Why NOT to Major in Civil Structural Engineering

[@buddhiesharma2843]

Every field has pro and cons. But be proud that you are structural engineers 💪

[@BrandoDennis]

Honestly being a structural engineer sucks. Super underpaid and overworked smh thinking about switching to software 😢

[@daveh9941]

@@BrandoDennispeople that haven’t worked the industry don’t understand how bad it is. The whole business model needs to change. How that happens, I don’t know

[@SO_SELL_ICE.]

Raise your bar & ask for money!!!

[@svoids]

Since when has structural become a career for money? It's a life saving profession.

[@ammarwaraich3356]

Great video. As someone in consulting within the Civil Engineering realm - I agree with all your points. Have to have a genuine passion for it in order to succeed long term. Certainly in consulting time management is the biggest skill that is utilised. Have to be a pro at managing multiple projects whilst being technically competent and efficient. Could be very challenging for a grad in the beginning but very rewarding once you get used to it. Although the learning never stops and there would be always new challenges, you just get more comfortable dealing with it and working under pressure as you get more experienced.

[@BEngHielscher]

Thank you and thanks for sharing this!

[@A.Hisham86]

Well, in my country Algeria, civil engineer is the best domain someone can engage to make a career, a good payment, a lot of projects.

[@fortniting]

Salam aleikoum, I'm also algerian can i contact you i got soem questions because im a student!

[@Tom-qo7ry]

Once you get 10+ years of experience and become professionally qualified, you can start your own firm. Most employers pay quite low compared to what you could get working for yourself

[@Xailow]

The pay is lower because the employers also have to pay the overhead for you the you'll have to pay when you're on your own.

[@Tom-qo7ry]

@Xailow true, the overheads for a sole trader are much lower, while the risk and stress are much higher

[@ogtripleg9237]

the dream

[@billj5645]

The advantage of working for yourself is that you get paid for your expertise. If you work for another company your salary after 10 years is not much higher than what the company has to pay for new graduates but you can do the work 2 or 3 times as fast as new graduates can. If new graduates were paid for what they were capable of doing the pay would be so low that they would never go into structural engineering. My pay after 30 years is only about 50% higher than what new graduates are offered but I can do more work than 3-5 of them. All of the people with 10 years of experience starting their own companies is why engineering fees are so low- they need projects so they will do projects for lower than any other company so fees can be low due to this competition.

[@rfehr613]

In the private sector only. It's virtually impossible to start a new firm in transportation. You need to start a DBE firm to even stand a chance. Contracts in transportation are far too big for anyone to just up and start a firm on their own.

[@svoids]

Structural engineering is by far the most beautiful spec in my opinion. Everything you do has practical implications and real world consequences. You the same liability for human life as do doctors, and in many cases a strcutral failure is much more catastrophic. I am actually proud to bear so much responsibility wtih my designs because that tells me I'm making a positive impact on society. Not to mention, the theoretical complexity and elegance of the theory we are taught, how everything ends up fitting together like a jigsaw puzzle from connection design to seismic and gravity just amazes me. Our specialisation is as old as time and will continue to be indespinsable to humanity. Proud start working soon.

[@ddaaam]

hi, i’m a highschool student looking to study civil engineering,. Structural eng looks really interesting and I consider myself a responsible person. But considering the scale of consequences of a structural eng, it scares me . Should I be actually worried about this aspect? Any advice on someone like me that is considering civil/structural eng?

[@svoids]

@@ddaaam Hi, not at all, most countries have well developed building codes that ensure a reasonable factor of safety. In practice, your work is also very likely to be peer reviewed. Finally, it depends on the scale of the project you work on (you will obviously start by designing simple structures). Your responsibility will grow as you gain more sign-off authority as you take and pass licensing exams.

[@svoids]

@@ddaaam So to answer your question. No, because structural engineering failures must be avoided at all costs (see turkey earthquake), there are ample measures in place to prevent them if the designer follows code. Good luck

[@nicolasnepo9243]

Thank you for your videos. I’m a civil engineering student, and still deciding which path I’m going into. I really like structural, the challenging projects and the constant and necessary learning in the industry.

