Is civil engineering a tough major? What do civil engineers do in reality? Do they need to be under scorching sun that often? I'm about to choose this major but I'm not sure whether I can survive throughout the whole course. I'm a moderate student who happens to be lucky enough to get straight A's in the recent A-level exam. And I'm a female, so I quite care about beauty, hence the sun can be an interference, but once in a while staying under the hot sun can be forgiven, just not too often. I happen to be interested in studying civil engineering because I like building structures, and I plan to major in structural civil engineering. I don't want to regret my life. So any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Though I am not a civil engineer, I am sure you will do well if you have the passion. You need field training in your early part of your career and as you progress you will have more shade than sunshine.
Nowadays, there are little things that men can do that a woman cannot do!
Go for it.

If you want to be a civil engineer go for it, you will regret it more if you can't do your dream job. I choosed to study mass communication, I know most student from mass com grad get very low payment/salary than others yet I still choosed it because I love writing, media related things. I think I will enjoy my job more than doing a job which I don't like no matter if I'm paid more or not..

Being an engineer could be frustrating obviously tough work, but if you have the passion and you really want to do it..you can do it...and come female survive in lot other fields haha engineering not that tough..

read here about engineer what they do etc http://www.princetonreview.com/careers.aspx?cid=36

Since you quite care about beauty, you can study for Architecture or Quantity Surveying which is related to building too.

Study Architecture, it inolve design for building n mostly working in the design office

Well you can go for it. But be prepared to "turun padang", so if you care about your look, toilet, work with smelly workers at site, it will not be comfortable
for you.

As an engineer even in the design/R&D, there will be instance you need to be at site.

Unless you really look for job that only sit in the office but this will limit your working field and your potential.

Nothing can stop you to choose this field a d female can too perform better but you might need adapt well to project site.

This post has been edited by Newsray: Mar 30 2013, 09:55 PM

If u can work with bangla till 2-3am alone..yes..go for field experience..if not go to developers and consultants..

I've thought of architecture but it involves drawing and I don't think I have drawing talents/skills. Quantity surveying is my second choice but I thought QS need to go to sites too?

This post has been edited by Mindy93: Mar 30 2013, 10:13 PM

Civil involves drawing as well, or rather, most engineering courses involve drawing. One thing to note is that civil engineering is a very rough field, perhaps second only to oil and gas. Sure you can cope with something like that?

//// tell you ... there are cases where engineers get killed at the field. beware or if you passionate enough to accept the challenge, just go for it.

site visiting is extra experience either during practical time or working. you have to know the exact situation at the field and only then you could make a proper design.



This post has been edited by work_tgr: Mar 31 2013, 12:13 AM

ahah man I'm bangla too..anything perticular that you did not like about us ?

i had a school frnd who took up civil engineering after her school and came to know now she is working with the govenment and doing great..

not only in civil, but in any engineering will do if you have the passion and guts working with harsh male-oriented environment.

slightly off-topic, currently, my gf is the only female manufacturing engineer in her factory. Other women are basically clerks or just operators.

I did not say I don't know what a civil engineer do. Direct it to TS who will appreciate it more.

Erm.. I'm not sure whether I can cope with the working life of a civil engineer. I know it's a rough field, but I'm kinda interested in it, or at least for now coz I haven't tried it. Who knows in the future I might hate the job. I've been in this dilemma since after my SPM and now it is time for me to decide but I'm still indecisive. I really don't want to do something that I don't like for the rest of my life.

you can probably start with foundation or diploma in engineering then start with bachelors degree, when it's time to do major I bet you will have lot more idea about it and you will be able to choose what major you wanna do

I already got my A-level results so now I need a degree in engineering..

Just go with your heart. Its not that bad after all. Finally word of advise. 2sen worth.
If you dun really enjoy the site work, do one year site exposure then sit back in your office
doing design and calculations for another 3~4 yrs. Fill in your records and sits for your PI.

Bear in mind at least 1 yr site experience before your PI else you will be later.

I spent 15yrs at site and even now I still visit them as often as possible as its part and parcel of my profession.

Are you 100% certain with your design and can sleep at night without a single thought it might fail ?

REMEMBER failure can be catastrophic and might be landed in deeeePPP SHIT as long as I live !

I used to tell all my interviewees for they are the next wave after myself to be in the Board and must be
responsible in all their works certifications.

For there is a saying... # Big power comes with big responsibilities, it's my destiny and curse #

Thanks for your opinions. They're really helpful. I guess I'll opt for the office works if possible.

I see a lot of female civil engineers around, some quite pretty too but too bad I no chance already.

