The construction industry is defined as companies engaged in the construction of buildings or engineering projects such as bridges and roads. It also includes the renovation of existing buildings. The status and growth of the construction industry is critical to our nation’economy. New construction is often an indicator of a strong economy, whereas companies often focus on renovation of existing buildings and engineering projects when there is more economic uncertainty.
Construction Project Types
- Residential | Homes, housing developments, buildings, garages
- Commercial / Industrial | Large and small commercial buildings including stores, churches, schools, hospitals
- Heavy Civil | Bridges, roads, reservoirs
Classifications
Projects are classified as public or private.
- Public | Projects completed for federal, state, or local agencies of government and paid for from tax money, bonds, or other public funds.
- Private | Large and small commercial buildings including stores, churches, schools, hospitals.
Industry Organizations
Many types of businesses are related to all three of these sectors. Companies required for or associated with the construction industry include:
- Surveying companies
- Architectural and engineering firms
- Construction Companies
- Inspection service companies
- Project Management Firms
- Companies specializing in creating models of large construction projects
- Companies that provide plumbing, heating, central air-conditioning, electrical wiring, lighting equipment, elevators, and escalators
As the construction industry advances, it tests new materials and methods of building with metals and synthetic products that are lighter and stronger. The industry is also moving toward new models to conserve natural resources and become more environmentally friendly.
Engineers who work in the construction industry are responsible for the design and construction of physical structures using their knowledge of materials science, engineering, physics, and economics. They typically work as contractors and are responsible for the actual building of the structure. Engineers can also work as consultants where they advise clients on projects within their specialty. They can work in an office off-site, at on-site projects, or work on multiple sites at once.
Industry summary sourced from FirstHand Vault guide.
Career Opportunities at a Glance
- Business Analyst
- Civil Engineer
- Construction Engineer
- Field Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Equipment Engineer
- Estimator
- Energy Engineer
- Field Manager
- Design Estimator
- Design Engineer
- Design Manager
- Mechanical Designer
- Operations
- Preconstruction Manager
- Project Manager
- Project Engineer
- Project Scheduler
- Program Manager
- Procurement Manager
- Rotational Engineer
- Transportation Engineer
- Water / Wastewater Engineer
Sample job titles based on 2020 - 2025 Auburn Engineering graduates responses to the Auburn University First Destination Survey.
- Alabama Department of Transportation
- AECOM
- Brasfield & Gorrie
- Burns & McDonnell
- Civil Southeast
- Cooper Construction
- Goodwyn Mills Cawood
- Harbert Construction
- Hoar Construction
- Holder Construction
- Kiewit
- Kimley-Horn
- LBYD Engineers
- McCarthy Building Companies
- Robins & Morton
- Saia Construction
- S&ME
- Turner Construction
- US Army Corps of Engineers
- Volkert, Inc.
- Weis Builders
PATHWAYS TO CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE
- American Concrete Institute
- American Society of of Agricultural & Biological Engineers
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- Auburn Geotechnical Society
- Associated General Contractors Builders Guild
- Chi Epsilon, National Civil Engineering Society
- Engineers Without Borders
- Institute of Transportation Engineers
- Materials Engineering Society at Auburn
- Water Environment Association
- U.S. Green Building Council Students
With sample hiring organizations + companies recruiting through
Support for your co-op and internship search
- Interest to Industry Meetings: Navigating Your Co-op or Internship Search
- Meet with a career coach
- Complete a Professional Experience Interest Form
Confirmed an upcoming opportunity?
- Alabama Road Builders Association
- American Council for Construction Education
- American Public Works Association
- American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
- American Water Resources Association
- Associated General Contractors of America
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- Design-Build Institute of America
- Institute of Transportation Engineers
- Institution of Civil Engineers
- Mechanical Contractors Association of America
- National Association of Home Builders
- National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
- National Society of Professional Engineers
NAVIGATING THE HIRING PROCESS
Depending on the type of employer and the role, the recruitment timelines vary. Governmental organizations, large companies, and manufacturers typically recruit more heavily in the fall. Opportunities still exist beyond the fall but are typically more niche opportunities with smaller companies. Additionally, companies will hire throughout the year depending on the needs and demands of their projects or government contracts.
Seek opportunities to connect with employers at fall events such as the fall Engineering Career Fair, as well as at employer table talks, employer-in-residence, Ask Alumni Anything chats, and student organization meetings. Search for posted opportunities on Handshake.
ALUMNI AND NETWORKING IN THE INDUSTRY
- Allen Sasser, '12 Electrical | Principal, Electrical Engineer | Conaway & Owen
- Curry Glanton, '12 Civil & Environmental | Project Manager | Ra-lin & Associates
- Hayley Sistrunk, '10 Civil & Environmental | Chief Pre-Construction Manager | Brasfield & Gorrie
- Jared Allen, '20 Civil & Environmental | Traffic Engineering Analyst | Kimley-Horn
- Jim Cooper, Civil & Environmental | President | Cooper Construction Company
- Jordan Ross, '09 Civil & Environmental | Senior Pre-Construction Manager | Hoar Construction
- Katherine Causey, '16 & '17 Civil & Environmental | Chief of Programs and Project Management for Civil Works | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Katie Love, '20 Biosystems | Project Professional I | TTL, Inc.
- Sam Serio, '03 Civil & Environmental | Vice President | Goodwyn Mills Cawood
- Sarah Beth Reeves, '20 Civil & Environmental | Preconstruction Manager | Brasfield & Gorrie
You can access alumni such as these to learn about career paths, skills for the industry, and build your network through LinkedIn. Create an account and build your profile, then search for Auburn alumni by major, company, location, or other criteria on the Auburn University LinkedIn page. Chat with an Engineering Career Coach on strategies for networking and reaching out to connect.