[@BEngHielscher]

My pleasure! I hope my videos are giving you a good taste of what structural engineering is like as to help with your decision :)

[@miggygaluza9234]

Me as a current 4th year Structural Civil Engineering student, I say I agree with everything engineer Hielscher mentioned hahahahhaa

[@JanIncognito]

My wife’s a registered architect and every item that you pointed out applies to her field as welll: deadlines, constant problem solving, endless liaising with builders and low pay compared to effort. A lot of her peers simply go to project management to earn double the pay for a fraction of the accountability that architects and engineers deal with. Cruel world out there…

[@billj5645]

Architecture has the same problem with deadlines and manhour requirements as the engineering that goes into the same projects but architects have a lot more control over the fees. The architect is at the top of the food chain, they collect the entire fee, then they give out small amounts of the fee to the consultants that work for them. The architecture firm working on a building can easily collect a fee for themselves that is 6 times what the structural engineering fee is. I think our fees were typically 1/10 of the total design fee that the architect collected. I was going to suggest that you ask her how much fee her company gets for a building and how much of that fee they pay to the structural engineer but that reminds me of an even more depressing thing. The real estate agent that sells the building gets the same amount of money that all of the architects and all of the engineers got for designing the building. Large buildings can take 50 people 6 months to design and in a few weeks a single real estate agent can get the same amount of money just for selling the building.

[@kiprro]

100% agreed

[@Alpha-Scythe23]

@@billj5645I honestly can’t stand that, I truly believe we can fully Automate the real estate process; real estate agents imo have the lowest set of skills that’s just my opinion.

[@joaquinfabrega]

I am a registered civil engineer with 35 years in the field, solving problems is part of the trade. Payment is a matter of free market, experience and knowledge, by the way not every country is equal.

[@industrialarts3921]

I think a lot of this applies to more commodity type engineering services. Ie: Basic structural engineering of standard buildings. You can make more money if you work for a more specialized company. I work for a company that designs and builds custom marine heavy lift equipment. We get payed a lot more than what a conventional engineering company would offer. It's also a lot more interesting because every project is different. Honestly, as an engineer, I wouldn't recommend working for an engineering firm.

[@LifewithAlelee]

Would you recommend interning at them though?

[@industrialarts3921]

@@LifewithAlelee As an intern, you sometimes have to take what you can get. I wouldn't be quite as picky. I would recommend a drafting job if you can get it as an intern. CAD skills will get you a long way in design.

[@LifewithAlelee]

@@industrialarts3921 thank you!! 🙏 I switched majors and now I’m like 28 and not done yet so I feel so far behind. I appreciate the advice!

[@amazingchittesh]

Feels like I am kinda late to know this

[@maliktouqeerphull1856]

So am I 😂

[@ODIN-jn7tj]

So am I 😂😂😂

[@sohailshaikh7733]

Same here

[@lolollhe3361]

Guys don't worry, I've gone a down a rabbit hole of this ooo civil engineering is the worst major ever when i started college, why havent i gone in computer science etc. but now. I LOVE IT. I would'nt have it any other way, once you actually get to starting solving structures and understanding what you actually are doing, for me it was around 3rd yeard out of my 5 year college.

[@ralphbroeils1760]

Civil/Structural work is very gratifying and real. Some disciplines never really "see" the final product.

[@DeepakKrishna11]

very well put together video mate. Keep going.

[@BEngHielscher]

Thank you!

[@ralphbroeils1760]

Contractors immediately want to start work once the deal is made. This means producing site stabilization drawings and design right away. A clearing and grubbing set of drawings may precede the grading and stabilization. I always took a preliminary set of sheets to the city or county for a cursary review. This inclusion of the city/county will payoff in getting the permitting for grading and drainage. This design activity gets the civil and structural engineers time to begin further design. Exciting career although pay is not as good as other disciplines and schedule is tight at the first of the project. A good site survey and site borings are needed right away if not already performed. Civil engineers have a love/hate relationship with their careers. Mine was more love than hate. Retired in 2016 as a registered professional engineer doing both civil and structural engineering.

[@davidg3944]

Did you have to deal with any builders changing the materials or sizing of elements that you specced? That would drive me to drink...

