Some possible jobs within this career area are:
Depending on whether you attend a technical college for a vocational certification or a four-year college to earn a degree, there are a variety of certifications and degrees offered to students who focus on technology. You might opt to major in a field such as engineering, mathematics or programming. Be sure to consult your school’s course catalogue to determine the best program for your needs.
Among the certifications and degrees offered for the technology field are:
- Vocational Certificate
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- PhD
Information technology career paths are accessible within a wide gamut of career training or education levels.
If time is important, you could finish a technology program at a vocational college in just a year. But if you’re willing to invest more time in your education, you could earn a Bachelor’s Degree in four years or less. Remember that many companies structure their pay scales based on education level.
How to Become a Civil Engineering Technician
A civil engineering technician career may be for you if you're interested in city planning. A civil engineering technician is also known as a civil engineering tech and typically works with a civil engineer in planning and overseeing the construction of bridges, roadways, sewer systems, buildings, and other structures. Planning includes activities such as estimating cost and selecting materials for construction.
A career as a civil engineering technician can also include the collection of data that will be used in planning. For example, a civil engineering tech could be assigned to monitor traffic patterns to plan for new thoroughfares.
Training Required for a Career as a Civil Engineering Technician
To become a civil engineering technician, you will likely need an associate degree or other postsecondary education, although it is not a strict requirement. Most employers, however, prefer candidates with formal educations because candidates without degrees typically require more on-the-job training than candidates with degrees. Students interested in careers as civil engineering technicians or civil engineers should take science and math classes in high school.
College coursework for civil engineering technicians include trigonometry and algebra, therefore a strong math background in high school can help pave the way for a successful career. Civil engineering technicians are typically closely supervised initially, but they can gain more independence over time.
Colleges that offer degrees for civil engineering technicians are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). These accredited programs require two additional science courses in addition to the trigonometry and algebra requirement. There are currently about 700 programs from institutions that have ABET-accreditation. Internships and summer employment can give you an edge by providing you with the experience and on-the-job training that employers prefer in their candidates.
Civil Engineering Technician Salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median civil engineering technician salary is $44,300. Civil engineering technician salaries vary, however, by industry. For example, the median civil engineering technician salary within the architectural and engineering services industry is $43,900. (Salary data retrieved 7/10/11)
To get the training you need to become a civil engineering technician, find a degree program now!