It’s difficult to enter any industry today, but building a civil engineering career presents a unique set of challenges. While you may have studied this discipline anticipating a bright career if you put in enough hard work and dedication, there are other obstacles that may prevent you from achieving your goals.
The job market is very competitive, so even if you have enough skills and background experience to qualify as a prime candidate, you may not be able to make your dreams a reality, at least not right away. Even veterans of the industry are feeling the pinch, and may have to readjust the way they work as a result.
So what do you do? You can keep trying on your own, but you might want to consider working as a contractor or consultant. Engineering recruiters can be valuable partners for launching this phase of your career. These companies work with you to maximize your potential and put you in touch with the right clients. Whether you’ve had a civil engineering career for decades or you’re just starting out, recruiters can give your career the boost it needs. Read on to find out how.
They Let You See Whether Consulting and Contracting Is Right for You
As the saying goes, you can’t knock it until you try it. Even if you’re not cut out for contract work, engineering recruiters can help you realize that in a way that won’t harm your career. On the other hand, if you thrive as a consultant, these firms can give you the tools you need to build a name for yourself.
This is especially useful for professionals that specialize in particular fields that may represent a niche in civil engineering. Managers may not want to hire one of these workers as a full-time employee, since they will probably only need this expertise for short, specific periods. This makes it difficult to find a traditional job, but recruiters can put you in touch with many different companies so you can keep working. Not only will this get you clients when you need them most, but it will also help you develop a reputation that you can then leverage to get more work. In the end, engineering recruiters can play an essential role in building a name for yourself.
They Give You Necessary Industry Experience (at Higher Pay Rates)
If you’re just starting out, it can be hard to build the network of professionals you need to make the most out of your civil engineer career. This can impede your opportunities and stunt your experience.
Recruiters can help you find contracts that will put you in touch with major industry players and help you develop your expertise. Best of all, because you don’t get the benefits of a standard employee, you will usually get paid at a higher rate.
They Allow You to Explore Different Engineering Cultures
It can be difficult to evaluate whether you want to work with a given company before you’ve gained experience with them. That’s because you don’t know where you’ll fit in their organizational structure.
Contractual work is thus beneficial, as it allows for a flexible and fluid working environment.
With a civil engineering career comprised of contract work provided by engineering recruiters, you get to choose with whom you work. As a result, you’ll never get stuck in a negative work environment.
To read more on this topic, check out these related blogs:
3 Reasons Why You Should Become an Engineer
4 Hiring Tips from an Engineering Recruiter
4 Trends to Watch in the Engineering Industry
5 Careers in Engineering That Best Suit Your Skill Set