I from the design office, but I do go down to site for inspection during casting, launching etc. My GF always complain I am fairer than her so you can judge how much sun I am exposed to. Long sleeves, pants then with the helmet sun burn should be minimal, maybe an umbrella if you want. Since you are a girl, the RE and contractor will take good care of you.

Job wise it is not hard. Deadline, pressure every job also have. Have to keep in mind what you do can hurt or kill people, waste people's money if done wrong, so be responsible.

My site inspection is considered as site experience and no comment from interviewers during the PI. Maybe you can do the same if don't want to be based on site. Maybe subangman can give his view on this.

Good luck and welcome to civil engineering.

I always have the opinion that those who do not want to dirty their hands, or get drenched by rain storm, or have their backs under scorching sun, should not venture into engineering.

If TS wants to work in the office ALL THE TIME, away from mother nature, there are plenty of careers that fit that description.

Executive Tea Lady is one of them.

This post has been edited by Stamp: Apr 4 2013, 08:52 PM

Thare are now hundreds of female civil engineer in JKR, and of course they are surviving ......

In the 70's in UTM , there were girls doing civil engineering.

I have a cousin working as a civil engineer with 5-year experience, initially with consultant firm , now with

property developer.

Civil engineer is further split into design engineer, site engineer and QA/QC engineer. Site engineer and QA/QC engineer will be always at site. Design engineer 90% of time in office and occasionally go to site to understand how site works and the difficulties face in site if follow your design. You cannot escape from going to site as a civil engineer. There are a lot female engineer but for sure, you need to work hard to earn respect in this field. Gender discrimination do happens in this industry. This is due to female civil engineer tend to give trouble (more requirement) compare with male engineer who only focus on work ability (as long it works).

SITE inspection / meetings / troubleshootings CANNOT consider as the 1year requirement under the book.

MUST FULL TIME at site .. Clock IN & OUT.

FYI I pernah kasi one of a female candidate keput in her PI in this condition for she fail to answer
back 80% of my site related questions which one cannot learn in office.

This post has been edited by subangman: Apr 7 2013, 09:47 PM

DISSIDENCE! Its all voice down personality. I have seen very hard working young female engineers
and lackadaisical male engineers as well.

The only hurdle might be is the normally site work is sweat, rain & dust while office is constant
air con.

Mmm... the last time I read the Act it does not say must be full time on site though... Section 22(1) like that. But different people has different opinion la, luckily did not meet you haha .

Say if the candidate can answer all the site questions but never based full time on site? Can get through?

This post has been edited by JohnJon82: Apr 7 2013, 10:13 PM

Can, if you are smart enough. Most of the time cannot as not many people can imagine things at site without exp it. I have seen people with very good imagination who can imagine how the works carry out based on photos taken on site, learn from discussion with site engineer and etc. So without going to site, he/she still can get "site" experience. Then you can write it in you PE exp log and answer interviewer question remarkably good. Of course, this type of people is minority.

If the sub committee allows one sit for his/her PI; we interviewer will accept/respect the committee
decision.

But certain questions pertaining to site can be only answered back if ones is full time or spent hell lots
of time at site.

Very hard working young female engineer = give more requirement and tighter specification to the contractor = cause delay of works = giving trouble to everyone

Lackadaisical male engineers = failure engineer...this happen to both gender

In civil engineer field, IMHO, hard working is not enough. How to be a smart engineer is important. I have seen hard working but not smart engineer, in the end works keep delay even he/she working day and night. My field (geotechnical) require creativity as well due to a lot of uncertainty in soil. Of course, if TS have a choice, don't choose civil engineer... This field is spoil....work and paid is soooo low....those developer not willing to pay the consultant fee and don't mentioned about the JKR standard fees.....

If you love intense pressure from client/boss, chasing deadline, OT everyday, challenging works, continue study journal, paper, standard after graduate then yes, come to civil engineer. It will satisfy your need.

i'm more concern about integrity rather than hard work.

hahaha... if a photo can shown then it will be a straight forward Q&A.

They shall be a very diminutive yet has great impact towards the final output of the product
if they are not look into it properly.

Example :-

A design engineer will only draw two straight lines or a square box for a RC column. How can we ascertain[U] that the final output is going to be within the allowable tolerance and what are the tolerances ?

They shall be plenty of Q&A related to your submission writeup and normally your PI interviewers are
those very well verse in that field.

This post has been edited by subangman: Apr 7 2013, 10:44 PM

Ya agree. Its always the responsibility of the interviewee to convince the interview panel that he/she is competent in every aspect to be a PE. Thanks for your view.

Engineer main concern is not delay of works... Safety is your main concern even if it caused delay, money or even your job. Injury or life lost you cannot pay it. Over specification that one is another issue.

What do you mean by "creativity" ah? Modify parameters to match the instrumentation results? Modify parameters to make it pass?

