You are not required to officially declare or follow an area of focus. However, many students are naturally drawn to one or more subdisciplines within civil engineering and want to tailor their studies accordingly. Many employers expect some level of depth/expertise beyond just the fundamental and proficiency courses. Even if you’re not fully committed to a single focus area, you may be able to narrow down your interests to two areas.
You may also want to consider your plans for graduate school. If you plan to get a master’s degree, you will have the opportunity to specialize in greater depth later on. If you plan to go directly into the workforce with your bachelor’s degree, however, your proficiencies and technical electives will have a greater impact on your job opportunities after graduation. Consider what knowledge base employers will be looking for, and how you will set yourself apart from other applicants.
Your faculty mentor is an excellent resource to talk about your interests and possible career paths. They can help you identify the best proficiency and elective courses based on what employers in the field are likely to expect from a civil engineering graduate. They can also help you sort through your options and prioritize courses if you’re interested in multiple subdisciplines. General recommendations for each focus area are also provided below.
