My Own Experiences as a Civil Engineer in the Philippines.
CIVIL ENGINEERING
Are you one of the aspiring civil engineers in the Philippines? Or are you a recent graduate looking for a job as a civil engineer?
What Does a Civil Engineering Aide Do?
As a CEA, I monitor work on site and supervise the timekeeper, warehouseman, foreman, leadman, heavy machine operators, truck drivers, skilled laborers, and common laborers. We also attend meetings with project managers and project engineers at the DPWH. It's crucial to ensure that the site is organized and to track our progress through spreadsheets. For materials needed for projects, we request items and sometimes purchase them ourselves with what we call Petty Cash. Don’t worry about travel expenses; the company may provide you with a vehicle and a driver.
When I first arrived at my site, I had many questions: how and why we do things, what actions I should take, and what I should say to the laborers. This uncertainty is completely normal.
We can navigate these challenges if we have a Project Plan, a crucial document for engineers. I’ll admit, I didn’t know how to read the plan when I first saw it. But trust me, if you have taken subjects in AutoCAD and other planning or drafting courses during college, you'll quickly understand it just as I did.
During my work, I sometimes cooperate with barangay officials, like the barangay captain, and occasionally with the mayor. I've even had conversations with the Philippine Army because my site is located in a remote area with guerrilla and anti-government groups present. Yes, it can feel sketchy, but since I am just a contractor and not part of a government agency, I am safe from these groups as long as I don’t engage with things that go against them. Sometimes, I don’t announce that I am an engineer; instead, I say that I work on-site as a foreman or in another capacity.
Is the Work Hard?
Are you one of the aspiring civil engineers in the Philippines? Or are you a recent graduate looking for a job as a civil engineer?
I started this blog to share my experiences with you, hoping to help answer any questions you might have.
To begin, I graduated in 2022 and secured a job in 2023. I mustered up the courage to visit and apply to various construction companies in my province. I presented my resume and showcased my skills and curiosity during interviews. Honestly, all I wanted was to learn and gain experience, and that curiosity has driven me to this point.
I was hired as a Civil Engineering Aide (CEA) at an AAAA-class construction company, a position I knew little about. I realized that when applying for a position in a private corporation, this is often the starting rank for us, whether we are licensed or not, especially if we want to work in the construction department. Other applicants may be assigned to positions in the Quality Control Department (which is not my area of expertise) or the Planning Department, where overtime opportunities are limited.
To begin, I graduated in 2022 and secured a job in 2023. I mustered up the courage to visit and apply to various construction companies in my province. I presented my resume and showcased my skills and curiosity during interviews. Honestly, all I wanted was to learn and gain experience, and that curiosity has driven me to this point.
I was hired as a Civil Engineering Aide (CEA) at an AAAA-class construction company, a position I knew little about. I realized that when applying for a position in a private corporation, this is often the starting rank for us, whether we are licensed or not, especially if we want to work in the construction department. Other applicants may be assigned to positions in the Quality Control Department (which is not my area of expertise) or the Planning Department, where overtime opportunities are limited.
What Does a Civil Engineering Aide Do?
As a CEA, I monitor work on site and supervise the timekeeper, warehouseman, foreman, leadman, heavy machine operators, truck drivers, skilled laborers, and common laborers. We also attend meetings with project managers and project engineers at the DPWH. It's crucial to ensure that the site is organized and to track our progress through spreadsheets. For materials needed for projects, we request items and sometimes purchase them ourselves with what we call Petty Cash. Don’t worry about travel expenses; the company may provide you with a vehicle and a driver.
When I first arrived at my site, I had many questions: how and why we do things, what actions I should take, and what I should say to the laborers. This uncertainty is completely normal.
We can navigate these challenges if we have a Project Plan, a crucial document for engineers. I’ll admit, I didn’t know how to read the plan when I first saw it. But trust me, if you have taken subjects in AutoCAD and other planning or drafting courses during college, you'll quickly understand it just as I did.
During my work, I sometimes cooperate with barangay officials, like the barangay captain, and occasionally with the mayor. I've even had conversations with the Philippine Army because my site is located in a remote area with guerrilla and anti-government groups present. Yes, it can feel sketchy, but since I am just a contractor and not part of a government agency, I am safe from these groups as long as I don’t engage with things that go against them. Sometimes, I don’t announce that I am an engineer; instead, I say that I work on-site as a foreman or in another capacity.
Salary
My salary is around 17,000 Php monthly, but because I was assigned to a project site, I earn more than that when including my overtime pay. I stay on-site, monitoring work day and night for six days a week. Salaries in the provinces of the Philippines tend to be low, but that’s okay—we are gaining valuable experience during this phase, remember?
My salary is around 17,000 Php monthly, but because I was assigned to a project site, I earn more than that when including my overtime pay. I stay on-site, monitoring work day and night for six days a week. Salaries in the provinces of the Philippines tend to be low, but that’s okay—we are gaining valuable experience during this phase, remember?
Is the Work Hard?
The project I was assigned to was ongoing when I arrived. They were excavating a portion of a hill where a concrete road, known as PPCP (Portland Cement Concrete Pavement), would be constructed. This road project was intended to connect two barangays. I was responsible for monitoring the site from start to finish while ensuring everything stayed on budget.
All activities related to my site fall under my responsibility, including the safety of my laborers. Due to our susceptibility to typhoons, we occasionally cancel all operations on-site to prioritize the well-being of our employees.
To be frank, you can't call it a job if it isn't hard. We all find ourselves in challenging positions in life, often filled with questions. These questions are the keys to our growth, and encountering them is inevitable.
All activities related to my site fall under my responsibility, including the safety of my laborers. Due to our susceptibility to typhoons, we occasionally cancel all operations on-site to prioritize the well-being of our employees.
To be frank, you can't call it a job if it isn't hard. We all find ourselves in challenging positions in life, often filled with questions. These questions are the keys to our growth, and encountering them is inevitable.
Comments
Post a Comment