Mechanical Engineering vs Civil Engineering

These two branches of engineering are so famous and high in demand that every engineering student wants to know that which among these two is better? Both of these branches of engineering are high in merit in all universities all over the world. It’s really hard to choose one which is better among these two disciplines. I interviewed almost twenty Mechanical and Civil engineers before writing about this issue. Those who were mechanical engineers, they said Mechanical Engineering is better while those who are Civil Engineers, they said that Civil Engineering is better. So Mechanical Engineering vs Civil Engineering – the debate goes on.

Here I would like to present a more logical difference between these two disciplines of engineering and I hope it will help all young students and prospective students to get to know about these two branches of engineering. Because in the end, I personally think it’s someone’s interest which makes him/her choose between Mechanical or Civil Engineering.

So before i start and you make a choice, it is best to know what is Mechanical Engineering and what is Civil Engineering?

Mechanical engineering involves working on machines. Both are traditional engineering programmes. Mechanical Engineering in layman terms can be termed as the study of automobile machines and mechanics related to that.

While Civil engineering is focuses on design, construction and maintenance of buildings and associated structures.

Scope of work involved 

Mechanical Engineering

Design and control of system that goes into the process of manufacturing the machinery and product.

Testing new systems.

Quality management and improvement.

Marketing products and systems.

Civil Engineering

Design, supervision and construction of structures.

Calculating the cost involved, safety of the structure and potential environmental risks.

Involves travelling quite frequently.

Type of Industry for work 

Mechanical Engineering 

Manufacturing

Automobile

Power

Aeronautical

Civil Engineering 

Building and construction

Private consulting firms

Government departments

Research institutes

Specializations Available

Mechanical Engineering

Production engineering

Automobile engineering

Nuclear engineering

Nanotechnology

Bio-medical engineering

Environmental engineering

Civil Engineering

Structural engineering

Environmental engineering

Transportation engineering

Specific Skills

Mechanical Engineering 

Good technical and communication skill coupled with logical capability to interpret complex and changing concepts.

Civil Engineering

 Good logical and mental capability, problem solving skills and ability to grasp new concepts are very essential to be a good civil engineer.

Should be able to express yourself using figures and words.