Why a civil engineering career is great preparation for real estate

Construction is central to property

The details of a job in real estate may feature things like interior design, furnishings and marketing, but the core of the property business lies in the buildings themselves. This requires agents to harbour a deep understanding of physical structures, as well as their position in the market.

With experience of a civil engineering career, you'll be well placed to assess the state of different properties – a skill particularly useful to those with an interest in period buildings. Not only will you be able to spot homes with ample potential for redevelopment, you'll also be able to advise buyers on what's achievable with older dwellings. Property development could well be one of the things you do to prepare for becoming a real estate agent.

Vision is valuable for a civil engineering career

As an engineer, it's likely that you possess a strong imagination. Combined with good practical knowledge, this puts you in a strong position to make plans for home improvement. The ability to work out enhancements such as extensions and creative rebuilding projects will prove invaluable in your search for real estate job opportunities for civil engineers.

Worldly ambitions transpose well

A civil engineering career can take you to all sorts of places. Travel experience (and the desire to continue travelling) will transpose well into a career in real estate. As a real estate agent you often have appointments outside the office and will get around a lot in your area. If you already travelled a lot, thanks to your job as a civil engineer, you are used to work outside the office. This increases your chances of a new dream job.

The world of real estate is open to individuals from all sorts of backgrounds, from sales to engineering. The key to making a successful transition lies in identifying your talents, and applying them effectively to your new position. Visit the Engel & Völkers careers page to search for real estate job opportunities for civil engineers.