Civil engineering focuses on structures that serve the public such as transportation systems, water treatment, government buildings, public facilities such as airports and train stations, and other large-scale projects that benefit the public. A civil engineer must be able to design safe structures in various locations.
In terms of transportation, civil engineers build bridges, tunnels, freeway interchanges, and other structures that are designed to facilitate the smooth, even flow of traffic. Water treatment includes sewage plants, delivery systems for freshwater and dams, and other facilities that deal with both fresh- and wastewater. Government buildings can include courthouses and libraries, and a civil engineer might also work on a city power plant.
Some of the subspecialties in civil engineering are environmental engineering, coastal engineering, surveying, materials engineering, structural engineering, construction engineering, and water resource engineering.