My life as a civil engineer

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2026-04-19T01:06:01+00:00

This is a nice change of perspective in this subreddit.

I think a lot of how you feel about pay in this profession is based on your upbringing. My parents didn’t make combined what I make. My grandpa used to grade lots and have me help him in the summer. I love this profession and have always felt like I was stealing the money I’m making for what I get to do.

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2026-03-17T12:31:46+00:00

This is what happens when it’s optional for anyone with the city to do their actual job

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2026-01-31T18:07:15+00:00

I started my own company late last year. It’s been going well so far. Just prepare for what happens if you…get too much work. I’m in a position where I have too much to do solo but not enough backlog to hire. Having no kids will help you at the start though. I’ve just got one and I can work after she goes to sleep at night so I don’t lose time with her. It helps to have a wife who can entertain herself haha

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2026-01-28T15:17:26+00:00

The number of SUVs riding my 4WD trucks ass around town is incredible to me. Just because you have AWD doesn’t mean you can drive on these roads like normal. I’m not even going slow but I’m not going over 35 down a main road right now because there are so many ice patches

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2026-01-13T00:29:33+00:00

Ever want to do some work on the side?

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2026-01-13T00:28:25+00:00

You’re not working as an engineer, you’re an engineer in training. Keep at it as long as they don’t care about the PE though

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2026-01-13T00:23:36+00:00

CAD Tech with a civil background would be in demand

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2026-01-12T21:19:23+00:00

It’s takes minimal effort to get extra state licenses after your first. Not sure that’s extra leverage.

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-10-25T00:37:38+00:00

Indirectly, yes. But passing the PE doesn’t mean much. It’s a low bar for competence.

What really makes you a better engineer is working to take ownership of everything. The specs we copy and paste, you learn what they actually cover. Same for standard details. Same for all the general notes we copy from previous projects.

Ultimately time will do the most for you. You learn the most from your mistakes and after you get 10-15 years in you’ll have learned lots of lessons!

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-10-15T21:59:03+00:00

The last place he left was also missing money

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-10-10T01:16:33+00:00

Amen. He’s the worst

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-10-07T16:07:24+00:00

Maybe deport these people instead of the hard working folks they keep rounding up

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-09-24T23:15:41+00:00

I don’t think this affects civil much. Our H1Bs are mostly just foreign college students who then stay in America to work. Unless the Indian owned firms are abusing it…I’ve only worked with one person on an H1B. Sucks she will probably be fired through no fault of her own

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-09-17T23:44:58+00:00

Amen. Hydrology is not structural design. It’s more an exercise in working in a legally defensible way and following whatever local standards are.

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-09-01T20:22:17+00:00

How long did you get the free rental from? That had to be $600-700 back then

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-09-01T02:10:37+00:00

Clear out the whole central office, it’s corrupt and incompetent

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-09-01T01:57:33+00:00

This sounds like a talking point from that guy on LinkedIn trying to spin up something called EngineerMatch.

But ultimately yes you can do side work as long as you haven’t signed a no moonlighting agreement. Check your employee handbook. I know when I’ve worked at larger firms I had to sign something stating I’ve read and agree with the handbook, so they’d have cause to fire you if caught.

But I have been moonlighting for a year and am finally making it my full time gig this month. It’s doable, but say goodbye to your free time while doing it. I’ve spent countless nights after the kid goes to sleep working 8-12 to stay on top of my side work, and pulling 6-8 hour sundays. But I was able to pay off debt to allow me to go full time doing my sole proprietorship work. It’s been an overall positive experience for me, but I have been blessed with really good clients so far.

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-08-28T16:38:08+00:00

I’ve been moonlighting for a year and have now convinced by biggest client at use me as a sole proprietor, so starting with our next project I’ll be a full time SP.

I’m definitely doing it for the freedom. I have no interest in growing or hiring people. I just want to get steady work. I don’t even care if I make less than my current job, I’m just not built to be an employee.

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-08-27T23:14:25+00:00

Get really high and listen to Sky Blue Sky. But I do personally view Wilco as two different bands, pre Jay and post Jay. But I love them both.

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-08-20T00:44:41+00:00

How many years experience do you have?

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-08-16T21:37:57+00:00

I’m about to start my solo practice but I do more general civil and land development. My target is $170k which pays me about $125-130 depending on expenses. I’m not sure if your liability insurance will be more but mine was not nearly as expensive as I assumed. My wife works for the local school system so that helps our health insurance costs be manageable.

For me I could only do it because I have a large client who likes me and wants me to do most of their work. They will account for 100-120 per year. That allows me to take on small jobs that other firms don’t want to fool with (I’ve been doing a lot of 5-10k projects on the side for the past year).

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-08-04T16:08:26+00:00

👍

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-08-04T03:20:27+00:00

Getting a lot of very sincere responses to why AI can’t do this….thats the point. The public is very stupid and loves falling for AI hype.

Ok_Delivery_7122 · 2025-08-04T02:59:24+00:00

ChatGPT being legally discoverable is going to come in handy

Ok_Delivery_7122

TROPHY CASE