r/CivilEngineers_PH

It took me 30 years of life and 8 years work experience bago ako natauhan.

Pangarap ko kasi nung bata ako na maging part ng pagtayo ng mataas na building kaso nung nandito na ako, masaya ako na grumaduate at makapasa ng board exam pero title and paper lang pala yun. Been working as site for 3 months, sales engineer na estimator, manager's assistant, at purchasing din for 3 years, at 5 years estimator na designer, utusan ng mga ahente, nag iinvoice ng subcon kahit accountkng dapat gumagawa nun at purchasing din... forever stuck ako sa minimum wage unless tumaas ito. Ang daming trabaho ng pagiging engineer, always working beyond job description

Pagod na ako, kaso hindi pa ba late na mag shift ng career? I'm 30 years old na, wala pa rin nararating sa buhay.

Balak ko may VA, nakita ko they are earning twice than me kahit part time lang, pero hindi ko pa alam yung niche ko. Ayoko na magfocus anything related sa civil engineering.

Any advice if pwede pa ba nagbago? Ano pwedeng maging bagong career na may room for growth both sa sahod at sa career?

BTW, female po ako

Hello po, so nagbigay po kami kay client ng GMQ ng Steel beams tho mas malaki po ang stated quantity sa boq than the gmq. Now nag double check po ako ng plans and kulang po yung binigay namin na gmq for the steel beams. (40 tons po approximately and excess ng boq quantity to gmq). OSM po yung mga steel beams.

ano po kaya usually nangyayari sa ganitong case po? thank you very much po

For context, I work at one of the DPWH offices here in Davao.

A few minutes before our monthly office mass started, pauupo na sana ako sa dulo ng pew (yung malapit sa aisle) nang may babae na nasa likod ko na nagsabi ng, “Excuse me.” Since medyo makitid yung daanan, I assumed na makikiraan lang siya. So I stepped aside para makadaan sila. Paglingon ko, siya na pala yung umupo sa seat na uupuan ko sana, tapos yung kasama niyang lalaki umupo rin sa tabi niya.

Napa-wait… akala ko ba makikiraan lang kayo?
Tumayo pa ako sandali, hoping na baka mapansin niyang naghihintay ako at uusog siya. Pero wala. Diretso lang tingin niya sa harap. Ayoko namang gumawa ng eksena sa chapel, so lumipat na lang ako sa ibang bakanteng upuan.

A few minutes later, may nagsabi sa akin na dumating na ang Department Head. Doon ko lang nalaman na yung nalipatan kong seat pala ang usual niyang inuupuan. Tatayo na sana ako, pero siya pa mismo ang nagsabi na okay lang at umusog na lang ako para makaupo siya sa aisle.

Just to be clear, separate incident ’yon. Wala akong issue sa pagbibigay ng seat sa Department Head. Kung sinabi lang sa akin nang maayos na usual seat niya ‘yon, I would’ve gladly moved. Ang hindi ko talaga ma-gets is yung ginawa nung babae. Feeling ko ginamit niya yung “Excuse me” para mapaalis ako sa pwesto, tapos siya pala mismo ang uupo.

To be honest, sanay na akong may mga rude at feeling entitled na employees during office hours. Pero naisip ko, pati ba naman during mass? Nasa chapel na tayo, ilang minuto na lang bago magsimula ang misa, pero ganun pa rin yung asal.
It’s not even about the seat anymore. It’s about basic courtesy.

Ako lang ba ang mao-off sa ganitong situation?

Nag resign ako. Now, ayaw nila ako paalisin hanggat di ko nauubos ang mga backlogs ng projects.

The thing is, wala talaga ako backlog. Tumambak lang sya dahil pinasa sakin ang projects nung nag resign. Dun naglabasan lahat ng backloga ng projects na handle nya. Now, sa sobrang dami. Sobrang hirap. Nag decide ako na mag resign na rin. Pero, hinold nila salary ko, ayaw pirmahan clearance hanggat di ko natatapos ang backlogs.

