Civil engineering personal statement example

Reading time: 3 minutes
Price: Free download
Published: 8th November 2021
Word count: 631 words
File format: Text

All disciplines of engineering have a vast importance to society. Personally, I believe Civil Engineering has one of the most substantial significance on socioeconomic developments. From the water we drink, roads we drive on, schools we learn in, almost every seemingly elementary function we perform has the involvement of a Civil Engineer.

My interest for engineering began from spending time at my uncle’s workplace as a child. He worked as an engineer, manufacturing beams used for structural frameworks. From a young age I developed a fascination for how individual elements interact. What attracts me to studying Civil Engineering …. I have had a particular interest in the materials used in projects. To further explore this topic, I recently visited the Rugby Cemex Plant, where I discovered how cement is made and the movement that Cemex has made to using alternative fuels and incorporated the use of household waste in the making of cement.

At A Level, I studied Physics, Mathematics and Biology, these subjects have given me the solid foundations Biology helped me see the involvements of Civil Engineering with the environment. Physics allowed me to apply mathematics to real situations and understand how the theory translates

In school, I have had the responsibility of being a Maths Leader, where I assisted younger students with mathematics during after school sessions. During this role, I was able to adapt myself and work in a versatile manner with students of differing abilities.

I have attended Civil Engineering taster days at 3 universities.

In July 2015, I participated in a 5 day work placement at the Underground Professional Services department at Morgan Sindall.

I learnt how to do calculations to construct a box culvert and check the calculations were correct for a roof slab. I also learnt how to convert a 2D AutoCAD drawing into a 3D hand sketching for a jacking post and how to use the AutoCAD software to draw a 2D and 3D jacking post. In addition to the mathematic and software skills I obtained, I also learnt about the background of the organisation and the services they provide.

As well as my academic work, I have committed a notable time volunteering in the 3rd Sector. In December 2018, I completed a 10 week volunteer placement in Nepal with the charity Raleigh International. During the placement, I was on the Infrastructure Committee and demonstrated leadership, time management and strategy. I had to collaborate with the Nepali volunteers, many of whom did not speak fluent English. Being bilingual, I was adept to communicate in Hindi and relay information across the team. As a team, we dug 3km of trenches to lay a new water pipeline and assisted with the construction of the water intake. On completion, the pipeline provided over 40 households with a clean water supply. We also built tap stands for 24 households in 5 days. We completed the infrastructure project with two weeks to spare. I expressed my enthusiasm for learning by working closely with the civil engineer in order to understand the design and route of the pipeline.

There was a noticeable lacking of infrastructure, sewage systems consisted of a large hole dug beneath the toilet, waste was disposed by burning contributing to harmful pollutants. Visiting Nepal outlined the importance that infrastructure has on advancing a country. This experience has cemented my decision on leading a career in Civil Engineering and driven me to do something that improves the lives of individuals.

Outside of my education, I work part-time at Next as a Home Sales Consultant, where I have learnt to coordinate with different staff members and effectively run the shop floor. I have a great passion for sports; Powerlifting, Pole Fitness and Tae Kwon Do are the regular sporting activities I do. Powerlifting has taught me patience, positivity and perseverance, skills which I have transferred

Why this example works — strengths and ways to improve

This draft has genuinely strong raw material, especially the Morgan Sindall placement and the Raleigh pipeline project, but it reads as unfinished: several sentences break off mid-thought, and experiences are listed more than interpreted. Your Nepal section shows real engagement with infrastructure's human impact; the rest needs completion and clearer reflection on what each experience taught you about civil engineering.

Subject motivation

From a young age I developed a fascination for how individual elements interact.

Your uncle's beam manufacturing is a plausible, personal origin, but the motivation stays general. The opening's broad claims about society could apply to any applicant. The sentence 'What attracts me to studying Civil Engineering' is left incomplete, which is exactly where your own reasons should appear.

Academic preparation

Physics allowed me to apply mathematics to real situations and understand how the theory translates

You name relevant subjects, but these sentences are unfinished and describe their usefulness only abstractly. Naming a specific topic, such as forces in structures or ecological impact, and linking it to an engineering problem would show preparation rather than simply asserting foundations.

Evidence and reflection

Visiting Nepal outlined the importance that infrastructure has on advancing a country.

This is your clearest reflection, grounded in the observed sanitation and waste problems. Elsewhere, reflection is thin. The Cemex visit raises alternative fuels but never says what you thought about them, and the placement paragraph lists tasks without saying what you learned about how engineers work.

Relevant experience

I learnt how to do calculations to construct a box culvert

The placement gives concrete, discipline-specific detail: culvert calculations, roof slab checks and AutoCAD jacking posts. That is strong evidence. The taster days sentence stands alone and adds little. Saying what one session showed you would make it count.

Credibility and voice

demonstrated leadership, time management and strategy

Generic skill lists weaken an otherwise credible account. The specific details carry your voice far better: 3km of trenches, 40 households, and relaying information in Hindi. Phrases like 'adept to communicate' and 'noticeable lacking' need correcting so the language does not undercut that credibility.

Structure and format

skills which I have transferred

The statement ends mid-sentence, and it has several other incomplete lines and one-sentence paragraphs. The timeline also mixes 2015 and 2018 without explanation. As a result, it reads as a draft rather than a coherent argument building towards a conclusion about your fit for the course.

What you’ve done well

The Raleigh pipeline project gives specific, quantified outcomes and connects directly to the purpose of civil engineering.
The Morgan Sindall placement provides technical detail that shows real exposure to engineering calculations and CAD work.

How this draft could improve

Complete every unfinished sentence, especially the course-attraction line and the closing, and write a conclusion that draws together why you are suited to civil engineering.
For Cemex, the placement and the taster days, add one sentence of reflection each on what surprised you or changed your thinking.
Replace lists of skills such as 'leadership, time management and strategy' with brief examples showing those qualities in action.

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