Why Civil Engineers May Be Hesitant to Change Jobs

Civil engineering is generally a stable and rewarding career, but I’m seeing many professionals hesitate when considering a job change. Whether it’s job security, ongoing projects, or simply the fear of the unknown, making a switch can feel risky. From my perspective, risk is inherently something most engineers want to avoid. Here are what I think are the top reasons civil engineers hold back. But then, I am open to hearing back what you think. What are the top reasons you would not consider making a job change now?

Why I think Civil Engineers Stay Put and resist making a change:

?1.??? Job Stability – Leaving a secure job can feel like a gamble. Jumping from an environment that’s familiar to one that is not can be a risk many are unwilling to take. Fear of the unknown? Also staying with a company for a longer period allows civil engineers to refine their skills and take on more complex projects. That equals professional growth as long as there’s a variety of project types to work on. Ongoing mentoring by more experienced licensed engineers is another reason to stick with the current job.

2.??? Long-Term Projects – Many engineers want to see their projects through to completion for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is reaping the reward of experiencing their ideas come to reality. Other reasons may involve a sense of ownership, pride in their work and the desire to ensure the project’s success. Perhaps even the investment they have in solving technical problems or refining designs. Or there’s the perceived professional growth opportunity of seeing the project through to finish. A positive addition to the resume or project list. Then there’s the fact that most engineers also want to make sure the project meets their standards for a quality product.

3.??? Limited Job Openings – Not every geographic location has plenty of opportunities. This can happen when there is limited infrastructure development, unfavorable economic conditions in the area, lack of funding, challenging geographic or climatic conditions, fewer engineering firms in the area or the automation and digital advancement that generally demands fewer engineers.

4.??? Economic Uncertainty – The construction industry can be unpredictable. Projects are tied to economic cycles, private and government funding mainly, but there are other factors impacting jobs. These might include increased material costs, labor shortages, weather delays, unexpected site conditions, legal disputes and so forth. How do you know that the other firm that’s offering a new job can navigate these issues successfully?

5.??? Great Benefits & Pay – Why leave a job with strong compensation and terrific benefits? Sometimes, engineers can be so well compensated in their current job that a competitor cannot match or exceed their current pay and benefits.

6.??? Work-Life Balance – A new role might mean longer hours or more stress. Maybe the current position offers a hybrid work environment. Or the commute to the office is optimal. Taking time off to pick up the kids from school or daycare is an option. There can be many “perks” in the current position that are not offered or are to a lesser degree in other engineering firms.

7.??? Strong Work Relationships – Years of collaboration can make it hard to start fresh. The current role feels comfortable, like hanging out with family and friends all the time. Employees and management may work and play together and create strong emotional ties.

8.??? Licensing & Certification Hassles – Some job moves require new licenses. Many civil engineers work toward the goal of a coveted PE license which requires specific experience under a licensed engineer. Maybe the current employer is actively helping the engineer prepare for the PE exam. Frequent job changes can disrupt this progression or require restarting certain processes.

9.??? Relocation Concerns – Not everyone wants to uproot their life for a job. Some engineers recognize that their children have strong ties to schools, friends, church, or social groups and relocating would negatively impact their lives. Also, their spouse might be deeply anchored to the area for a variety of reasons. Once I had a candidate turn down a lucrative job offer because the commute would have been five minutes longer. And another because his wife wouldn’t leave where they currently resided.

10.Unclear Career Growth – Some new roles don’t offer a clear path forward. If this isn’t an option, most engineers would reject the position even for a significant pay boost. Obvious reasons why a clear progression path is important could include access to increased responsibility or challenges, leadership opportunities, salary growth, potential ownership opportunities, gain in recognition or status, or even a chance to leverage their experience into starting their own engineering firm.

So that’s my impression. But let’s hear from those of you who have been approached with other job opportunities. Did you accept the offer? Why? Did you reject the opportunity? What were your reasons for not making the change?