<p>I am planning to do co-op interviews next semester. I need to start next spring so I can get the required co-op terms done before I graduate. I have not yet taken classes in all areas of civil yet so I am worried I will get a co-op in one area then decide I like another better. I kind of have an idea in my head what I want to do but that may change as I take my upper level classes. </p>
<p>Will the year of experience from the co-op count for anything if I decide to work in a different area of civil? </p>
<p>Another option is for me to just try and find one or two summer internships.</p>
<p>Bump. Maine ken any advice?</p>
<p>
Absolutely. Work experience is always appreciated.</p>
<p>I agree with Medwell. My husband actually worked for a couple of years as a civil engineering doing site plans and hydrology designs before he switched to structures. He and I were hired by the same company, and they didn’t want a married couple in the same department, lol). He finally told the company he would leave if he couldn’t do structures, so they switched him into my department, where we co-existed quite happily and productively.</p>
<p>Every civil engineering major encounters this situation (and I imagine other fields too, but I don’t know how diverse they are). There’s really nothing you can do to prevent it because there’s always the chance you may change your mind. I started college thinking I wanted to do structural engineering, but halfway through, decided I preferred construction management instead, and I actually spent close to two years working part-time for a transportation engineering firm.</p>
<p>Sure, some of the technical skills don’t necessarily translate across the fields, but the interpersonal skills do. Work experience is work experience. And hey, who knows, you may stumble into a field that’s actually a better fit than the one you were thinking of. Better that this happen during college than midway through your career.</p>
<p>any engineering experience is good work experience</p>