There are several types of civil engineering employers. The table below explains the different types and what they look for in civil engineers.
| Contractors |
| Description |
Traditionally manage the construction work on site, develop and design construction processes and techniques and supervise a professional team. You'll probably be based in the UK but could be working on a project based anywhere in the world |
| Criteria |
Projects often require you to be mobile. You must be willing to work very intensely at times |
| Examples |
Balfour Beatty, AMEC, John Mowlem and Company |
| UK/Regional contractors |
| Description |
A large number of less well known small and medium sized employers operate on a local basis. |
| Criteria |
Good all round knowledge. Early responsibility and contact with senior management. Good chance to gain specialist knowledge. But you may be the only recent graduate |
| Examples |
Essex Highways Contracts, Lilley Construction |
| Local authorities |
| Description |
Investigate the need for roads, bridges, tunnels and then maintain and manage the structures once they are there |
| Criteria |
A desire to contribute to your local area and an understanding of local issues |
| Examples |
Local authorities e.g. Cambridge County Council, Birmingham City Council |
| Consultancies |
| Description |
Concerned with the design and planning of projects and their effect on the environment. You will spend most of your time in an office environment. |
| Criteria |
Commercial awareness, analytically minded, detail design, you might also be expected to use CAD software (computer aided design) |
| Examples |
WS Atkins, Arup, Mott MacDonald Group |
| Specialist consultancies |
| Description |
Focuses on services and solutions involving a particular civil engineering discipline e.g. geotechnics, transport, and environment |
| Criteria |
Good technical knowledge of your discipline. Chance to travel and work on diverse projects |
| Examples |
Marcus Hodges Environment, Geotechnical Consulting Group, Earth Tech Engineering |
| Clients |
| Description |
Regular construction clients (e.g. BAA) maintain in-house teams to maintain existing facilities and work on or supervise major projects |
| Criteria |
Good negotiating skills to close deals and organise contractors. You'll be responsible for spending large amounts of money but you'll need to keep an eye on project finances |
| Examples |
BAA, National Health Service, Highways Agency |