Civil Cadd

Do I Want to Be a Civil Designer

Civil designers use computer-aided design (CAD) programs to draft, scale, and fine-tune drawings and maps for roads, bridges, and other construction projects. They also assist project managers and engineers in determining material, labor, and other costs. Civil designers may work on a variety of specialized projects such as wastewater control, water supplies, erosion control systems, underground utilities, or traffic management. Civil design jobs can require a combination of office and occasional field work, depending on the project.

Many designers work for architectural and engineering firms; competition for jobs in this specialty can be fierce, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the job market for drafters in general can be affected by the expansion or contraction of the economy, just like other occupations related to the construction industry.