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Civil engineering internship skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Pooja Preetha Ph.D.,

Pooja Preetha Ph.D.

Civil engineering internship example skills

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical civil engineering internship skills. We ranked the top skills for civil engineering interns based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 22.7% of civil engineering internship resumes contained civil 3d as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a civil engineering internship needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 civil engineering internship skills for your resume and career

1. Civil 3D

Civil 3D is computer software that allows architects and engineers to plan and design structural engineering projects. An architectural design crafted through civil 3D software is also supported by Computer-Aided Designs (CAD) and Building Information Modelling (BIM). The software makes it easy for architects and engineers to correct any potential flaws and make changes in the structural design of a building quickly and efficiently.

Here's how civil engineering interns use civil 3d:

Drafted design drawings in AutoCAD Civil 3D for various bridge components such as abutments, wing wall, and other details.
Create surfaces, alignments, profiles, and corridors for the design of driveways using AutoCAD Civil 3D.

2. GIS

A geographic information system (GIS) is a tool for capturing, storing, manipulating, analyzing, managing and presenting various forms of geographic data.

Here's how civil engineering interns use gis:

Updated the Geographic Information System (GIS) database by adding scanned record drawings of water, storm and sewer utilities.
Produced data layers, maps, tables, and reports, using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.

3. Roadway Design

Roadway design is the process of designing a road. Though the process may sound simple, roadway designers develop 2D and 3D renderings of the roadway to be constructed in addition to offering material recommendations, detailing the construction site, and outlining a general agenda for construction. This design must also abide by any federal and state roadway regulations.

Here's how civil engineering interns use roadway design:

Assisted in roadway design for residential/commercial road.
Experience in roadway design, storm sewer design, and retention & detention ponds.

4. PowerPoint

Here's how civil engineering interns use powerpoint:

Coordinated special projects and PowerPoint Presentations.
Led meetings which included Mayor and City officials with self created PowerPoint slides utilizing ArcGIS, CAD and ERDAS Imagine software.

5. Construction Management

Here's how civil engineering interns use construction management:

Assisted engineers with various other construction projects from construction management to designing projects to field engineering.
Provided support for construction management and quality assurance duties.

6. Cost Estimates

Here's how civil engineering interns use cost estimates:

Designed and prepared cost estimates for relocation of underground utilities in preparation of Central Artery/Tunnel project.
Prepared cost estimates and specifications for state and municipal funded projects.

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7. Geotechnical

Here's how civil engineering interns use geotechnical:

Developed preliminary design of pile foundation for 3-story dormitory based on given geotechnical report.
Assisted in several geotechnical data analysis for soil classification and soil-bearing capacities computations.

8. Engineering Design

Engineering design is defined as the method that engineers use to recognize and solve problems. It is an extensive and flexible approach to problem-solving and provides the necessary information needed regarding every step of the process. An engineering design is a collaborative effort of the team to identify problems underlying a process and find out ways to solve them.

Here's how civil engineering interns use engineering design:

Prepared Problem Evaluation Reports, Engineering Design Changes, and Administrative Change Forms for design civil engineers.
Assisted in Civil Engineering Design (grading, utilities, erosion control, and plot plans).

9. Data Collection

Data collection means to analyze and collect all the necessary information. It helps in carrying out research and in storing important and necessary information. The most important goal of data collection is to gather the information that is rich and accurate for statistical analysis.

Here's how civil engineering interns use data collection:

Provided technical assistance to senior engineers with data collection and analysis.
Field Survey using Global Positioning System (GPS), Total Station, and Data collection.

10. ArcGIS

Here's how civil engineering interns use arcgis:

Conducted geographical data analysis and mapping to identify and update city storm drainage ArcGIS database.
Calculated hydrology and storage information using ArcGIS and AutoCAD.

11. Hec Ras

Here's how civil engineering interns use hec ras:

Assisted with a HEC RAS model analysis for existing and proposed culverts crossing on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

12. Aided Design

Here's how civil engineering interns use aided design:

Utilized computer aided design and drafting system applications to display pipeline flow regimes.
Assisted company in transition to computer-aided design and drafting.

