Student Testimonials

"I chose civil engineering because it was suggested to me by some family members. I didn't really know what it was, but fell in love with it after some extensive research. I continue to fall in love with it to this day. Civil Engineering spans many different fields, specifications, and categories. There is most certainly a field within civil engineering that fits your skill set. The education I received was of great quality and the experiences provided to me helped prepare me for a professional setting for sure. The biggest thing I can suggest is to get involved in engineering RSOs. My time in Steel Bridge and ASCE helped grow my leadership, technical, and communication skills which was invaluable during my transition to the professional world."

Zachery Burks, Graduated 2023

“I was originally interested in Civil Engineering due to an interest in math and sciences. I ultimately chose it as a major due to both practicality and job security, as well as the desire to give back to my community by helping improve necessary infrastructure. The work is engaging and different everyday, which makes working life a lot more interesting. I chose SIU because it was an affordable, direct path to reach my career goals. In the CEIE program, I had so many professors that I felt truly cared about my success. Not only were they very knowledgeable about the subjects they taught, but they were all more than willing to help any student work through struggles with class material and understanding. The final senior project also did a great job of presenting real-world experience that I felt gave me a leg up in the job application process.

I am currently employed at the City of Cape Girardeau in the Development department.”

Zara Shuey, Graduated 2025

“My time at Southern Illinois University (SIU) was a pivotal chapter in both my personal and professional journey. Earning a BS in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Environmental Engineering provided me with a strong foundation and the chance to explore my passion for wastewater treatment. A key part of my studies involved researching how different wastewater bacteria species added efficiencies to biological nutrient removal.

SIU offered a rich blend of opportunities inside and outside the classroom. I was actively involved in the concrete canoe team and was part of the baseball team for two years, which enriched my college experience beyond academics. The university’s facilities were excellent, providing access to state-of-the-art labs and equipment. Equally important was the knowledgeable and supportive faculty, who challenged and guided me to excel in both core civil engineering concepts and specialized areas.

These experiences at SIU have been instrumental in shaping my career path. Today, I serve as a Senior Civil Environmental Engineer for the City of Naperville, Illinois, where I am currently designing water and wastewater facilities and providing construction management. I am also a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois. I am grateful for the education and opportunities SIU provided, which have propelled me toward a successful and fulfilling career in Civil and Environmental Engineering.”

Alex Bielawa, P.E., Graduated 2019

"Civil engineering was first introduced to me at a young age by Dr. Chevalier, an old SIU faculty member and family friend, through the STEM camps hosted by the SIU College of Engineering. From there, I developed my passion and appreciation for building infrastructure and being a part of something bigger than myself. SIU-Carbondale was always my choice for school as I grew up a Saluki, and it was the first place that showed me all the possibilities available; it also helped that I had family who were alumni. As I began my academic career, I was completely immersed in my major. I found so many people who shared my passion. My first semester, I joined clubs like the American Society of Civil Engineers, Concrete Canoe Construction and Design Team, Steel Bridge Construction and Design Team, and Society of Women Engineers. In my second semester, I was taking leadership roles. A feature at SIU that stands out from other schools is the intimacy the students achieve with their peers and faculty; being a smaller school enables more possibilities to create relationships and gain both academic and professional achievements. The CEIE Program at SIU-Carbondale amply prepared me to be where I am today, where I apply knowledge learned in the classroom along with practical experience learned through healthy competitions, internships, and conferences to everyday life.
I am currently at Sargent & Lundy in their Downtown Chicago office, working for the Nuclear Power Architectural and Structural Engineering Team."

Maya Robinson, Graduated 2025