Future Designs - Civil engineer make
difference by shaping the world around us
by Elizabeth Todd (published in Mid-South Jobs, March
10, 1998)
Eddie Belk can go to work everyday
knowing he has made a difference in the lives of
thousands of Memphians.
Belk is a civil engineer. The fruits of
his labors, and those of his fellow professionals, are
everyday necessities that people often take for granted
- roads, bridges, harbors, rivers and other public
infrastructure.
There are many specialties within civil
engineering, including structural, transportation and
environmental. Transportation engineers plan and
maintain roads, bridges, harbors and waterways.
Environmental engineers are concerned with ensuring
infrastructure projects adhere to environmental laws
concerning issues such as air quality, water quality,
waste water management, storm drainage and landfills.
Structural engineers concentrate on designing the
structural framework for buildings and bridges.
Belk graduated with a bachelors degree
in civil engineering from Christian Brothers University
in 1984 and he went on to earn a master's degree in
engineering management. He has been a civil engineer for
14 years, most of that time with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers.
"I would encourage people to think
seriously about civil it engineering," Belk said, "It is
a rewarding career and gives you the opportunity to
improve the quality of life. It is stable and there is
always a good, strong demand for engineering regardless
of the economic situation."
And the pay is good. Starting salaries
for engineering graduates with a bachelor's degree
averaged $33,119 a year in private industry in 1997,
according to the National Association of Colleges and
Employers. The median annual salary for all civil
engineers who worked full-time was as $46.000 in 1996.
Public service
One of the biggest benefits of civil
engineering is making an impact on the lives of fellow
citizens, said John B. Jernigan, vice president of
transportation/ civil engineering division at Ellers,
Oakley, Chester and Rike Inc.
"If you live in it, ride on it or work
in it, a civil engineer had a hand in the design and
construction of it," Jernigan said. He has been a civil
engineer for 38 years. He received a bachelor's degree
in civil engineering from the University of Mississippi
and also has a master's degree in transportation
engineering.
Jernigan has had a hand in many
important projects that have shaped Shelby County. Right
now he is working on designing a new taxiway at Memphis
International Airport that will join the new eastside
north-south runway to the Federal Express facility on
Winchester Road. The project includes a bridge that
spans across Winchester Road.
His firm is also working on improvements
to Hacks Cross Road from Winchester to the Mississippi
state line. The busy thoroughfare is being expanded from
a two-lane rural road to a seven-lane urban street
complete with curbs, gutters and thicker pavement to
handle the increased traffic along the road.
Belk is especially proud of two projects
he has worked on. One is a two-mile-long harbor in
Helena, Ark., which that city hopes will spur economic
development.
One of his most visible endeavors is the
Memphis Front Project. It involved a number of river
improvements, which included stabilizing the bluffs
along the Memphis reach of the Mississippi River. This
project added increased acreage to Tom Lee Park.
So the project served a dual purpose. It ensured the
stability of the bluff while creating a larger public
area that has been enjoyed by millions of Memphians and
tourists alike.
Good qualities
When Jernigan considers hiring new for
engineers for his firm, he considers how good their
people skills are, how strong their math and science
background is, along with arts, history and
communication skills. "Communication is important in any
field." Jernigan said.
Good civil engineers like to figure out
how things work and how to make things work, Belk said.
Engineers should enjoy public service and have good
problem solving skills. Armed with these admirable
qualities, civil engineers can embark on making the
world a better place.
