Learn some effective ways to prepare yourself for a career in academia as a civil engineer, from updating your skills and building your network, to showcasing your portfolio and preparing for interviews.

Understand the difference between tenure-track (TT) and non tenure-track (NTT) positions. A TT position requires a PhD and typically an outstanding research track record. Getting tenure will be challenging, but comes with the reward of a more permanent status at the University, as generally 9 months of the salary comes from 'hard' money. NTT positions are often either teaching focused or research focused, and occasionally balanced between the two. NTT positions are easier to obtain, and are probably best pursed through professional networking. The primary disadvantage to NTT positions are that they are funded with soft money and can therefore come and go at moment's notice with changes in university leadership, funding, and enrollments.

What are some of the most effective ways for civil engineers to transition to academia?

If you are a civil engineer who wants to pursue a career in academia, you might wonder how to make the transition from industry to teaching and research. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, there are some effective ways to prepare yourself for the academic world and showcase your skills and knowledge. Here are some tips to help you make the switch and succeed as a civil engineer in academia.

1 Identify your goals

Before you apply for any academic position, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and why you are interested in academia. Do you want to teach undergraduate or graduate students, or both? Do you want to focus on a specific area of civil engineering design, such as structures, transportation, water resources, or environmental engineering? Do you want to conduct research and publish papers, or collaborate with industry partners and apply for grants? Having a clear vision of your goals will help you tailor your resume, cover letter, and portfolio to the expectations and requirements of different academic institutions.

Add your perspective

Bill Buttlar, Ph.D., P.E.

Founding Director, Missouri Center for Transportation Innovation at University of Missouri-Columbia
(edited)
Report contribution
Understand the difference between tenure-track (TT) and non tenure-track (NTT) positions. A TT position requires a PhD and typically an outstanding research track record. Getting tenure will be challenging, but comes with the reward of a more permanent status at the University, as generally 9 months of the salary comes from 'hard' money. NTT positions are often either teaching focused or research focused, and occasionally balanced between the two. NTT positions are easier to obtain, and are probably best pursed through professional networking. The primary disadvantage to NTT positions are that they are funded with soft money and can therefore come and go at moment's notice with changes in university leadership, funding, and enrollments.

Like
ELTAYEB ABUAGLA

Lead Civil/Structural Engineer @ ILF Consulting Engineers CPEng-SEC | PMP® | PMI-RMP®| LEED® Green Associate. Pre-Masters in Construction Engineering Management.
Report contribution
Transitioning to academia from a civil engineering career involves: -Obtaining advanced education: Pursue a master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant field. -Building research experience: Engage in research activities and publish papers or present at conferences. -Networking with academics: Attend conferences and connect with professionals in your field. -Gaining teaching experience: Take on part-time teaching positions to develop pedagogical skills. -Collaborating with academics: Work with professors or researchers on projects or publications. -Staying updated: Read journals, attend conferences, and participate in professional organizations. -Developing a teaching philosophy: Align your teaching style with academic expectations.

Like

2 Update your skills

While you might have a lot of practical experience and knowledge from working as a civil engineer in industry, you might also need to update your skills and qualifications to meet the academic standards. For example, you might need to obtain a PhD or a master's degree in civil engineering or a related field, depending on the level and type of position you are applying for. You might also need to learn new software, tools, or methods that are relevant for civil engineering design in academia, such as simulation, modeling, analysis, or optimization. You can update your skills by taking online courses, attending workshops, or enrolling in certificate programs.

Add your perspective

3 Build your network

Networking is essential for any career transition, but especially for civil engineers who want to enter academia. You need to connect with other civil engineers, professors, researchers, and students who can offer you advice, support, and opportunities. You can build your network by attending conferences, seminars, webinars, or events related to civil engineering design, joining professional associations or societies, reaching out to alumni or mentors, or participating in online forums or groups. You can also use social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or ResearchGate, to showcase your work and achievements, and follow and engage with influential people and organizations in your field.

Add your perspective

Angello Murekye

10+ years experience | Pavement and roadway engineer + leadership roles at a national road agency and private firms operating at up to $1B+ annually with up to 1,400 employees | Designed and reviewed 100+ miles of roads
Report contribution
Regardless of your location, whether in the Americas, Europe, Asia, or Africa, the role of having the "right" network linked to your target institution cannot be overstated. This can be looked at in two ways: the academic community for a given sub-discipline is usually interconnected and people prefer to work with people they know or presume they can know. Starting with connectedness, people working in say water resources or roads in a particular country are typically well-known to each other and are likely to prefer potential colleagues who are recommended or mentored by people from this inner circle. You can be strategic as you pursue your advanced degrees and postdoctoral training to penetrate this inner circle.

Like

4 Showcase your portfolio

One of the most important ways to demonstrate your value and potential as a civil engineer in academia is to showcase your portfolio of projects, publications, and awards. Your portfolio should highlight your skills, knowledge, and experience in civil engineering design, as well as your creativity, innovation, and problem-solving abilities. You should include examples of projects that you have completed or contributed to in industry, as well as any papers, reports, patents, or presentations that you have authored or co-authored. You should also mention any awards, honors, or recognitions that you have received for your work. You can create an online portfolio using platforms such as WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, or use a cloud-based service such as Google Drive or Dropbox to store and share your files.

Add your perspective

5 Prepare for interviews

The final step to transition to academia as a civil engineer is to prepare for the interviews that you will face from potential employers. You should research the institution, the department, and the faculty that you are applying to, and familiarize yourself with their mission, vision, values, and goals. You should also prepare answers to common questions, such as why you want to work in academia, what are your strengths and weaknesses, how do you approach teaching and research, and what are your short-term and long-term plans. You should also prepare questions to ask the interviewers, such as what are the expectations and responsibilities of the position, what are the opportunities and challenges of working in the department, and how do they support the professional development of their staff.

Add your perspective

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Premjit Vasudevan

Co-Founder @Civilera | Leading Structural Consultant and Educator, mentoring over 10,000 students to master structural engineering with expert-led ETABS and STAAD Pro courses
Report contribution
You need to develop methods and communication skills to ensure an end result to the students. How you transfer your knowledge matters and that needs not just knowlede but a method

Like
Subramanya S Bharadwaj

Retired Civil Engineer
Report contribution
Engineers who have worked on different projects have abundant knowledge about various aspects of that field. They can go as visiting faculty if not looking for a permanent job. They can collaborate with academic institutions in various research projects to solve our real world situations. If you are strong in the subject, there won’t be any difficulty in teaching (conveying what you know/ have learnt) the students.

Like

What are some of the most effective ways for civil engineers to transition to academia?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your goals

2 Update your skills

3 Build your network

4 Showcase your portfolio

5 Prepare for interviews

6 Here’s what else to consider

Civil Engineering Design

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Civil Engineering Design

More relevant reading

What are some of the most effective ways for civil engineers to transition to academia?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your goals

2 Update your skills

3 Build your network

4 Showcase your portfolio

5 Prepare for interviews

6 Here’s what else to consider

Civil Engineering Design

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills