What are the duties of entry level civil engineer?

The employers know that your knowledge is limited.

You will start out doing field observations to familiarize physically with details and drawings. They may also have you do some drafting.

In the office you would be given design of beams and composite beams. A few by hand, but shortly using a computer program. Your work will be on a large scheme so your part would be small and straight forward.

Being nervous is normal, so use it learn quicker. Try to get a jobs that are straight forward that duplicates your homework problems. Also see if you can find an older engineer to be your mentor. Keep in mind your next step is to get a P.E. – assuming that you have already passed the E.I.T.

Cheers and excellent luck!

rutgersg… provided a excellent answer.

A fantastic deal depends on the style of manager you have. Some are micro-managers who will tell you every small detail – this style sounds like it would suit you right now, but maybe not later. Some are very hands off – giving you an assignment and a due date – and that is it. I do not reckon that style suits you now. Most are somewhere in between.

I am surprised that you have graduated with a degree in Commerce with no job experience. I would not hire you because of that.

You need to find a mentor – one of your professors perhaps, or someone at the ASCE ( http://www.asce.org/asce.cfm ) – you are of course a member.

Some of the work will be very hard – much harder than anything in college, and some will be simple.

I am a PE with 6 years of experience and the only thing that is probable of you is a base knowledge of the material you should know if you have a degree and the ability to learn. There are huge differences between academic life and the real world. In the office you are probable to plagiarize ancient reports, copy similar designs and collaborate with people around you. The best thing you can do for physically is to question questions when you don’t know something, show enthusiasm to learn how things are done in that office, and keep a constant consideration for professionalism. If you don’t know anything about what they do at that office that is OK. They have already hired you and have committed to training you. Dress like they do, avoid conversations that you wouldn’t feel comfortable having in front of your mother, and always learn from what people teach you. The best compliment a new hire right out of college can get from an employer is that they are a quick learner. Excellent luck, work hard, you will be fine.