I really don’t like working in construction, how to salvage my career at this point?

[u/bloopity99]

I always enjoyed studying engineering, I was top of my class in a very competitive college, I have 3 years of experience post grad overall, first year post grad I was a researcher for the same university, water resources related. I enjoyed it very much but the pay was criminally low. Then I spent the following 2 years as a site engineer because I really needed the money and research wasn’t paying that much

I cannot put into words how much I dislike my current job, I don’t feel like I’m an engineer anymore, there’s nothing intellectually stimulating about my current job, basically my day consists of walking around and making sure the formwork is aligned correctly and check the reinforcement against shop drawing, or make sure things like painting and tiling are done properly, just the most boring and mindless tasks imaginable ( I don’t know if it’s common in other countries, but in my country civil engineers are also expected to watch over the finishing and fitting out)

I feel stuck, I don’t want to live like this anymore. the money isn’t that good either. I don’t think I can get any job that isn’t civil engineering related because I don’t have much skills outside of engineering. Is going back to academia a good idea at this point? What about water or geotechnical engineering, are they more technical?

Climbing up the ladder in construction doesn’t seem appealing because all of my seniors are mainly dealing with construction management issues like logistics and how to save money by getting the cheapest possible subcontractor etc, I’m looking for something more technically inclined

[u/withak30]

Apply for entry-level design jobs elsewhere. Your construction experience will be an asset, and people reviewing your resume/application will absolutely get "I want to work in design instead" as your reason for shopping around.

[u/John_54354 → u/withak30]

Yeah, I think applying elsewhere is probably the best move. Construction experience could actually help you stand out for design roles since you understand how things work in the real world not just on paper. And honestly employers will probably understand pretty quickly that you are trying to move into design.

[u/morras92 → u/withak30]

100% this. CAD is easy to learn as you go. Having construction/field experience is extremely valuable and what I always look for on resumes and what I recommend to any engineers still in school

[u/Low_Combination6954]

I’ve been in your position having had a couple of stints working for contractors. Really hated it for the same reasons you stated, so much so I wanted to quit the industry entirely. I just felt like I was constantly watching over people doing their tasks or reporting upwards about people doing or not doing their tasks. Absolutely mind numbing. I’ve since switched back to design and have been enjoying it a lot more! So maybe try a design office role?

[u/RomblerSan]

Water companies/their contractors would value cobstruction experience and could let you go into more technical design roles like hydrology, hydraulic engineering as well as standard civil design. I would say entry level as your experience isn't huge but you'd be a favoured candidate at that level I'd think.

[u/SentenceDowntown591]

If you’re going into geotech, with no geotech specific experience, be ready to be in the field for multiple years ( and probably with low pay) to even get your foot in the door

[u/Cyberburner23]

You're looking at it the wrong way. I'm also an inspector and do not like it either, but I'm not complaining. I see what I'm doing now as an opportunity and I can make of it whatever I want. I can see it as experience, or I can whine about it on reddit like you are doing. When the time comes I'll use the experience that I'm getting now to do something else. Engineering is not what most of us expected it to be while in school, that's for damn sure.

[u/ss219cc919]

If you can afford it, go get an MBA. Then you can go into business. Having the engineering background shows you are smart, a critical thinker, and have the ability to stick with and finish and a difficult degree. At that point you could do about any field you want.

[u/Linkcott18 → u/ss219cc919]

Or a Masters in an Engineering field.

I started an MBA because my boss wanted me to, and I hated it. The only class I liked was an modelling & analysis course for business folks, basically a light engineering class.

I quit, then later went back to do a Master of Science in Engineering

[u/PassedOutOnTheCouch]

You're an inspector which is an entry level role.  Contractors may title it as otherwise but the basis is verifying construction of the design.  The experience is valuable but the growth is limited. You either develop in the inspector role and slowly move up into a CM, or you move to the owners side and try for a Resident Engineer role, or you pivot to design.

[u/Crafty-Letterhead616]

There's plenty of technically inclined jobs in construction. While applying to design firms, try also applying for other roles, like estimating, inspection, architectural firms that work on site.

[u/Dannyboy_Desertrat]

Land Surveying is in the need of people, it's a great career if you like technical work.

[u/mylaundrymachine]

Go into laboratory testing then? Its still mind numbing but more technical in concept.

[u/Visual_Draft_7023]

Bro we are living the same life. Exactly how you put it is how I describe it. There’s nothing intellectually stimulating about being outside for 10 hours a day watching construction. I have decided to leave civil engineering as a whole. Wouldn’t blame you if you did same

[u/Live_Cucumber_4212]

This is actually a situation a friend of mine went through as well. His job was not only tedious, but also quite demanding during his first few years because he often had to work overtime. But he was willing to put in the hard work and, more importantly, he enjoyed learning and challenging himself. Within five years, he earned his professional construction engineering certification and gained valuable hands-on experience. That eventually helped him move into a higher-level project management role.

I think his experience may offer some perspective. Continuously learning, creating value, and taking on new challenges in your role is often the best way to grow and move forward.

[u/Basic_Vanilla_1540]

You sound like you think a bit highly of yourself. There’s tons to learn about tile placement, materials, new methods to confirm coordinates. You can make it boring or choose not to.

[u/Frequent-Emu7248]

I quit because of this except I did 11+ years and a PE in Construction even from an Owner/Owner's rep side as well as GC. I'd say it doesn't get better so you might want to get out.

[u/bloopity99 → u/Frequent-Emu7248]

What are you doing now

[u/Frequent-Emu7248 → u/bloopity99]

Got out of Engineering because it was too broad and nothing fit. Pivoted to education but not teaching at a college though it did not require a Master's. Lower stress but lower pay.

[u/dommikinzz → u/Frequent-Emu7248]

Any advice for getting into education from civil engineering? I am interested in this path, but only have my bachelor's

[u/bloopity99 → u/dommikinzz]

same

[u/Frequent-Emu7248 → u/dommikinzz]

I don't have a Master's I literally just looked at college postings and filtered out teaching positions. I was 20+ years out of college so I didn't have an in with any professor or anything like that.

[u/dommikinzz → u/Frequent-Emu7248]

What is your position?