Make It Happen

Watch TV!
You can learn more about civil engineering by watching TV! Check out these shows:

• Design Squad (PBS)
• Extreme Engineering (Discovery Channel)
• Build it Bigger (Discovery Channel)
• MythBusters (Discovery Channel)

Attend a Summer or After-School Program
You'll get to experience engineering firsthand, make new friends, and have a fantastic time. Start at the Precollege STEM Summer Programs and Camps database and do a quick search by state. You can also check out the Web sites of local colleges, universities, and high schools to see what after-school, summer, and pre-college programs they may offer.

School Projects
It can be hard to figure out a topic to do a report on in school for a science or math class or even a science fair. Why not choose something related to engineering? You could investigate out why skyscrapers don't fall down or how to design a roller coaster!

Study the Coolest Subjects
If you want to start preparing for college, make sure you're studying the subjects that will help you succeed in college work and prepare you for engineering study. Recommended high school courses include:

• Math (Four Years): Algebra I and II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus
• Science (Four Years): Biology, Physics, Chemistry (Other science options for the fourth-year requirement and electives include advanced levels of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Ecology, Astronomy, and Earth Sciences.)
• Language Arts (Four Years): English (Elective courses in this area include Speech/Debate, Communications/Media, and Journalism.)
• Foreign Language (Three Years): Your choice, based on what your school offers.

Investigate
Take a look at the engineering-related courses and programs offered. Talk to your school counselor or teachers in your math and science departments about what other opportunities might be available, including core-college programs offered on college campuses, after-school programs, workshops, contests, or special events.

Try New Things
Round out your time a wide range of experiences and building a broad knowledge base. Go ahead and enroll in electives such as History/Social Studies, Geography, Computers, Social Sciences (Psychology and Sociology), and the Arts. Get involved in extracurricular activities that you love. All of these offer skills that will be valuable in your future studies and your chosen career.

Sign up for an Internship or Part-Time/Summer Job
Explore opportunities for internships (paid or unpaid), part-time work, or summer jobs at engineering schools or companies. Job opportunities often appear on an organization's Web site, but you may also be able to find information through your school's career guidance office or your local library.

Exploring Engineering Programs
Before you begin to explore engineering programs, make a list of the things you want from your education. Don't forget, your family, friends, teachers, and school counselor might have ideas about studying engineering you hadn't thought of, so talk to as many people as possible! You can also see what students are doing in ASCE's Student Chapters in your area!

Paying for College
Figuring out how to pay for a college education can be pretty overwhelming. But there are lots of financial aid, work study, or off campus job opportunities available, some that are reserved for students who want to study civil engineering.

Check out ASCE
When you're ready to take the next steps towards college, check in with ASCE! ASCE offers scholarship awards and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate student members.