In the field of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that deals with the building or assembling of infrastructure. Many people associate the construction industry with difficult and laborious jobs, but there are a number of careers options available in the industry, ranging from white-collar management jobs to highly-skilled building trade positions.

Being the second largest economic activity after agriculture in India, this industry accounts for nearly 65% of the total investment in infrastructure and is expected to be the biggest beneficiary of the surge over the next five years.

Excellent career opportunities exist for those who have an interest in the design and management of construction works, and also for those who wish to develop and use practical skills in erecting the work on site. Various job profiles in the construction sector are:

• Building Surveyor: Building surveyors are responsible in the refurbishment, maintenance and restoration of the existing buildings. They usually work on a building site. The job responsibilities of a building surveyor include organising and carrying out structural surveys, legal work including negotiating with local authorities, preparing plans and specifications, advising people about energy-saving measures and preservation or conservation of historic buildings. The job profile also has creative elements, such as drawing plans to turn designs into reality.
  
  Skills Required

  • A building surveyor should know about all aspects of the building process- legislation relating to design, the environment and planning.
  • They should be able to communicate well with residents of the locality and on-site workers.

  
  
• Building Control Surveyor: Building control surveyors play a vital role in making buildings safe to live and work in. They usually work for local authorities spending time in visiting buildings in the area. Job responsibilities of a building control surveyor also include carrying out inspections of foundations, drainage and other major building elements, checking plans and keeping records of how each project is progressing. Issuing completion certificates when projects are finished, carrying out surveys of potentially dangerous buildings, meetings with architects and engineers at the design stage is also a part of the job.
  
  Skills Required

  • Building control surveyors should have a broad knowledge of the technical and legal aspects of a building.
  • They should be organised and self-motivated and good at communicating with building owners, designers and engineers.

  
  
• Civil Engineer: They are primarily involved in the design and construction of the bridges, tunnels, roads, railways, dams and pipelines. They usually work for contractors, consultants or public service organisations. Job responsibilities of a civil engineer include ensuring the safety and efficiency of roads and other transport systems, finding new solutions to transport problems, planning how to improve passenger comfort. Using the knowledge of the ground and soil conditions designing tunnels, bridges, etc. and analysing the effects on the environment is also a part of the job.
  
  Skills Required

  • Civil engineers need a good grasp of mathematics, ability to analyse and interpret diverse, complex data and an innovative approach to solving problems.
  • They should be able to evaluate designs, plans and effective assessment and management of risk, resources and time.

  
  
• Structural engineer: They are involved in the design and construction of structures - the shape and form of buildings, power stations, ports, railways stations and airports. Job responsibilities include determining the appropriate structural forms for a project, making detailed drawings and calculations for the structure in question, working in a close-knit construction team with architects, civil engineers inspecting, analysing and designing solutions to repair damage.
  
  Skills Required

  • The ability to explain complex conceptual information in simple terms.
  • Excellent numeracy skills and analytical skills.
  • They need to be able to think in 3D and communicate ideas effectively to other people.

  
  
• Project Planner: Project planners are responsible for carrying out precise plans for the construction projects and are thus accountable for the overall outcome of the estimates and the project. Besides preparing and maintaining detailed engineering and construction schedule, the project planners often work closely with the project estimators as part of a team to establish working methods and costs, planning the most effective use of time, anticipating and minimizing risk.
  
  Skills Required

  • Project planning requires technical knowledge and business skills and the ability to communicate with people.
  • Logical and analytical skills.
  • Project planners should be highly organised.