The last few months have left the economy in an uncertain position due to COVID-19. Although some industries have seen heavy job losses and others are relying on government stimulus packages to maintain operations, industries like civil engineering offer hope for continued growth during tough economic times.
Civil Engineering Careers are Essential to Our Nation’s Success
Civil engineering is a pillar of the nation's economy, functionality, and growth. Civil engineers, environmental specialists, field technicians, and the many other professionals who work in civil engineering help maintain city utilities, design highways, and facilitate land development. They contribute to environmental safety and work to make communities function smoothly, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Because of these many roles in our local communities and in the nation, civil engineering is an industry that continues to grow. Our country relies on the work done by civil engineers, and this demand creates promising career opportunities.
Experience and New Funding Help Civil Engineering Firms Weather the Storm
Civil engineering careers are fairly secure due to the necessity of engineering services, but many are also more resilient after decades of experience with economic downturns. For example, Horrocks Engineers was founded in 1968 and has survived several economic declines during its more than 50 years of operation, including the downturn after Sept. 11, 2001, and the Great Recession in 2008. Despite economic uncertainty, Horrocks has grown steadily to support more than 600 employees in offices across the western United States.
Recent legislative actions have proved how important infrastructure investment is to rebuilding our economy. The Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act was approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on June 18, 2020. The bill was drafted and approved in hopes of reawakening America’s economy and will create millions of jobs and invest $494 billion into the nation’s highways, bridges, and public transit systems.
Civil Engineering Careers Include Multiple Disciplines
There are many projects throughout the nation and in our communities that require civil engineering, and the work to make these projects successful requires multiple disciplines and areas of expertise.
It is not unusual for civil engineering firms to offer services for transportation, environmental documentation, construction management, site and land development, water resources, utility design, and telecommunications, among others. These services require project teams with expertise in a variety of fields and with varying levels of experience.
Many Civil Engineering Jobs Can Be Remote
A big concern almost every business is facing during COVID-19 is how to keep employees safe and healthy while also continuing business. While not every job at a civil engineering firm can be done remotely, many jobs can be adapted for remote work. This flexibility offers security to employees who can continue to work during the pandemic with minimal risk to their health and the health of their families.
Remote work allows projects to continue toward completion despite the pandemic. When business does not have to stop, growth does not stop either.
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Join Our Team
Many people have found their professional lives disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Horrocks Engineers is still growing. If you are looking for a position at a civil engineering firm, visit our website to see the job openings we have available. We would love to help you build your career in civil engineering, so apply for a position today!