13. Engineering Drawings

Engineering drawings are technical drawings that tell about the requirements for engineering components or equipment. Such drawings have standardized languages and symbols. There are multiple types of engineering drawings such as isometric drawing, orthographic or multiview drawing, schematic drawings, one view, and two view drawings, etc.

Here's how civil engineering interns use engineering drawings:

Worked on several international infrastructure projects in Gabon, Africa and Saudi Arabia producing engineering drawings and working with lead engineers.
Utilize MicroStation to draw engineering drawings and maps for mechanical and structural engineering sections.

14. Project Management

Here's how civil engineering interns use project management:

Project engineer supporting project management and estimator operations with government contracted civil projects.
Performed Project management through monitoring, scheduling and inspections.

15. Engineering Calculations

Here's how civil engineering interns use engineering calculations:

Performed engineering calculations and on site duties.
Verified engineering calculations for transportation and environmental engineering facilities Performed construction inspection for interchange redesign

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What skills help Civil Engineering Interns find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on civil engineering internship resumes?

Pooja Preetha Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Alabama A&M University

According to my previous experiences, they are a combination of soft skills like creative thinking, problem-solving and hard skills like strong math and project management with the knowledge of tools like AutoCAD and GIS.

What soft skills should all civil engineering internships possess?

Pooja Preetha Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Alabama A&M University

I would say communication skills, creativity, the ability to mold yourself and work under pressure, keeping the cool at any condition, a few leadership initiatives, and being fast-paced.

What hard/technical skills are most important for civil engineering internships?

Pooja Preetha Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Alabama A&M University

Hard skills serve as the most important, in my opinion. If you are technically sound, have reasonable computer skills and good Microsoft office suite adaptability, and have strong presentation skills, you should be able to make it.

What civil engineering internship skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Bin (Brenda) Zhou Ph.D.

Professor, Central Connecticut State University

With the shrinking market of design/office work during the pandemic, I see two options for a graduate. One is to go to graduate school, and the other is to work in the field. Graduate education generally transforms a student from a generalist to a specialist, so, choose a study area carefully. In addition to gaining specialized knowledge at graduate school, students may use the time, up to certain limits, to fulfill engineering experience requirements when applying for a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Check each state's professional licensing boards for details. Most students with a BS in civil engineering prefer a design job, but field experience can be supplementary and beneficial to the design work that an engineer will do in the future. Such experiences broaden students' perspectives, and make them better engineers, because they will pay attention to constructability in their designs. A word of caution: stay agile and keep an eye on emerging opportunities. Do not get too comfortable and stay there for too long, unless construction management is your passion.

What type of skills will young civil engineering internships need?

Andy Gerrick

Associate Professor and Chair, Embry-Riddle, Prescott

Most important is the ability to pull together the problem-solving skills learned in the different engineering courses to solve real-world, multidisciplinary, engineering problems. This requires a clear understanding of the problem and the requirements, and it requires a thorough understanding of engineering concepts. Memorizing problem solutions is of no value because no one will pay you to solve a problem that has already been solved. An engineer's ability to communicate is also extremely important. Engineering is a collaborative endeavor, so if you are not able to communicate your ideas, you are not contributing.

Do you want to know more?

List of civil engineering internship skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a civil engineering internship resume and required skills for a civil engineering internship to have include:

Civil 3D
GIS
Roadway Design
PowerPoint
Construction Management
Cost Estimates
Geotechnical
Engineering Design
Data Collection
ArcGIS
Hec Ras
Aided Design
Engineering Drawings
Project Management
Engineering Calculations
Math
Renewable Energy

Construction Projects
RFI
Design Calculations
HEC-RAS
DOT
Shop Drawings
Technical Reports
Project Documentation
Traffic Studies
Construction Process
Construction Sites
Quantity Take-Offs
Construction Inspection
Drainage Systems
Design Specifications
Auto CAD
Design Drawings

Technical Specifications
GPS
SWPPP
AASHTO
Construction Drawings
Revit
Conveyance
Structural Design
Commercial Development
Site Inspections
Structural Analysis
Survey Equipment
Retaining Walls
Project Specifications
Civil Engineering

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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