How to become a Structural Engineer

How to become a Structural Engineer Ready to lay the foundations for a new career? Penchant for making tenuous jokes about your profession? You should become a Structural Engineer…Structural Engineers design, develop, build and maintain structures. These structures could include skyscrapers, large buildings, oil rigs, bridges and dams, or any other structure which may require specialist attentionWorking primarily as consultants to architects or contractors, Structural Engineers are primarily concerned with safety and the environmental effects of their work, rather than just being obsessed with building things big.Typical duties for a Structural Engineer could include:Using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to calculate pressures and stresses on different components of a structureManaging risk, and mitigating the effect of environmental forces on a structure (such as high winds, snow or earthquakes)Weighing up the strength of various materials, and measuring their overall impact on a structure if used during constructionIns pecting new structures during construction to make sure everything meets regulationsOverseeing the demolition or remodelling and repair of structures which are unsafeMaking sure all work meets legal requirements and health and safety standardsIs it right for me?As with most roles within Engineering, to become a Structural Engineer excellent analytical and mathematical skills are absolutely essential.However, what really makes a potential Structural Engineer stand out is a flair for solving potentially complex problems, and a preference for safety and the laws of physics over aesthetic design. If you just want to build things that look good, becoming a Structural Engineer may not be your true calling.Other key skills and attributes include:A natural talent for scienceCritical thinking skillsThe ability to work well under pressureA good knowledge of building regulations and a high regard for safetyComputer literacyExceptional communication skillsCareer Progression? Structural Engineer Up to 32,000 Chartered EngineerUp to 50,000What's it really like? If you build it, they will come. But that doesn't necessarily mean that you should build it, and that they’ll be safe. That’s basically how I’d sum up being a Structural Engineer. Making plans for the biggest buildings in the world is all very well, but without the right foundations these designs would never meet the light of day. And although it may not be particularly glamorous, through my work I know that I'm keeping people safe and secure whenever they step into one of my buildings. And that’s more than enough for me. Get qualifiedTo become a Structural Engineer you will generally need a degree in engineering or master’s degree in engineering. However, many employers will accept equivalent qualifications, if combined with relevant work experience.