Civil Engineering, a dynamic and indispensable field that shapes the very fabric of our modern society. Rooted in a rich history of innovation and development, civil engineering plays a pivotal role in designing, constructing, and maintaining the infrastructure and systems that enable the functioning of communities worldwide. From towering skyscrapers that define urban landscapes to intricate transportation networks that connect regions, and from resilient water supply systems to environmentally conscious waste management solutions, civil engineering is at the heart of it all.
At its core, civil engineering encompasses a diverse range of disciplines, each addressing unique challenges to ensure the safety, sustainability, and functionality of our built environment. This field engages with complex considerations such as structural integrity, environmental impact, resource efficiency, and societal needs. Civil engineers are problem solvers, combining their technical expertise with creativity to craft solutions that withstand the tests of time and contribute to the betterment of society.
Below, three civil engineering students from the University of Notre Dame discuss why they chose the field and what they love about it.
Joan Deitsch
Deitsch chose civil engineering after she was involved in the Envirothon competition, a natural resources management competition during high school. This exposed her to soil science, which quickly became one of her favourite school topics, but she also really enjoyed her math classes.
By the end of high school, Deitsche was looking for something that could combine her interests. From here, her dad suggested civil engineering. Once she looked into it she soon decided this was the field for her.
“All infrastructure, everything civil engineers work on, rests upon soil and is influenced by the soil structure and properties at a particular site. In this way, I could keep my interests in soil alive, but also study the math and engineering processes that I had come to love,” she explains.
Finn O’Reilly
Going into University, Finn knew that he wanted to be an engineer, but had not narrowed down which type of engineering he wanted to pursue.
Commenting on this he says: “I found each engineering discipline interesting and unique so it wasn’t really until my engineering discernment class in the fall of freshman year where we were introduced to the various disciplines in this course.”
He can remember being drawn to civil engineering; “I loved the idea of working on large scale projects such as buildings, bridges, and roads and learning how those massive projects came together from the design phase all the way to the completion of construction.”
Overall, O’Reilly felt like civil engineering was the major in which he could see himself best using his skills to be a force for good by working towards providing safe infrastructure for his surrounding community.
Liz Chen
For Chen, civil engineering incorporated all the aspects of engineering and design that she loves. “I love the idea of being able to use my technical knowledge as well as my creative side to build fantastical structures in the future,” she explained.
“I really like that by becoming a civil engineer I will design structures that are tangible and that I will be able to look back on with pride.”
Chen had always been interested in building structures in which people live and thrive. As a kid, she loved building little houses and buildings with LEGOs. The interest in building structures never faded and that is why she is now pursuing a major in civil engineering.