[@ralphbroeils1760]

@@davidg3944 Fortunately I had very little that was slid under the radar by contractors. I did have a contractor that wanted to use a lower strength concrete than what my referenced state standard sheet required for a particular box culvert. He had a recently issued update of the standard that specd a lower strength. Wasn't on my radar during earlier design. Kudos to contractor.

[@DarkCastleBoy]

But if there is a reason to major in it must be - it's the only easiest branch compare to others coz we can see our work whereas EE CSE and ECE can't see the Computer Electronics and electrical activity going on. Another reason it's one of the oldest and vast branch so getting job becomes easier coz u can work in many different sectors coz every sector comes under Civil Engineering

[@engrxtn]

We civil engineers should join together and stop designing/working until we get better salaries. The world runs on civil engineers…without us…society wouldn’t be able to continue as is. We are way underpaid…

[@MrNoBrainsYT]

You would have saved my life if you posted this like a 4 years back. Now I just graduated in civil eng and my whole life has become a mess!

[@davidnamasaka3436]

A mess why? I just started my program

[@manikandannj5890]

Change if possible. Civil engg is dead.

[@stevesanders4427]

my undergrad degree was civil engineering ... and while co-oping at CBI I realized once projects are over you're expected to move to hopefully another project. Anyway, I went on to med school ... now I live where I want to.

[@shubhamsahu2847]

How did you do it please enlighten me

[@prantikhuq578]

You're a hero, bless you .

[@dawn_alex]

Why bro, were u considering to join civil? I am considering.

[@ankave_designs]

Struggle is there during initial phase but experienced structure engineers makes good money.

[@billj5645]

I've been in engineering for a long time. Structural engineering is project based and engineers have no control over deadlines and fees. Deadlines and fees do not represent the amount of work involved, one project can have twice the amount of work required as another project but for the same fee. A lot of labor is involved to achieve the results, it's not like a job in sales or management where the amount of work can be reduced, and it isn't like a job in manufacturing where you just raise the price of the product periodically. Because of the constraints on fees there isn't much money available to pay high salaries. I disagree about the workload- I've seen times where 60 hours per week was minimum and 80 hours per week was frequently required.

[@ncascadehiker]

Good to hear the Australian perspective. Same as the US.

[@CivilTechSource]

I personally disagree with many points. The majority of the jobs out there are deadline based as you agree a timeframe with the client. If the company has not allowed for site inspection within their fee then its on them. Now, If there is a design change you can always go back to the client and request additional fees if done correctly and the original fee proposal sets it out clearly. The only reason I would advice someone not to do civil engineering is that if they have aspirations for a 6 figure salary (at least in uk), it is almost not achievable unless they reach director level. Keep up the good content.

[@industrialarts3921]

If you're doing cookie cutter engineering work it won't pay very well. If you specialize, and do more blank sheet design your services are more valuable.

[@coniston3106]

I would love to know how to deal with difficult clients or dodgy tradesmen & builders, how to communicate properly or any tips on it. If you haven't made a video on it, I think that might be a good idea. Thanks Ben!

[@modernhomedesignn]

I completed my graduation in civil engineering.and I live in Bangladesh. Here I don't have any engineering code to design the structure. Because my university is new. That's why even if I can design, I have no legitimacy in this country. I've always wanted to be a designer and since I'm not getting this opportunity I've lost my way. Now what can i do, try any other country for masters.

[@tealkerberus748]

If your country doesn't have its own codes, the quick solution is to import some - and yell at your government so they'll approve whichever country you imported the codes from.

[@veena777]

What a useful video It really help other people those who are studying Engineer 😀😀😀

[@maliktouqeerphull1856]

Why not you 😊

[@DanildFlamme]

At 4:44: "and the Builders decided to use a different size of timber and grade than the one you've specified". Isn't the builders held responsible for not following specifications? I mean, the specifications are made for a reason.

