How Philadelphia Is Shaping the Future of Civil Engineering and Construction Careers

Did you know that up until the late 20th century, almost all of the world’s largest engineering and construction projects — from early skyscrapers and bridges to the first planes, rail systems, highways, and automobiles — were designed and planned entirely by hand?

Long before computer screens and Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems existed, workplaces called "drafting rooms" were filled with rows of desks, large sheets of paper, mechanical pencils scratching across blueprints, and engineers carefully calculating measurements by hand. Factories, architecture firms, shipyards, engineering companies, railroads, and public infrastructure agencies employed entire teams dedicated solely to technical drafting and design work. For centuries, "draftsmen" and "draftswomen" spent their work days creating hand-drawn technical diagrams for nearly every building, machine, roadway, or infrastructure system imaginable. Think of all the paper!

Over the past several decades, advances in computing and digital technology have completely transformed the field of engineering, construction, and infrastructure construction. Modern civil engineering and infrastructure development now rely on advanced CAD (computer-aided design) systems, 3D modeling software, infrastructure intelligence platforms, simulation tools, and digital project management technologies capable of analyzing everything from structural stress and traffic flow to environmental impacts, the threat of natural disasters and even beyond.

But did you know that some of the world’s most influential engineering software tools are being developed right here in Philadelphia?

Bentley Systems, headquartered in the greater Philadelphia region, develops some of the world’s leading infrastructure engineering and civil design software systems. Their technologies support major infrastructure and construction projects across the globe, helping engineers, architects, utilities, and governments design and manage the infrastructure and construction projects that make cities work.

Today’s infrastructure and engineering workforce includes not only civil engineers, but also CAD designers, construction technology specialists, digital modeling professionals, project managers, surveyors, software specialists, skilled trades workers, and infrastructure data experts.

Many of these careers combine technology, engineering, design, and hands-on problem solving in ways that simply did not exist a generation ago. Yet despite the enormous opportunities in these fields, many young people remain unaware that these career pathways even exist.

That’s why workforce development partnerships matter.

The Philadelphia Youth Network is excited to welcome Bentley Systems as a new corporate partner as we continue expanding opportunities for young people across Philadelphia to explore careers in construction, engineering, infrastructure technology, STEM, and the skilled trades. As major investments continue flowing into infrastructure modernization, transportation systems, clean energy, public works, and smart city technologies, preparing the next generation of talent for these industries has never been more important.

The future of infrastructure will depend not only on technology — but on the people prepared to build, design, and manage it. And increasingly, that future is being shaped right here in Philadelphia.