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81%
of CEE students have paid summer internships lined up during their junior year
79%
of CEE alumni who have been working in the field for 1-3 years are very satisfied with their job
74%
of seniors receive job offers prior to graduation
What do civil engineers do?
Civil engineers plan, design, construct and manage major public and private infrastructure and facilities, including buildings, roads, airports, bridges and water treatment facilities.
Types of jobs:
- Structural engineer: Design buildings and infrastructure to be resilient to natural hazards, such as earthquakes.
- Water resources engineer: Manage the water supply for human consumption, environmental demands, agriculture, energy and fishing.
- Transportation engineer: Keep goods and people moving by solving transportation challenges.
- Construction engineer: Design and manage large-scale construction projects.
- Geotechnical engineer: Ensure the stability of built structures by defining soil and foundation capacity and/or assess landslide and slope failure risk.
What do environmental engineers do?
Environmental engineers utilize scientific and engineering principles to improve the quality of the environment. They safeguard the world and its people from environmental impacts caused by natural and human activities.
Types of jobs:
- Air pollution control: Reduce, eliminate and mitigate emissions into the atmosphere of substances that can harm the environment or human health.
- Water and wastewater engineering: Design and operation of systems for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater management; Forecast water supplies, control flooding and manage water resources.
- Environmental sustainability and industrial ecology: Re-engineer industrial processes, infrastructure and energy production to incorporate circular economy, resource recovery and green design.
- Waste management and site remediation: Ensure the storage, treatment and disposal of municipal and industrial wastes, and oversee resource recovery.
Providing students with an exceptional academic experience is a hallmark of the CEE Department. From smaller cohort-style classes to award-winning teachers who know students’ names, the personalized approach is appreciated by students. In a survey, 86% of recent graduates rated their time in the CEE department as either good or excellent.
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Explore more about CEE
Faculty
From teaching awards to research breakthroughs, CEE faculty are high achievers. They also have high standards when it comes to preparing students for a successful future.
Research
CEE faculty and students conduct cutting-edge research on a variety of topics, and are committed to designing solutions for the future by addressing pressing societal needs.
Investing in internships
Every summer, CEE students gain valuable experience, from learning technical skills to solving new challenges to making connections in the field.
Student clubs
Students join UW chapters of professional organizations such as American Society of Civil Engineers and Engineers Without Borders. They also participate in competition clubs such as Concrete Canoe Teamand Steel Bridge Team.
Study abroad
Student spotlight
Peter Yu
“The CEE department offers many opportunities in all areas and is very flexible in allowing students to explore their engineering interests. Most importantly, the department is devoted to helping students succeed and reach their full potential.”
Nancy Le
“I am very much looking forward to the cohort model. The program I came from, STARS, also is based on a cohort model and I very much attribute that kind of structure to me being able to make so many close and dear friends.”
Adam Bogh
“The CEE community is impressive. I greatly appreciate the job and internship opportunities that are relayed to us often and the availability of staff to discuss anything that is needed.”
Career fairs
Setting students up for success is a priority of the CEE Department. To help students make valuable connections with industry representatives, two annual career fairs feature a variety of employers, from construction to transportation to environmental engineering firms. Held on campus in the fall, the events allow students to explore internship and job opportunities.
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Undergraduate admission
Learn about the application process, including the many pathways for admission. We look forward to having you join us in making a difference in the world!
Undergraduate advising
Questions? Reach out to our undergraduate advisers for answers and to learn even more about the CEE Department.