Career in Engineering
How to Start Your Journey
Is there a difference between civil and structural engineering? What makes a good structural engineer? How would I qualify to be one? Agencie supports the next generation of architecture and engineering talent, and these are just some of the questions we’re frequently asked. You can find our answers to these (and much more) here. If you’re considering a career in the industry, or know someone who is, please take a look at how you could build a career in structural engineering.
Building a career in structural engineering
At Agencie, supporting and nurturing future talent is important to us. Co-founder, Sarrah Khan, lectures and teaches at various universities and our team brings a diversity of experience. We all share a passion for improving, exploring and transforming spaces.
Students, and others with an interest in architecture and engineering, often ask us about a career in the field. Here, we aim to answer some of the questions we frequently get asked and share our insights into a successful career in structural engineering.
Like any structural engineer worth their salt would do, let’s start with the foundations. You might be surprised how many of those studying engineering struggle with this question - just what do structural engineers actually do?
Structural engineers ensure the safety, stability and functionality of buildings and large structures. As a structural engineer, you work alongside a range of other professionals, including architects and quantity surveyors, builders and civil engineers. Yet the focus is on the design, analysis and construction of load-bearing structures. This means that on any given day you could be working in the office or on site. You may be using computer software for analysis and design at the planning stages, monitoring construction progress, inspecting sites and managing structural surveys, writing reports or meeting project stakeholders.
Structural engineering vs similar career paths
People often ask what is the difference between structural and civil engineers, or between structural engineers and architects? All of these professions work closely together yet there are key differences.
Civil engineers focus on broader infrastructure developments. This could mean transportation systems and water management networks, and their role is likely to have a focus on environmental concerns and urban planning. Structural engineers concentrate on more specific load-bearing structures, from buildings and bridges to foundations and renovations.
Architects and structural engineers often work closely together. In fact, at Agencie we’ve integrated these two skill sets to push boundaries and elevate creativity. Traditionally, architects are responsible for the design concept of a building, looking at the aesthetics as well as how people interact with the space. Working collaboratively, structural engineers provide expertise around materials and structural design to ensure safety and stability. It’s by overlapping these two slightly different starting points, yet working to a singular shared vision, that Agencie takes a unique approach.
So what qualities make a good structural engineer?
The word ‘engineering’ originates from two Latin words: ingenium, meaning cleverness, and ingeniare, which means ‘to contrive or devise’.
Structural engineering involves a multitude of different elements. You’ll need to take into account the architect’s vision, plus the durability, strength and cost of materials, as well as the load and structural analysis, considering the effects of external influences such as gravity, wind, earthquakes and temperature changes.
Dealing with such complexities means intelligence is essential. Impeccable attention to detail is required, alongside maths, science and critical thinking skills. At Agencie, we believe creativity is a key component to solving structural engineering problems too. Engineers are problem solvers, working out answers by applying maths and science in a creative yet logical way.
As structural engineers work closely with other professionals in the design and construction of buildings and structures, communication and teamwork are also must-have skills.
Required qualifications for a structural engineer
You’ll first need a Bachelor’s degree in civil or structural engineering. A Master’s degree is not essential but may well improve your career prospects, as can specializing in a specific area (such as bridges or environmental design).
Whilst studying, it’s useful to gain internships or co-op positions within relevant companies. As well as providing real-world experience, this can help you to develop your professional network. Graduates should seek junior positions, working with senior engineers, but your training does not stop there. To become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the U.S. you have to first pass your Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. With this in place, you must then be supervised by a licensed PE for several years (usually 4 years) before you can take the PE exam in Structural Engineering. Pass that exam and you’ll be fully licensed and able to sign off projects, multiplying your career and earning potential.
Never stop learning
Curiosity is an essential trait of a successful engineer. You have to stay up to date with evolving technologies, materials and methods, as well as having an awareness of wider trends, client demands and current regulations. You may consider further certifications, such as Certified Structural Engineer (CSE) or becoming a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) with a focus on sustainability. Further down the line, you may look for leadership positions or even start your own firm.
Building a professional network will help to accelerate your progression. Attending seminars and conferences supports your ongoing learning and provides opportunities to broaden your network. You could consider becoming a member of professional organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Structural Engineers Association (SEA), or the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). Another avenue to consider is mentorship. Having a mentor who has forged their path before you can be invaluable in providing credible support and expertise.
Breaking down barriers
Whilst engineering is still a male-dominated industry, this should not exclude anyone from a career in structural engineering. Agencie is a woman and minority owned business, with 60% female staff. In 2024, we were recognized as a Woman Forward Workplace by Crain’s New York. It’s important to remember that having a different perspective is a strength in a role where original thinking is crucial. Seeking firms that align with your values is the key to developing your career.
Some organizations actively seek MWBE (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise) firms to work with on major projects. It has, for example, aided our selection as a partner on JFK Airport’s New Terminal One. We worked on structural and façade engineering as a MWBE subconsultant for Thornton Tomasetti and Walter P. Moore.
Is there a future in structural engineering?
With the rise of technology, and specifically AI, many young people are rightly asking whether their desired careers have longevity. There is a high demand for structural engineers in the U.S. and further afield right now and the opportunities are growing rather than receding. A constant demand comes from aging infrastructure and the expansion of urban areas, yet there are also new opportunities with continued innovation, globalization and a rising demand for sustainability.
Today is an exciting time for those interested in overcoming challenges as a structural engineer. Technological advancements will continue to build on software already used to design and analyze structures, enabling insights into greater complexity and providing efficiency. Globalization creates more chances to work on international projects, coordinating teams across borders and meeting the added demands of different regulatory conditions. Sustainability also offers immense opportunities, from working with new materials and recycling existing ones to looking at improving energy-efficiency within designs as well as their construction.
Why consider structural engineering?
Structural engineering is a wonderful career for those committed to making an impact within the built environment. Agencie was founded with a passion for the possibilities that architecture and engineering offer. Andrés’ background in construction, growing up in a family of builders in Bogota, led him to a career in architecture. Sarrah trained as a structural engineer and worked across multiple sectors, developing a particular interest in complex geometrical shapes. Building on successful careers in their respective professions, Agencie combines the problem-solving creativity of engineering with the design ethos of architecture. We imagine, design and engineer spaces that elevate the urban landscape.
But perhaps one of the best people to ask about a career in Structural Engineering is Zarina Gran, who joined Agencie in 2023 and earned her Masters in Structural Engineering in 2020. Zarina told us: ‘It is a rewarding career, where you have the opportunity to work on a variety of interesting projects and see your projects in real life. Being at Agencie has strengthened my expertise and confidence. It’s given me space to challenge myself while also having space for creativity in the design process.’
For those with a similar desire, as well as the drive and determination to learn and apply mathematical and scientific knowledge creatively, structural engineering can offer you an rewarding and exciting career