Bakit sakin nangyari to? Sobrang unfair. Pinasa lang din naman sakin tong projects. Sobrang unfair naman. :(

Im kind of crying right now. Kasi supposed to be di na ako papasok. But, pinapapasok pa rin ako hanggang end of month kasi kelangan ko daw gawin. :(

So I'm a Civil Engineer in my late 30s, with more than 10 years of experience in the construction industry. The problem is, sobrang general ng work experience ko. I worked both in the private and government sector. Handled and supervised projects and have done tasks from planning, estimating, QS works, site supervision, planning and scheduling, drafting (2D and 3D), site coordination, structural analysis and design, all of that pinatos ko especially sa mga sideline ko (structural design, drafting, and estimating). I even had project management experience dahil sumasideline ako as freelance contractor dati for some small residential projects (but due to bad investments hindi na muna pwedeng mangontrata as of now).

Honestly, confused ako sa takbo ng career ko ngayon. I'm a generalist, and as of now, I think nagiging hindrance siya sa paghahanap ko ng WFH job as a construction estimator or QS. Idagdag pa yung wala akong prior experience sa AU or US contractors. I even reached the final interview with a client na tatlo na lang daw kami for interview, pero di ako nakalusot despite all the experience I had. So I'm thinking, maybe nagiging hindrance yung pagiging generalist at lack of experience ko sa AU or US client. This is the only application na umabot ako sa final stage out of 50+ na inapplyan ko. Very humbling for an engineer with 10+ years of experience and at his late 30s na puro successful na ang mga kaklase.

So, to cut the story, I really want to specialize. If hindi magkaigi itong estimator/QS route, I am planning to specialize into BIM. I am not new into Revit. I am using Revit since 2017, although as a modelling tool lang. The BIM itself, zero experience pa ako. So, I have modelled most of my projects as a project engineer noong nasa government pa ako (since sa akin din ang drafting, particularly the structural plans). The biggest is a 7-storey hospital building.

My question is, will it be enough na ipakita ko yung previous Revit models na naidraft as a portfolio to apply for a BIM modeller na hindi entry level? or maybe having a salary na hindi pang-entry level? I am from the province so uupa talaga if Manila ako magwowork. WFH jobs, I think di muna ako aasa for now kasi baka hanapan din ako ng prior international experience.

Do you think ok itong route na gagawin ko? Also, may mairerecommend ba kayong companies na pwede applyan. I am planning to walk-in siguro, I think mas may chance kesa magpasa lang ako sa online. I am targetting multinational companies din sana.

Thank you, Engineers!

Hello guys just want to know if sino po nakapag training dito? nakita ko lang sa tiktok, as for me alam ko na po mag estimates gamit planswift/bluebeam at excel dahil sa past job ko po at gusto ko mag transition to construction VA and even alam ko na po mag estimates but mostly kase AU experience hinahanap ng client and wala ako experience at meron nag ooffer ng training na AU standards kuno daw, so the question is worthit ba tong training nato? 4-6k range nila or another bust na naman kase sayang arep eh if ever, Thank you so much sa mga sagot!

Nakaka overwhelm isipin kung gaano kahirap ang competition ngayon sa paghahanap ng trabaho sa field na ‘to. Sobrang daming graduate and newly licensed CEs ngayon plus mga nasa work na gusto na mag resign.

Curious lang, sa mga job hunters, gaano na katagal ang job search nyo?

Kung sino ang pagod na diyan sa trabaho niyo o may lilipatan na baka pwede bago kayo magresign i-endorse niyo ako bilang kapalit niyo? Or baka pwede makahingi ng details at magaapply ako? Kung pwede lang 😊

Hi, Engineers! I need your advice.

I recently received an offer for an Engineer I (J.O.) position at our DPWH Regional Office, with a salary of around ₱1,300 per day. I was able to secure the offer without a backer, I simply passed their rigorous hiring process (2 interviews and exam). However, I am currently working as a Civil Engineer Assistant (Casual) at an LGU, earning around ₱1,100 per day, with leave credits and employee benefits.

Just to add some context, I passed the CELE last year, and this LGU is my first job as a licensed Civil Engineer. One of the reasons I'm considering the DPWH offer is because, in our LGU, I have a workmate (also an engineer) who has been a Casual employee for more than 10 years already. That's why I'm thinking about the long term, since my salary and position might stay the same if I remain here.

In DPWH, based on what I've learned, even if you're still a J.O. employee, you can still be promoted from Engineer I to Engineer II. That's why I'm leaning toward DPWH because it seems to offer better salary.

