DISCLAIMER: this blog has been written by a second year structural engineering student that has YET TO work in an engineering environment. The contents of this blog are based on the conversations they had with graduates, company representatives, engineers working in the industry and through extensive research done (scrolling through websites lol).
Welcome back engineers! I am very glad to see you all here on the second post. Hopefully you have all read through my first blog that was an introduction to me and my very awesome degree. Most of you loved Mishki’s appearance on the blog (some of you also didn’t know I can draw? come on guys engineers can do other things), so she will pop in the photos here and there.
Anyways, as I had promised in the last blog, this blog is a more in depth explanation of structural engineering and what they do. I will also touch on how it is like to work as a structural engineer and all about the industry. So let’s get into it!
The Work of a Structural Engineer
As I mentioned in my last blog, civil engineering as a whole focuses on designing and building cities. Within that, structural engineers have a more specific role: they focus on the actual structures in a city (no surprise there, right?). When I say “structures,” you might first think of buildings, but there’s more to it than just that.
Structures can be any load-bearing elements that need to be analysed and designed using scientific and engineering principles to ensure they’re safe, functional, and durable. Some examples of structures include:
The possibilities don’t end there. Structural engineers can even work on building aerospace machinery, though that’s a less common path. Still, it highlights just how broad the field of structural engineering really is!
Structural engineers carefully evaluate many aspects of a structure, particularly the different stresses it may face over time. This includes the constant weight of the structure itself (dead loads), the changing forces like people or vehicles (live loads), the horizontal pressures from wind or impact (lateral loads), and the intense forces caused by earthquakes (seismic loads). By analysing these factors, structural engineers ensure that structures are not only strong and durable enough to withstand various challenges throughout their lifespan, but also designed to fail in the safest way possible if they do collapse.
So, I hope by now you can see just how important the work of a structural engineer is! Whether you’re reading this from the comfort of your home or driving across a bridge (please don’t read while driving!), you can thank a structural engineer for making sure the ground beneath you is safe and stable. And of course, let’s not forget all the other hardworking professionals who also played a part in designing the structure you’re on. It’s always a team effort!
Structural Engineering in the Industry
Now that we got a nice clear overview of what you can expect of a structural engineer, let’s take a peek at what we are all studying for. To graduate and do what we enjoy the most, engineering! (and make money)
There are tons of different roles and jobs you can have with your structural engineering degree. The civil engineering industry is quite vast and is one of the engineering specs with the most job vacancies. Which makes sense if you think about it. With the rapid population growth and industrialisation, will come an increasing need for infrastructure. So if you are worried about not finding a job, that is not gonna be an issue in structural engineering!
As the one spec that will actually go outside and touch grass (no shade software), you can imagine the typical day for a structural engineer is anything but boring! One day, you might be in the office, running complex calculations and reading through structural drawings to design a new structure. The next, you could be out on-site, overseeing construction and ensuring everything is being built according to the regulations and the specified designs.
Now, in New Zealand specifically, the jobs taken by structural engineers can be divided into two main categories: contractors and consultants.
Some of yall may have heard of contracting and consultancy jobs already, but for some of you guys (like me a few months ago), you probably have never heard of it! Regardless, contracting and consultants both work together to deliver projects that satisfy the client’s needs, stay within budget, and adhere to health and safety regulations!
Lets dive a bit deeper into the differences between these two roles:
Consultants
- Role: They provide expertise during the design and planning stages of a project. They analyse, design, and assess the structural components of buildings, bridges, and other structures.
- Responsibilities: Consultants focus on the safety, stability, and compliance of the designs. They perform calculations, create detailed plans, and collaborate with other professionals.
- Interaction with Contractors: They often oversee the project during construction to ensure the contractor follows the design specifications. They may also be involved in resolving any issues that arise.
Contractors
- Role: The contractor is responsible for the actual construction and execution of the project. They take the designs and plans created by engineers and architects, and they turn them into reality!
- Responsibilities: Contractors manage the construction site, hire and supervise workers, procure materials, and ensure the project is built according to specifications, within budget, and on schedule.
- Interaction with Consultants: Contractors work closely with consultants during the construction phase to address any issues that arise, ensure designs are followed, and make adjustments if necessary.
Keep in mind that the work of these two roles go wayy beyond what I have mentioned. I have met contractors that do a bit of consultancy work, and vice versa. Again, the opportunities for a structural engineer are soooo vast that I am not too sure if I have that much information about it myself. If you don’t know which one you vibe with the most, don’t worry as you have 800 hours of practical work to complete (it’s both a blessing and a curse), so you have time to experience all structural engineering has to offer before you graduate. And if you like neither of these roles, there are so many other jobs you can take with your structural engineering degree that I haven’t even covered! An example being a project manager!
Bringing it All Together
There you have it! That was a whole lot of information (1k words apparently), but STILL was not all that is to structural engineering jobs. What I want you to take away from this blog, is not only the introductory bits to structural engineering and the work you will do as one, but the very fact that engineering as its own goes so wide and beyond. You may be asking how I know so much as a second year student without a single internship experience? The answer to that is:
“Just go to career expos and club events.“
– Sonia, the wise
Literally. Just connect with industry experts and ask. Worst comes to worst, they hate you and they ghost you. Which is unlikely to happen since they came to these expos to help you and introduce their company to you!
Anyways, hope you enjoyed this long blog and I hope to see you all on the next one. Until then, have fun with 101 and 131 and have a slay rest of your two weeks.
– Sonia <3
ong sonia ur such an amazing inspiration ty for this cool af blog i have actually learnt heaps!!! huuuge respect and appreciation to ur role and the effort for this post, can’t wait for the next issue!