Which is Better Civil Engineering Course or Mechanical Engineering Course?

November 14th, 2016

Mechanical and Civil Engineering are the two oldest and most applied fields of engineering. Civil Engineering is primarily about construction, design, and maintenance of the civil structures, infrastructures, and buildings. Mechanical engineering, on the other hand, in the simplest words is the engineering stream that deals in the mechanics of automobiles and other machines.

Both these fields of engineering are evergreen and offer great job prospects to the students. These fields are applied in every sphere of life and in all places of the world. The job openings are available in the private as well as the public sector or government organizations.

So, the question is which one is better. Here is a quick look at both the fields to understand them better so that you can make a choice.

Mechanical Engineering and its Scope

There are various types of courses available for this field of engineering. There are basic diploma courses as well as Master’s courses. These courses are provided by several institutes in India, and some of them are very reputed, such as Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

Jobs are available to the students who have completed diploma or B.Tech. However, for better prospects it is best to go for the higher studies. Some of the sub-fields in which you can obtain specialization through higher studies are:

• Tool Engineering
• Machine Design
• Mechanical system dynamics and design
• Engineering design and analysis

To enhance the growth prospect, several students also pursue MBA after obtaining a degree in mechanical engineering. The job opportunities are abundant for the mechanical engineers. Some of the industries that hire these engineers are:

• Oil and Gas
• Automobile
• Aviation
• Piping
• Manufacturing industries
• Marine
• Steel manufacturing

Civil Engineering and Its Scope

Just like mechanical engineering, students can apply for a job after completing a diploma or after obtaining the bachelor’s degree. However, for more lucrative opportunities, it is advisable to opt for higher studies and specialization. Some of the options for higher studies and specialization in civil engineering include:

• Geo Informatics
• Structural engineering
• Offshore structures
• Hydraulics
• Highway technology

Again, just like mechanical engineering, the students can also go for MBA degree after obtaining the specialization in a particular field. This will enable them to be eligible for the managerial position in the organizations.

Civil engineers are hired in the organizations like real estate and construction, oil and gas, development authorities, and more. There are job openings in both government as well as private undertakings.

So, which one is better?

The truth is that it is not possible to tell one better from the other. Both of them have their own merits. They are different lines of engineering that sometimes come in unison. Job opportunities are galore in both the fields.

More often than not, it is the matter of personal preferences. If you get overwhelmed by the structures and construction, civil engineering is the one for you. If you are intrigued by the machine designs, their mechanics and dynamics, go for mechanical engineering.