This post has been edited by subangman: Apr 7 2013, 11:16 PM

Creativity means design something that not publish in any text books or standard. As an engineer, you should not modify parameter to make a thing pass unless the modification is based on publish standard or any qualified publish journal that suit the condition. I doubt your qualification as a PE if you don't know this.
There are a lot of geotechnical design require very strong basic knowledge in order for you to design something that are extra ordinary new to the industry. There are a lot of engineers does not have strong fundamental, thus they cannot do something new. Especially something that not in the standard. For example, design pile cap using bending theory, lateral force from the structure should end inside the soil not pile cap, joint between retaining wall with slab is pin joint not fixed joint if only dowel bar is used, what does M/z means in BS code, etc. Lack of creativity means lack of competency.

SAFETY CANNOT BE COMPROMISE!

READ the guidelines. " to discharge duties DILIGENTLY ". and dun try to push to God.

You may have your rights to claim what is right or other wise. This is not kopitiam !

When things turn nasty DUN HIDE for there will be another Board to scrutinise all your works and prepare to face the music if duty not done diligently !

Civil is not like others .... we carry the burden for life upon putting our dobby & signature.

The PI is more to differentiate the teenagers from the grown up. Any wrong move might be catastrophic.

This post has been edited by subangman: Apr 7 2013, 11:42 PM

- Stringent specification could lead to unnecessary requirements that need to be met.
- Very obvious you are not working in Malaysia consultant. A lot of kiasu engineer out there who will not teach or guide even you ask. Not everyone is lucky. Luckily i am not one of them.
- Very obvious you are not in geotechnical field. And I am saying in geotechnical field. When you are dealing with KL limestone, there are no statistic. This is due to karstic formation of Limestone.
- Just my 0.02. No offence. But almost all consultant feel the same way as I do. The only motivation is passion.
- My profession fee is 5% of the project fees. This is quite standard fees for geotechnical consultant in KL. And my projects are not small scale project. But compare with contractor.....
- As I mentioned, the only motivation is passion... A good engineer should have integrity, this part I agree fully.

FYI, all my designs are all based on strong fundamental and proven. This is engineering all about. Honestly, I hope the board can stringent the rules and regulation. If the failure is proven due to designer fault, the designer should sentence to jail.. I hate those designer who keep get away from justice. Kind of pity those victims. When you work with a good fundamental team, you will learn in a right path like I do.

If your fundamental is good, nothing can beat you. Your example is an easy question too. Just check whether the extra moment due to deviation can be taken by the column. Of course, I understand this is just an example.

I know bah. I was curious about the creativity pic mentioned. First feeling is just whack any value to make it pass.

Very hard to find someone so on now. Chop and sign one a lot, like a pure business like that.

Man those diligent value get stronger with age, maybe appreciate meaning of life more when I grow older.

BTW. I think I am out of topic. So TS, if you really interest in civil engineering and have passion then enroll into the course. Gender discrimination will have in these traditional jobs. But it is not so serious when you deal with higher education people as they hide them well. When you deal with some layman, then sometimes they tend to scare you with some vulgar words etc. I am not trying to scare you, but this is what happens in the industry. My old classmates also have ladies. Some become a good engineer through hardworking and some give up in the middle. Going to site is unavoidable, but not need to worry as sometimes it could be a great experience too.

aaaAAAAHHHHHH.. Siew Mei ! Let UNKEL enlighten you. I am not here to show stripes.

From the what you wrote you have not seen the global picture rather than just a tiny specialist trade angle.

Time to take on the high seas if you are not happy.

5% from the scope of work is the norm for geotech engineers. What else you expect 2% from the total contract ?!!!

Normally the specialist consultant will envy the lead consultant and the lead will jealous over the main contractor and main contractor will try to be the developer.

Let me enlighten you. Can you stomach what you swallow? Every level have their risk and can you handle the risk?

FYI; I've been working in kampungKUL for near to 20yrs aldiri + overseas.

From a climbing the corporate ladder to partnering a design office; main contractor, designer and contractor.

Completed and commissioned near to MYR 2 Billion worth projects; Mega/Big/Mid and small; Prvt/individual and government; conventional / design & build as well.

At the end of the day ... I still need to work and face the music for any mistake.

I used to tell lots of keyboard warriors .. wan a good pay profession... try politics.

this is what a typical design engineer will answer not from a site engineer.

Seem like you are younger than me..... I just trying to show you a bigger picture. If want talk about experience, then I have more than 30 years. I may not working in overseas, but I take overseas project and do locally. I am not talking about jealousy or anything. I just talking about facts. Fact hurt, I know. 2 billion MYR is not big project. We have project 10 time more than that too. Consultant overhead is high too. Local consultant growth have been limited due to a law where consultant cannot be public listed. BTW, I would like to stop argument as this is out of topic. If I hurt your feelings, I am sorry for that.

