5 Key Factors Driving Students to NJIT’s Civil & Environmental Engineering Programs

Ask five NJIT grad students or alums what sets the university apart, and you’ll get several different answers.

We know. We did.

Their responses differed. But all point in the same direction.

NJIT delivers opportunity.

Whether it’s securing roles at top firms, balancing studies with full-time careers or leading projects that transform communities, NJIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) master’s and certificate programs help students turn ambition into immediate action.

Just ask Oscar Villalobos.

Villalobos came to NJIT as a middle schooler in a pre-college program, got a bachelor’s in architecture, then doubled down by earning a master’s in civil engineering with a focus on construction management.

That leap wasn’t easy. But NJIT made it happen.

“It’s hard transitioning from architecture to engineering,” he says. “But thanks to NJIT, it made me stronger and more versatile as a designer and problem-solver.”

That resilience—and the job he landed through NJIT’s career fair at Perkins Eastman, one of the world’s top architecture firms—shows what’s possible with a Master of Engineering or professional certification from NJIT.

Here’s how six students and alums describe what makes NJIT’s CEE stand out.

Programs Built for Your Schedule

Life doesn’t pause for grad school.

NJIT’s programs are built to meet you where you are—with graduate certificates, dual degrees and custom pathways that let you pace your education around everything else you have going on.

Edward Grimsland is a fitting example.

Grimsland started with a graduate certificate in hydrology and water resources engineering because he wasn’t ready to jump into a full master’s.

“The certificate program let me deepen my knowledge without committing right away,” he says. That stepping-stone, he adds, made all the difference.

Living and working in North Jersey, Grimsland valued the ability to take courses close to home and on a schedule that worked for him. That flexibility gave him time to prepare for his professional engineer exam, pursue a license from New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and even manage the construction of two new homes for his family.

“Taking classes at my own pace helped me give each course the attention it deserved,” he says.

Grimsland is now moving forward into NJIT’s environmental engineering master’s program. Step by step, his education has advanced right alongside his career.

Support Every Step of the Way

Graduate school is rigorous. But NJIT students aren’t left to figure it out alone. Professors, advisors and peers go beyond to help students thrive.

Jason Lin can tell you all about it.

He joined NJIT’s BS/MS program in civil engineering for its affordability and reputation. But the support he found here is what left the biggest mark.

“The department has written recommendation letters, helped with scholarships and guided me through internships,” he says. “Most importantly, they pushed me to get involved beyond the classroom.”

That encouragement led Lin to serve as a peer mentor, orientation leader and student ambassador. He built leadership skills while balancing coursework and internships at AECOM, a global infrastructure consulting firm, every summer and winter break.

On top of it all?

He maintained a 4.0 GPA.

“NJIT gave me the structure I needed and the space to grow into someone I’m proud to be,” he says.

That kind of support transforms students into professionals who are not only skilled but also confident and career ready.

Learning by Doing

Students don’t just sit in the classroom at NJIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

They get their hands dirty solving real problems.

From community design projects to infrastructure systems, NJIT’s approach to education is literally grounded in impact.

That’s why Christopher Lema liked it so much.

Pursuing a dual degree in architecture and civil engineering, Lema found himself working on a real-world design project that will directly serve Newark residents: a pavilion for a public pool.

“It’s a real project that’ll serve the community,” he says proudly.

That kind of experience doesn’t just teach technical skills. It helps students cut through the noise in a loud, crowded job market.

“This dual degree gives me an edge,” he says. “It helps me approach design with technical insight, which really stands out to firms when I apply for internships.”

Lema didn’t just choose NJIT’s CEE program just because it was close to home or familiar, though those mattered too. What sealed the deal was the university’s top-tier reputation in both architecture and civil engineering.

And, he adds, the chance to blend the two fields into a powerful, career-shaping combination.

Chances to Lead and Compete

Many civil and environmental engineering programs prepare students to contribute. NJIT’s CEE program prepares them to lead right out of the gate.

Students are encouraged to step into leadership roles, compete on national stages, and see their work recognized.

For Taylor Hernandez, a dual master’s student in civil engineering and architecture, NJIT has been a launchpad for both technical growth and personal confidence.

“The CEE department has given me leadership opportunities, supportive mentors, and access to national design competitions,” she says.

One highlight was a precast concrete competition in Indianapolis, where her team designed a zoo parking structure that also functioned as a community space. It was a creative solution that merged engineering with public design.

Another standout moment? Her work was showcased in NJIT’s prestigious HCAD Design Showcase.

“That was such an honor,” Hernandez says.

What drew her to NJIT in the first place was the chance to truly customize her path—something few universities truly offered.

“It’s the perfect mix of technical precision and creative design,” she explains. “NJIT has really pushed me to grow in ways I never imagined.”

Courses That Open Doors

Reputation matters. NJIT’s CEE program has that and the national rankings to back it up.

But it’s the strength of the civil and environmental engineering curriculum that truly sets graduates apart. NJIT combines academic rigor with hands-on learning that prepares students for success.

Anthony Rodriguez Diaz knows this firsthand.

After earning his B.S. in civil engineering at NJIT in 2024, he chose to stay for a master’s in environmental engineering and a graduate certificate in hydrology and water resources.

“I chose NJIT because of the strength of its curriculum and the exceptional professors who gave me deep insight into the industry,” he says. “Beyond academics, I built strong relationships and felt a true sense of community—NJIT felt like home.”

That curriculum has already opened doors.

Anthony completed a dream internship with Walt Disney Imagineering in California and is now contributing to impactful research at NJIT’s Center for Natural Resources, where he’s tackling projects from flood monitoring to urban forest sustainability.

Rodriguez says NJIT’s CEE curriculum doesn’t just provide knowledge. It delivers opportunities that translate directly into professional growth.

The Bottom Line: Why NJIT’s CEE?

Every student story here points to the same truth: NJIT’s civil and environmental engineering program is a catalyst.[SYK1] 

It’s where careers accelerate, networks expand and big ambitions take on real shape. What begins as curiosity—about a certificate, a dual degree, a master’s—quickly turns into confidence, credibility and impact.

NJIT doesn’t just prepare students to enter the workforce. It equips them to lead, innovate and leave their mark on the built environment above, below and all around them.

Ready to find your own edge? Explore NJIT’s CEE master’s and professional certificate programs today—and see how far you can go when ambition meets opportunity.

 [SYK1]It’s good to promote NJIT, but we would also like some focus on CEE specifically. Maybe the language throughout the piece can be slightly altered to reflect that!