[@BEngHielscher]

That happens very rarely, unfortunately. More often than not, the engineer will need to do extra work to ensure that the structure will still be ok. Another reason the engineer ends up doing this work is to maintain the relationship, as the builder can be your client

[@DanildFlamme]

@@BEngHielscher Ah I see. So it is kind of a bit of "free service" to the customer in the case where the builder is the one paying your bills. It still sounds risky though, because if the new size and grade won't be able to handle it, then you end up having to be "the bearer of bad news", that their changes is going to be a problem, and then you really have to be creative I guess. I am still only 2 years into my civil-engineering degree, and I will probably focus more on the utility-oriented path, water-lines, heating, etc. ... But that will probably have similar challenges I guess.

[@Benjiaboy]

As someone who majored in civil engineering, passed the PE Civil structural exam, and worked in the industry for now going on 7 years from graduating, I can say that majoring in civil engineering is one of my greatest life regrets. If you like the lowest pay for the effort you put in, this in the industry for you. There is no money in the design side of civil engineering. Most of my peers in my graduating class in college went on to start work as "Project Engineers" for construction companies, which isn't a real engineering job if you think about it. Personally I'm trying now to make the career switch into tech. I discourage anyone for selecting civil engineering as their major. Plenty of better STEM/non-STEM majors to choose from.

[@asuribh]

im in my first yr of college as a civil engineering major is it that bad? What engineering major should i switch to???

[@deadly7]

im studying computer science at the moment. But I find the prospect of designing + building Bridges and skyscrapers very alluring. And there is quiet a lot of money in it if you work in private companies like Arup no?

[@JohnTrava-vg9cs]

As a structural PE I would disagree. I think the career is rewarding and you can make really good money after you’re licensed. We get to help people and solve problems every day and even get out of the office once in a while.

[@yajjs_06]

The 4th reason hits home 😭

[@recker5180]

why don't civil engineers charge a fee every time time a change is made by the builder whether it is a minor change or major change. I mean if your doing extra work might as well charge for it.

[@BEngHielscher]

A big reason no fee gets charged is to maintain good relationships with clients/builders as good relationships and reputation often leads to more work

[@billj5645]

It's supply and demand- there are an excess number of companies out there willing to take the project if you won't do it. 50 years ago it was different, engineering companies were in demand and they had the power to charge extra for things like this. There was a big recession without much construction and engineers lost that power, they had to beg for every project they could get. With the push by colleges to graduate more and more engineers the market is flooded with engineers and there is so much competition that fees get pushed down.

[@ralphbroeils1760]

@@recker5180 that decision of extra charges or extended schedule is left to project managers. Most companies fold if there is "scope creep" or changes to the schedule. There is so much competition out there now over new work.

[@ralphbroeils1760]

Everything you do for a client is marketing for the next project.

[@radomirsretenovic8492]

After 35 years of structural design experience I wouldn't change. Our job if far more complex then Electrical or Mechanical. Just compare structural drawings against electrical. I guess somebody doesn't like that.

[@kurtsalm2155]

I agree. I was always amazed at how EE's and ME's could get by with simple diagrammatic drawings with schedules but little or no detail. Structural drawings have to be representations to scale with numerous details for connections. Every floor needs its own plan with every member size called out. Every beam, column, slab and truss, etc. must be drawn and specified.

[@veena777]

Awww what a wonderful information loved it so sweet of you😃😃😃😘

[@BEngHielscher]

Thanks :)

[@cometface]

This dude got his job snatched on Indeed or LinkedIn and decided to make this video to cut off the competition lmao. Don't worry I'm going to be the best civil engineer in Arizona and I'm going to create safe and affordable housing for the middle class and create safe, friendly architecture for the houseless. No more spiked platforms and arm-bar park benches for Phoenix AZ :D

[@rabinbashyal763]

hey bro, i am from nepal and completed my high school in civil engineering major ... now i am on the application process for bachelors(undergrad) in civil and i am so much confused where to go in which state in USA ..... please help me out

[@michaelweyenberg6238]

The best projects are the ones where you get though 100% CDs and it never gets built. But CA is more fun, you get to engineer on the fly and come up with unique solutions. Real problem solving skills.

[@anubhavthakur2030]

As a 2nd year I am just praying for myself

[@aiteginalymzhanov713]

Which subject do you think would be more useful for a civil engineer, computer science or chemistry?

