Civil Engineering - Should It Intersest You?

Ladies and gentlemen,  welcome to my article about the important field of Civil Engineering.  In this article I'll answer a few principle questions:

1.  What is actually "Civil Engineering"?

2.  What are the advatntages of this career?

3.  What are th disadvantages of this career?

4.  Who is this career suitable for?

5.  What are the requirements for acquiring this career?


What is actually "Civil Engineering"


This term refers to the world of construction: buildings, roads, bridges, railways or  tunnels.

Civil engineer is a professional for designing construction, i.e. how should a structure be built physically, taking into account the physics of materials involved in construction.  The engineer is responsible that a building would be built stable and strong enough  to make it resistant to many challenges: winds, earthquake,  storms, material aging impact or weight burdens.



The unique side of civil engineering is that most of the work gets done outdoors in construction or paving sites, as the engineer is responsible to supervise the construction works, in order to make sure that the actual work gets performed by the plans  and by the regulations.


What are the advatntages of this career?


1. Working outdoors - many people aren't keen on working indoors, mainly in front of computers.  Civil Engineering is the main alternative (among technical fields) for working mainly outdoors: in construction sites, paving or  excavation sites.

2. Working with people - unlike most engineering jobs which deal mainly with tools, materials and computers, Civil Engineering deals mainly with managing projects and people, as the main focus is on the human factor and not on the technical factor.

3. No age bias - technical fields are infamous for having a sharp age bias, as mature workers (mainly 45 years old and above) find difficulties in finding proper employment.  Civil Engineering, as being management oriented, is somewhat different in this aspect and engineers generally can find employment till retirement age.

4. Self employment prospects - in nowadays' unstable job market, being able to be a freelancer or an entrepreneur can be a career saver.  If you don't get what I say, ask an unemployed electrical or mechanical engineer aged 45 or more and you'll get a straight answer.


What are th disadvantages of this career


1. Medium occupational stability - the construction & infrastructure fields is the most dependant on the Supply and demand curve, thus it may have periods of high demand for workers and periods of low demand.  This means that civil engineers may work 40 years in the field but out of these years they may be unemployed for 5-10 years.

2. High level of responsibility - civil engineers are liable both for their signatures and for the implementation  of proper construction at field.  No other kind of engineers  have such level of liability.

3. Long hours - civil engineers work relatively long hours, as they work at least 50 hours a week. This is caused by the fact they work outdoors and they commute many times to long locations.  Additionally, the peaks of workloads cause frequent weekly long hours of work.

Who is this career suitable for

1. Outdoors people - people who prefer to work outdoors: travel a lot, meeting a lot of people and staying long hours on  open space.  People who would be bored to death staying in an office running computers and telephones.

2.  Amateurs of unorthodox life - people who strive for a lot of changes and a lot of challenges.  People who the term "9 to 5" makes them feel bored and frustrated.  people who the term "computer" reminds them of the term "geek".  People who don't care working sometimes 12 hours a day.

3. Entrepreneurs by nature - people who need desperately the option of starting their own business, should it be a freelancing service or  projects initiation.  People who wouldn't stay in careers which let them be only employed and not employers.

What are the requirements for acquiring this career?

1. Academic track - 4 years of BSc studies in  Civil Engineering  in an accredited university.  This track requires good capabilities in mathematics and physics and motivation to put in about 40 hours a week in studying.

2. Attraction - due to the fact that Civil Engineering is a demanding career, I wouldn't recommend it to people without a basic attraction to the its characteristics:  mainly working outdoors, managing and dealing with people  and long working hours.

Physical Therapy - Do Something For Others for a Change

Ladies and gentlemen, this week I'm going to speak a bit about an unselfish profession. A profession which is also a task: Physical Therapy (also known as: Physiotherapy).

 I'm going to emphasize the basic points you need to know about this career:

1. Who is suitable for this profession?

2. What is the training track required for this career?

3. What are the main advantages of this profession?

4. What are the main disadvantages of this career?


Who is suitable for this profession?

In my opinion, a small fraction of society can to well with this profession.  this profession requires a few basic characteristics which without even one of them, the person might not survive in the field:

1. Ability to experience pain and suffering of others - physical therapists don't work usually with very healthy people.  This demands resilience  from the therapist in order to put up with the daily routine.



2. Good manual skills - physical therapists work with their hands, thus they need a decent level of manual skills for performing the actual therapy.  For example: Lifting a limb in order to demonstrate a move.



3. Ability to work as self employed - much of the job market in this field is based on independent service to people in their homes.  For this to occur, the therapist must be able to run  small practice including the basic running of a business  (bookkeeping, service support, marketing etc.).


What is the training track required for this career?

Prepare your butt for a 4 year academic track! If you've thought it's a piece of cake to become a physical therapist, you've got it all wrong.  the studies combine theory and practice as you should be trained both on the scientific (medicine) and on the practical (performance) side.  The studies take a bout 30 hours a week and some work at home.  Thus, it's not a track  for easy life seekers.


What are the main advantages of this profession?

I'll tell you a little secret: most people do nothing significant in their jobs.  They do absolutely nothing contributing to humanity or society. They do nothing fulfilling or reassuring.  They do the same again and again, for months and years.

This can't be said about physical therapists.  These people help people every day, all day.  There's nothing unnecessary or pretending about their work.  There's nothing done for the looks of it or for the impression.

By this I rest my case.



What are the main disadvantages of this career?

As in every career, if you're not suitable for this kind of work, you'll suffer and suffer big time!  Do not choose these career without a proper career advice.  I dare you!

Moreover, this profession is for people who love people, not for people who love money.  Do not go for this career path because you hear of good wages in this field. 

Optometry - I Can't See You..

Ladies and gentlemen, this week I'm going to say a few words about an absolutely crucial profession for human survival: optometry.   Most of you have been a few times in glasses  shop so  you have already encountered optometrists before.   So I'm going to detail a bit  about:


1. Do optometrists just check your sight and sell glasses and lenses?


2. Where do  optometrists work?


3.  How much  do they earn?


4.  Who is suitable for this career?


Do optometrists just check your sight and sell glasses and lenses? 

Well, the jobs optometrists do consist of:

1. Performing eye checks - yes, this is the main job of optometrists.  If you can't imagine yourself look at people's eyes for long hours - this career is not for you.

2. Defining the needs of clients of glasses and lenses - as physicians prescribe medications, optometrists prescribe glasses and lenses.

3. guiding opticians (optometry technicians) what are the components needed for a pair of glasses or lenses.



Where do  optometrists work?

So where can you find the creatures named "Optometrists" ?

1. Glasses shops - you know, optometrists prescribe glasses, and as such they can be found primarily in glasses shops.

2. Medical practices in hospitals and community clinics - where they perform eye tests for patients.

3. Academy - where they perform academic research concerning the multiple aspects of optometry.


How much  do they earn?

If an optometrist starts a new business, then the income may be very little or very high.  As an employee, the wages most of time are around the average at most of the cases and in most countries.  This isn't a profession for making millions but for making a reasonable living.

Its advantage is its relative occupational security  and comfortable working environment.  The work is in indoors environment and in relax atmosphere.  The field is relatively recession proof so layoffs aren't common.


Who is suitable for this career

I can portrait a few traits of a suitable person for this career:

1. Treatment oriented person - suitable for giving treatment to people.

2. Not a gold digger - suitable for making an average living and being content with it.

3. Routine seeker - suitable for a routine and uneventful work environment.

4. Suitable for long studies - not everyone can do well with 4 years of full time studies.