- My profession fee is 5% of the project fees. This is quite standard fees for geotechnical consultant in KL. And my projects are not small scale project. But compare with contractor.....

When you said this, you are a PE? Sure ah or trolling?

This post has been edited by JohnJon82: Apr 8 2013, 12:32 AM

I am fine for there is also another mountain higher than one... old cina ah pek saying.

Wonder are the (10*2billion) worth projects under your scope of work or its the total project value?

May be I am too naive not knowing any foundation project worth MYR 20billion; may i know what's that state of art project?

TQ.

Another keyboard warrior.... 30yrs experience as Geotech engineer in KL and a lady.

Nobody fits in the circle for all SR Geotech gurus in town are MALES and I personally know few of them as
this is a very limited area. Wasting time what another lawyer buruk !

Lol I also very curious of the 20 billion project...

And 30 years exp... Assuming you grad 20+ You around 55? Seems very good in computer for that age...

Bending theory is a structural analysis for pile cap to obtain maximum moment and shear same as beam theory. I have seen structural engineer is not aware of the lateral load thing. If you are a "design standard" based, then you can't use passive resistance in your pile group analysis. It is stated clearly in BS. You are right about the dowel bar. But sadly, there are a lot who don't know. M/z is not Mz....If you have doubt about me then I also cannot do anything about it. But I have 0 trolling post in this forum so statistically I am clean.

I mean total project value.

I never said I am a lady...did I?

YES indeed ... all my peers dun be bother to get involve in forum as waste of time and effort.

They may be few very good in but IT no way they into forum as none payable for knowledge exchange
and the worst is our BP getting higher from each reply.

I normally dun be bother to answer any unless I see a pls and thank you in their posting but i love to take
head on any fighter after my postings.

The lateral forces must be resisted by passive resistance offer from the soil... just have to consider the pile group effect of the overlapping stress bulb... Where the lateral force go then my senior fellow engineer if can't use the passive resistance? Btw, BS which clause say cannot? Where you see this M/z, which clause?

not all civil engineer need to go work with bangla. u can involve with design team tat only stay in office do design/ procurements etc. only apply when u managed to get into international company... so far many local company require u go site lor.. haha

my gawd! TS is just asking a general question on whether civil engineering field is suitable for her or not...and some of u guys are giving horror stories and untruths when u don't even know what a civil engineer do...and also some who just wanna tunjuk pandai to talk technical stuff and BS shit

civil engineers generally either work on the site or office based....it's actually ur choice which u would wanna pursue...although in general the lady engineers tend to be office based, doing design either in structure or infra works....being office-based, there will be times when u will have to go site either for meetings, or inspections...and that is actually good for u....there are things that u can only learn from site, and not from doing design in the office.

TS, if u have the passion to pursue civil engineering, it's actually quite a rewarding career....but u must be strong-willed and hardworking to succeed, just like any other profession out there...being a lady does not put u in any disadvantage compared to the men civil engineers, from what i see anyway....there are many capable lady engineers that i've come across dun be frightened by the thought of having to stand under the hot sun everyday for long hours....in reality, u will more often be under the sun when playing sports than when u'r at the site...good luck in whatever u choose

This post has been edited by Pliskin: Apr 8 2013, 01:14 AM

Eh you know any Malaysia civil / geotech engineering forum or not? Those with good knowledge people inside, not like this self claimed 30+ years exp 20 billion project senior here. The things he said sounds like blowing water, at first its like a graduate engineer, then suddenly become 30+ years exp... no comment on his fundamentals...

females can survive in whatever field they choose.

Don't talk nonsense and scare her away, picfantasia. What you said is very insulting for female. I am not an engineer but I have close family friends who are that work with my dad for his projects. They are very respectable man, they don't talk like that. What you said here made engineers sounds sexism to the public. You want to give your name? I will like to file a complain to the engineers board about you disgracing them if you are a PE. Even I know a PE is bound by his/her code of conduct by the board, and you of 30 years exp don't? Claiming to be a PE when you are not is very serious and illegal by law. Either way you have conducted fraud. I will pass this thread to my uncle and see what can they do about you.

For the others, subangman and johnjon, good for you two for defending your and the other engineers' reputation but your effort can be better spent else where.

Thanks for all the replies, although I don't really understand some of them, as they are quite detailed. Lols
Thanks for the good advice and your time. I appreciate them very much.
I think I will most probably pursue this course, as it is what I have always wanted, if I'm not mistaken.
It's just that I am not too confident about this decision and my future life if I was one.