[@daxisperry7644]

This may sound like an odd question. But would it be a reasonable goal to Stick with smaller projects like residential and small steel structures and just work for yourself? Like writing up plans for builders. My thought is I’d like to keep it a small as I can while being able to make decent money.

[@daveh9941]

The race to the bottom affects that too. You’d be surprise how many people think that $500-$1000 to design a house is a reasonable fee, when it should be more like 5-12k depending on the complexity. People will pay 300k for renovations and expect us to design stuff for nothing. It’s a terrible career imo

[@shivamannan]

Its was a very interesting career. But i found frustrating to see small changes keep happening and the we have to re submit entire revised calculation even though it may not change any thing structurally. It wont be accepted even though all of us know there is more than 2 times safety margin is provided in all designs. The learning curve takes years. But the new professionals tend to over rely on computer model and results forgetting to verify using simple hand calculations. I am from India.

[@idrisahmed2659]

greetings from India BEn ... what is the scenario like for structural engineers in australia ?? In terms of type of projects ... pay and work satisfaction ?? Im planning to study my masters in structural engineering in Australia from a good university. Or is a better idea to master in construction management rather than structures ?? would love to hear ur response on this. Btw great video

[@BEngHielscher]

Hi! The type of projects is going to depend on where you work, there’s lot of options here. Pay here is much better than other parts of the world considering our economy but isn’t that big. Work satisfaction is completely up to you, do you enjoy solving problems and being challenged? Construction management and structural engineering are two very different jobs. I would figure out what you would enjoy working in more

[@leoads]

I am a Civil Structural Engineer with 24 years of experience. Long story short, it does not worth it! Not even close to it. The amount of responsibility that you care is huge, and the market does not give the right value for that. Usually a Structural project is around 2% to 3% of the total cost of a construction, and you are responsible for the safety of that construction for the rest of your life. Realtors make 6% of the total sales price of a construction ever time they sell it (no matter how many times they sell the same construction), and their responsibility is zero. Not even care to know if everything is ok. A computer programmer or somebody that works in the high tech industry does not have something even close to our responsibility. Even though, they are paid more and have more market value. If you are a young student trying to decide if it worth, don't even bother, learn AI, or work for the high tech industry.

[@financewithabishek]

Can we start our own firm after getting the experience.

[@svoids]

What do you mean "not worth it, if everyone went for money, buildings would collapse.

[@Deniz06-n6m]

why you didnt quit then. 24 years?

[@chedanielmiyanwi6511]

I'm a Civil Engineering Student and I really wish to work with you.

[@Crunchy_Brunchy]

aren't 2 and 4 kinda positive though? I heard never bored for nr. 2 and slightly lower pay but no crazy hours for nr. 4

[@ninjaoftherift1620]

Im currently a computer engineering student i wonder if i would civil im 24 i started in web development but i realized ienjoy working hands on designing things and programming, computer engineering has lots of working hands on and programming but less design and i am misisng the design aspect. work theres only PCB design ik there is mechanical has design work but i have no interest in mechanical systems. I enjoy work life balance as well

[@richardboshielo1948]

What about utility orientated Civil Engineering path .....does it have as many challenges as Structural Engineering, (you think? )

[@tonyantonio2]

I work in electric utility and no architects, simpler problems, no MS needed, and higher pay. Just don't design buildings, uglier is better!

[@Adhil_parammel]

Architects get all perks of dirty works done by civil engineers.they have service brands.can take credit & negotiate well.

[@veena777]

Very interesting nice what a detailed information superb 😘😘😘

[@ammarsheikh7753]

Amazing I am recently graduated as a civil Engineer and now working as site/QSEngineer for a high rise buildings for about 6 months and wanted to switch to structural side, what are your suggestions to me? And thank you for these amazing videos

[@Civil6D]

great MY brother

[@BEngHielscher]

Thank you!

[@Civil6D]

@@BEngHielscher your Welcome ❤️

[@yadhukrishnan5838]

Hi bro, which is better career in bim or mtech in structure? Kindly reply, thanks.

[@omersahin5256]

Doesn't the fact that you need to redesign things again and again make you feel bored because of the monotonous work? I feel like saying, "Ah! I'm so sick of it. I don't want to do all of it again!"

