There are several old structures around the country that were built without consideration for disasters and sustainability. Now, those buildings must be retrofitted and updated by trained individuals like civil engineers to ensure that an event such as an earthquake wouldn’t completely destroy the building. In addition, buildings currently under construction must adhere to certain standards to keep them safe from potential seismic (earthquake) activity.
Selecting a Career Path
According to the United States Department of Energy in a presentation with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, there are a variety of jobs involved with the retrofitting of buildings that may include building performance retrofit specialists, energy auditors, project managers, building controls technicians, and compliance analysts.
Most commonly, the type of degree required to work with the retrofitting of buildings as far as seismic activity is concerned is that of a civil engineer. A civil engineer works with expansive projects that vary from buildings and airports to roads in bridges. In addition, a civil engineer might become involved in building tunnels and dams, which must often be designed with seismic activity in mind.
Education Requirements
The average civil engineer will require a bachelor’s degree and will need to accumulate experience on a work site under the tutelage of an experienced engineer before being offered the chance to lead a project as the head civil engineer. The prospect of a managerial position is greatly enhanced by the addition of a graduate degree, and many civil engineers will remain in school to obtain a master’s degree that can put them on the fast track to promotion.
Working as a civil engineer invites strong potential for job growth and the more training that a student obtains, the greater potential for higher earnings. Civil engineers may work hand-in-hand with related occupations such as urban planners and architects to ensure that a building’s initial construction or retrofitting complies with the standards required to maintain a safe environment in the event of an earthquake.
Future Job Prospects
The concept of retrofitting for reasons of environmental safety and conservation is a hot topic in the United States today with several world leaders becoming involved in discussions on how to ensure the safety of buildings. The United States government has even been getting involved with a group called the “Jobs and Competitiveness Council” suggesting that retrofitting could help reduce the impact of the jobs crisis.
Civil engineers and individuals with related training will usually need to consider looking at the “green” industry for employment as many of the jobs for building retrofitting have been offered under the banner of jobs initiatives and retraining programs designed by the government both domestically and overseas.
Retrofitting is an essential and vital part of today’s construction industry. With attention from government sources and a focus upon the development of educational programs that deal with retrofitting, individuals who choose to train in this area should be able to enjoy healthy career potential and advancement. Getting a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering is an important consideration for anyone wishing to work with retrofitting buildings for potential disaster.