Quality control occurs in every sector of the economy, simply because products and services must be made safe for those who are going to use them, namely consumers and the society at large. Specifically, construction jobs focus on structures of buildings and roadways to make sure that they're going to be safe for use and won't be substandard. This is to safeguard people from possible injury because of collapse or other defects.
Civil engineers work to make sure that the built-up structures are safe. One of the most specific engineering jobs related to building structures is that of the structural engineer. These people are experts when it comes to building safe structures as efficiently as possible. In general, they work with architects who design the structures, such as bridges and tunnels. Nonetheless, they also try to do so as cost-effectively as possible so as to save money wherever they can, without compromising on safety.
The role of the construction engineer
Another type of quality control specialist when it comes to construction is the construction engineer. While the structural engineer works with the architect in the development of the structure, the construction engineer actually works on the construction of the project itself, once the planning and design stage is completed.
It's up to the construction engineer to decide what the best materials are for the project in question; this is so specialized because construction engineers must take into account the particular stresses these buildings and structures are going to undergo, such as if they are building a specialized building structure like a skyscraper. They may also work in tandem with civil engineers who specifically work in hydraulics, so that the buildings constructed don't interfere with existing flood control systems, canals or irrigation systems.
Above all, those who work in quality control for construction work to make sure that the resulting structures are safe, effective, and use the existing space as efficiently as possible. They also work to try to keep budgetary constraints under control so that the projects themselves don't become too expensive to build.
Education and background for construction quality assurance jobs
If you decide to get a job as a civil engineer or a similar position whereby you are going to have to be responsible for quality control in construction, you'll need a strong educational background in physical sciences and mathematics. You need to be both logical and creative in your thinking, be able to communicate well both in speaking and writing, and to be very organized and focused in your work.
Most construction engineers or civil engineers come from related backgrounds; you'll need a bachelor's degree in an accredited school that will qualify you for this position. You'll need to know and have studied structural design, stress analysis, flood mechanics, thermodynamics, and circuitry. Most of the time, you'll also need to have taken humanities and social sciences classes to complete your degree.
If you choose to advance in your career and are going to be overseeing others in quality control for construction, you'll also need a master's degree and in some cases, a doctoral degree.
After you complete your degree, you'll need experience in the field and a state license before you can practice for the general public. In most states, you'll need four years of work experience before you can take the licensing exam. Even after you become licensed, you'll need to continue your education throughout your career to keep up with technological changes and advances in your field.
Getting a job
If you want to work in this type of position, many of these jobs are available at the federal, state and municipal government level. You can begin by taking the civil service examination required for government work; once you've passed, you can check the openings listed at your state's government offices. Besides working for the government, you can also work for firms in architectural and engineering consulting, and you may also work for major manufacturers of construction-related products.
You can contact engineering or construction companies directly to find work. Trade magazines, Internet job banks, and professional journals and newspapers also list these types of positions.
As you move through your career, you can first focus on project management, then eventually may land up in an administrative position to oversee others, or you may become chief engineer at a large construction firm. Many construction engineers also eventually become self-employed once they've spent a significant amount of time in their professions.
Job outlook and compensation
These types of positions are relatively stable for the foreseeable future, although recent downturns in construction and in the housing sector, for example, will impact the amount of work available for construction engineers or related positions. As the economy improves and the housing crisis gets resolved, this sector of the economy and job market, too, will likely recover.
For construction engineers who work specifically on private housing or buildings, downturns can be expected seasonally, as is experienced by the construction industry in general.
Those who work in construction engineering earned approximately $44,000 a year as of 2004. Those with masters and doctoral degrees earned significantly more, approximately between $48,000 and $60,000, respectively.