[@thornmtsetfwa1155]

I have a BEng Civil Structural Engineering Too bad I am not yet employed 😅

[@veena777]

Awesome video 😘

[@husseindasilvamajid]

Which software is good for plans am a student civil engineering I really need to learn all this

[@timothysamuels8652]

I’m 27 should I study civil engineering

[@josippoznic2362]

Wohooo... 4:40 the builder changed something by himself (timber beam) and you are taking responsibility for it by checking it, without getting paid? Does not ring right... Great videos in general, keep it up!

[@_aloki_]

Can you please tell about the scope for fresher structure engineer jobs in Australia for foreign students

[@whssavy]

great video

[@BEngHielscher]

Thanks!

[@brahimadam1]

It's too late. Am in bro

[@BrianTheUnique]

Too late for me and my degree

[@picklerix6162]

Mechanical Engineers design weapons. Civil Engineers design targets.

[@billj5645]

The good part of that is once the "target" has been destroyed we get to design a new one.

[@akainu9598]

Not much paid, lost of responsibility. I cursed myself every morning

[@Hemanth9766]

It is one of the worst career in INDIA... I regret everyday because of this Degree even after graduated from reputed institute

[@Adhil_parammel]

Your not alone.

[@rabinbashyal763]

so what you recommend me to choose after my bachelors in USA .... currently i just passed my 12th with 82% in civil and i am onthe way to apply to USA for bachelors

[@EmmadCheema-gv6iu]

sounds fun

[@ibrahimalbaz2595]

you are lucky to be Australian, in Turkey we have so many civil engineers so the wages are pretty low, no jobs, and they make you work like slaves, if you have 5 years experience as a Civil Engineer in Turkey best case scenario you would be earning 1k usd which is nothing, unless your company make you travel abroad for a project, in Turkey you gonna have a hard time as a Civil Engineer, and working hours are extreme, not less than 10 hours a day.

[@maliktouqeerphull1856]

In your turkey situation could bad but in my country it's worst

[@svoids]

Your country seems to be failing civil engineers. That tragic earthquake should have woken the government.

[@alisharif1997]

Good man🕌

[@zacdraws2437]

too late

[@EMRANKHERALA-cb3ti]

That's weired why you are heating your major bro.

[@BEngHielscher]

Everything has pros and cons. I think it’s important to talk about both

[@steveclouds]

Are you the not so Civil Engineer?

[@SO_SELL_ICE.]

Ask for more money, Structural Engineers shall be paid more!!!

[@alisharif1997]

🏗️🏘️🏘️🏘️🏘️🏘️

[@alsimeone9688]

Engineering and Architecture are now one of the worst fields... end of the day you have no life and no money....

[@সবুজেরসমারোহ-শ৯ত]

Poor civil engineer...servents of Architects.......u only get job only for architects...they manage work for u..hahaha

[@adriansanchez4875]

nice try but I've already decided bruv, trying to keep all the opportunity to yourself? jp

[@FB-bf1ww]

I think one thing to note is that you are a structural engineer in a certain industry, seems like residential and commercial building design. I've been an engineer for just about 5 years, and I started out in a big corporation like yourself but doing specific structural designs for the government. After a few years I decided to get my license and therefore jumped into this industry working to the building codes etc. Unfortunately I'm discovering I may not particularly like it, and the idea of being a licensed engineer may not be worth it in my opinion. There's a lot of cookie cutting, engineers don't fully understand the equations they're using and they're just looking to hang their hat on something, etc. etc. I miss the days of truly designing members and connections piece by piece, not using tables and relying almost 100% on software to do literally everything for you. It's interesting but I guess we have to do what we like best. Thanks for video!

[@kurtsalm2155]

Construction administration is the worst phase of the project. This is the phase that is completely out of your control. If the contractor is creates a lot of problems, you have to put in more hours for meetings, phone calls and respond to RFI's (requests for information). You can budget a certain amount at the beginning, but it will rarely be enough compensation. Your project can be profitable up until construction starts, then the last phase will completely blow the whole thing up and there goes your profit!

[@kurtsalm2155]

What's the best part of being a consulting engineer? Ans: The clients. What's the worst part of being a consulting engineer? Ans: The clients.