Studying Civil Engineering, what creative careers could I go into after graduating?
Hello, currently I'm in my second year studying Civil Engineering and I've realised that I would much rather work in something more creative than mathematical, while sticking in a field relating to structures in the future. I enjoy using design programmes, like AutoCAD, or just drawing in general. I'm not sure what I could try and head into, any suggestions?
(edited 1 year ago)
Original post by filthy
Hello, currently I'm in my second year studying Civil Engineering and I've realised that I would much rather work in something more creative than mathematical, while sticking in a field relating to structures in the future. I enjoy using design programmes, like AutoCAD, or just drawing in general. I'm not sure what I could try and head into, any suggestions?
Unless you're an analysis engineer, your job is unlikely to be particularly mathematically challenging.
What do you mean by creative?
Original post by filthy
Hello, currently I'm in my second year studying Civil Engineering and I've realised that I would much rather work in something more creative than mathematical, while sticking in a field relating to structures in the future. I enjoy using design programmes, like AutoCAD, or just drawing in general. I'm not sure what I could try and head into, any suggestions?
Other than architecture (you need accredited RIBA degrees), you can pretty much do any.
The general requirement for any creative job is squat. However, they do appreciate skills and experience. If you don't have any skills to show for it, you will struggle. You will have a lot of competition for the roles.
See:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-categories/creative-and-media
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/arts-crafts/job-profiles
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/design/job-profiles
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/fashion-textiles/job-profiles
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/games/job-profiles
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/performing-arts/job-profiles
I concur with @Smack, what do you mean by creative?
If you're looking for design programs and drawing in general, it sounds like architecture would have been a better fit. Having said that, you can also go into product design which uses AutoCAD as well (not a lot of maths involved).
Original post by Smack
Unless you're an analysis engineer, your job is unlikely to be particularly mathematically challenging.
What do you mean by creative?
What do you mean by creative?
You know how in most companies with the projects they have, they always have a conceptual design and they show it by creating digital drawings of what's planned? I want to use design programmes to do things like that, sadly I feel like my course barely teaches us how to use design programmes. Sorry if that doesn't clear it up!
I did originally apply for architecture, then switched to civil engineering before uni started because I thought I wanted to do something more maths based. For masters, I did consider courses like architectural engineering or urban planning but I'm not too sure if that would be the right thing to do if I want something more creative. I also considered interior design as a graduate job but I feel like that's too big of a jump, especially as I wouldn't have too much experience with things relating to it.
Original post by MindMax2000
Other than architecture (you need accredited RIBA degrees), you can pretty much do any.
The general requirement for any creative job is squat. However, they do appreciate skills and experience. If you don't have any skills to show for it, you will struggle. You will have a lot of competition for the roles.
See:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-categories/creative-and-media
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/arts-crafts/job-profiles
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/design/job-profiles
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/fashion-textiles/job-profiles
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/games/job-profiles
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/performing-arts/job-profiles
I concur with @Smack, what do you mean by creative?
If you're looking for design programs and drawing in general, it sounds like architecture would have been a better fit. Having said that, you can also go into product design which uses AutoCAD as well (not a lot of maths involved).
The general requirement for any creative job is squat. However, they do appreciate skills and experience. If you don't have any skills to show for it, you will struggle. You will have a lot of competition for the roles.
See:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-categories/creative-and-media
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/arts-crafts/job-profiles
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/design/job-profiles
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/fashion-textiles/job-profiles
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/games/job-profiles
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/performing-arts/job-profiles
I concur with @Smack, what do you mean by creative?
If you're looking for design programs and drawing in general, it sounds like architecture would have been a better fit. Having said that, you can also go into product design which uses AutoCAD as well (not a lot of maths involved).
Yeah haha I should have stuck with architecture but I think I was afraid of losing interest in art as a hobby, which I don't know why I thought that.
Product design seems interesting though! Is there any specific career I'd have to look for. Also, I thought about interior design as well but I don't know if that would be possible because as you said I have no experience. Is there any way I could develop those skills, such as by doing small courses?
Thanks
Original post by filthy
Yeah haha I should have stuck with architecture but I think I was afraid of losing interest in art as a hobby, which I don't know why I thought that.
Product design seems interesting though! Is there any specific career I'd have to look for. Also, I thought about interior design as well but I don't know if that would be possible because as you said I have no experience. Is there any way I could develop those skills, such as by doing small courses?
Thanks
Product design seems interesting though! Is there any specific career I'd have to look for. Also, I thought about interior design as well but I don't know if that would be possible because as you said I have no experience. Is there any way I could develop those skills, such as by doing small courses?
Thanks
Is there any specific career I'd have to look for?
Not sure, I think it's just product designer. The main employers tend to be manufacturers, and I think you would be able to get into the role if you just apply (grad schemes should accept you, but don't take my word on it). I prefer if you apply via apprenticeship after your degree though.
An alternative would be something along the lines of car designer.
I thought about interior design as well but I don't know if that would be possible because as you said I have no experience
Apply to work as a design assistant/apprenticeship and work your way up? I would put together a portfolio of ideas and stuff you have done e.g. with your own room.
Do note, interior design has no autocad. There is next to no technicality in the role, be it through drawings or planning. It's almost purely creative.
Is there any way I could develop those skills, such as by doing small courses?
For product design, I haven't seen anything credible on Google. Most of the credible courses would be degrees.
According to the following webpage, you can only become a product designer via apprenticeship or degree: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/product-designer (this makes sense because a random person could easily design a product that ends up being life threatening, so you want people to be qualified).
Interestingly, you can become a product designer with a degree in engineering i.e. the one you are on now.
For interior design, it's a dime a dozen. Having said that, interior design isn't a subject where you need a specific qualification for or you can acutely measure whether your skills are excellent or appauling. It's not like engineering where you can be objective and say either something is right or wrong. You can do a top end degree from the most reputable art school in the country and still be shot down by snobs. On the other hand, you can do a low end course, and produce work where people herald you as a genius.
According to the following:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/interior-designer
...you will find a link to the British Institute of Interior Design with guidance on the right qualification:
https://biid.org.uk/education-cpd/choosing-interior-design-course
There's no specific course or list of courses that you are required to do to become an interior designer.
(edited 1 year ago)
Original post by filthy
You know how in most companies with the projects they have, they always have a conceptual design and they show it by creating digital drawings of what's planned? I want to use design programmes to do things like that, sadly I feel like my course barely teaches us how to use design programmes. Sorry if that doesn't clear it up!
I did originally apply for architecture, then switched to civil engineering before uni started because I thought I wanted to do something more maths based. For masters, I did consider courses like architectural engineering or urban planning but I'm not too sure if that would be the right thing to do if I want something more creative. I also considered interior design as a graduate job but I feel like that's too big of a jump, especially as I wouldn't have too much experience with things relating to it.
I did originally apply for architecture, then switched to civil engineering before uni started because I thought I wanted to do something more maths based. For masters, I did consider courses like architectural engineering or urban planning but I'm not too sure if that would be the right thing to do if I want something more creative. I also considered interior design as a graduate job but I feel like that's too big of a jump, especially as I wouldn't have too much experience with things relating to it.
What you're describing sounds more related to either architecture or CAD design (possibly what a designer might do at an architecture firm, or working on the architecture side of things if at an integrated architecture and engineering firm) than engineering. Engineering is going to be more focused on ensuring the building works from a technical side than the aesthetics.
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