From a long-term career perspective, which option would you choose?

Passed last nov 2025 BE and now working as a jr struc engr for about 4 months and di ko talaga nakikita sarili ko sa gantong work in the long run kahit na sabihin kong im lucky to have this as my first job, wala talaga. too technical for me. tamad na tamad na ko pumasok.

Im eyeing to switch to BIM roles, i have xstruc certification in Revit and planning to build my portfolio bc i know the competition is tough. Here's the thing tho, gusto ko talaga matry maging site engr. Im aware mahirap to pero parang di ako masasatisfy if di ko man lang subukan, pero im worried na if i end up not liking sa site, it might be difficult to transition back to office/BIM roles.

I would really appreciate your insights. Should i go straight for BIM or try ko din mag site just to satisfy my curiosity? Im still 22 y/o, okay lang ba magtry ng ibat ibang CE paths before settling? Masyado akong indecisive and im afraid it might affect my engineering career in the long run.

Hello, meron na po bang nainterview dito or may alam sa VCA?

May interview po kasi ako and wala po ako halos makitang info sa online.

Thank you so much po sa sasagot, malaking help po!

Hi Engineers! I have a question kasi bago lang ako as a site engineer fresh board passer. Now, si client requested a 3 Phase outlet for their generator set and a Single Phase outlet naman for their electric vehicle charger. I'm so confused kasi di pa ako familiar sa mga ganito. Pero I'm assigned to purchased these materials, pero takot ako na baka mali ako ng mabili kasi the instruction given to me is di ko gets even I asked them twice. Help me naman please, I'll tell other details, if you're willing to help naman I'll dm you engineers. or else I'll awol na lang HAHAHAHA kapagod na din ang construction freakkkk

Hello po, seniors! 🙋🏼‍♀️ As an incoming Civil Engineering freshie, I just want to ask what things are essential for first year—like school supplies, drawing materials, calculator, laptop, or anything else that you think is a must-have. Any advice or tips would be highly appreciated. Thank you so much po! 💙

nakaka-frustrate maghanap ng trabaho as a CE graduate. halos lahat ng job postings naghahanap ng may experience, pero paano naman kami magkaka-experience kung wala ring gustong mag-hire ng walang experience? minsan naiisip ko sana mas maging hands-on at practical ang curriculum kaysa puro theory. mas maraming site exposure, actual construction practices, at industry skills sana ang ituro dahil sa real world, iyon din naman ang hinahanap ng employers. hindi ko sinasabing alisin ang theory, pero sana mas balanced para hindi ganoon kahirap ang transition from school to work at mas maging job-ready ang mga fresh graduates

Okay na po ba yung 21k + 2.5k food allowance for fresh grad licensed? May benefits na din, 2hrs max byahe siguro mga 100 a day yung pamasahe. Monday to Sat, need tots and advice (Office based role) salamat po.

Hi guys. I am 24F, Licensed CE from Bicol, passed the BE last Nov 2024.

After oathtaking, I immediately went here sa Manila to look for jobs. I was hired by a contractor which paid me 22K gross (w/ free accommodation) and was assigned in the province. There was a time na we had to work 32 days straight kasi andami work to do. I was exhausted, left the company and applied in a Project Management company.

I am being paid 25K (no free accommodation) and was relocated in Manila. Me and my team handles procurement, design, construction and management. I love my role but as a breadwinner, the salary isn't really enough.

Does anyone know a niche that pays well? Magshift na ba ako ng career?

Hello po sa mga QS dyan, effective pa ba yung book ni Max Fajardo to review? Need suggestion, tips and advice to before me mag start po. Thank you so much! Will appreciate more comments as a newbie.

Help na hire ako as PIC and dalawang project iaassign sakin. Fitout works sa store sa mall. Wala akong experience. Pinatos ko lang to kasi kailangan ko na talaga tumulong sa pamilya. Sa monday na start ko

Baka may tips kayo dyan ano mga dapat kong unahin or ano dapat kong pag tuunan ng atensyon. Salamat

Hello! Magtatanong lang sana kung paano magcalculate ng floor area ng isang steel structure. Do we consider the wall thickness or just the from the face to another face of the wall? And also sinasama ba yung columns sa pag calculate?

Thank you for the insights.