Phase 5 · Month 9 onward

Get Into the Industry

Get paid work in civil engineering while you study. Experience is required for the license anyway.

Entry certifications (paid, optional)

Cheap, fast credentials that help you get hired. Many employers pay for these after hiring you — ask before paying yourself.

0/3

Earn an OSHA 30-hour Construction card

milestone~30 h

Start here

Earn ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician Grade I

milestone~20 h

Start here

Earn a NICET Level I certification

milestone~30 h

Start here

Start as a technician — you'll learn more on a real project in a month than a semester of reading.

0/5

Target roles: CAD/BIM drafter, engineering technician, survey tech/rod person, materials testing tech, construction inspector, estimator assistant
Employers: state DOT, city/county public works, consulting firms, contractors, testing labs
Resume: skills + certifications + portfolio link at the top

Write a one-page resume and put your portfolio link at the top

build~3 h

Join ASCE (free as a student) and attend 2 local branch meetings to network

milestone

Start here

Apply to 20 technician/drafter roles (internships count)

milestone

Get hired in a civil engineering role

milestone

Start a weekly experience log (projects, tasks, supervising PE) — boards ask for this

milestone