Construction, civil engineering and QS
Construction offers a range of career opportunities for graduates in architecture and design, building services, civil engineering, construction management, construction economics/surveying and facilities management. You may choose to develop your career in areas such as residential, commercial and industrial contracting; or public sector and civil engineering projects. Whatever the fluctuations in the construction industry, the demand for highly skilled graduates remains.
Opportunities for graduates
Ireland is experiencing a slow-down in the residential and commercial sectors, but ongoing projects include a number in the Republic’s Public Capital Programme (PCP). Dilapidations projects – assessing wear and tear on vacated premises – and the requirement for buildings to meet a minimum Building Energy Rating (BER) will provide increasing employment opportunities, north and south.
Other growth areas include environmental engineering; sustainable green energy technologies harnessing wind and wave power; and off-site pre-engineered building.
A construction-related qualification also makes you very marketable overseas. London will offer significant career opportunities leading up to the Olympics in 2012. In addition there are significant opportunities abroad in sector areas such as tunnelling, geo-technical, highway construction and marine.
Working life
Working hours can be long and demand great flexibility; often your time is split between office and site. Be prepared to experience all weather conditions. If you are ambitious and skilled, the financial rewards and opportunities for career progression can be great.
Graduate careers advice
-
How to get a job in construction
There are many ways for students and graduates to find construction jobs. More...
Areas of work
Graduate views
- Aidan Tuite, Quantity Surveyor
- Angus Hall, Site Engineer
- Darren Gavin, Site Manager
- Eimear Voyles, Building Services Engineer
- Ian Doyle, Junior Engineer
- John Joe Baxter, Site Engineer
- John McGirr, Quantity Surveyor
- Larry O'Connell, Quantity Surveyor
- Maria Lynch, Design Engineer
- Niamh Curtin, Architect
- Páraic Quirke, Roads Engineer
- Paul Brady, Project Quantity Surveyor
Learning from leaders
Related sectors
- Engineering
- Property
- Construction Industry Federation – representative body for the construction industry
- Construction Information Services
Follow us on Twitter
Find us on Facebook