——When Zhang Xuefeng says "don't apply for civil engineering," why is geotechnical engineering the exception?

     In recent years, the civil engineering major has been labeled a "turn-away" field. Even Teacher Zhang Xuefeng has said bluntly: "Unless your family has a mine, choose civil engineering with caution." Indeed, the saturation of the traditional housing construction industry, the drifting life on construction sites, and shrinking salaries have deterred countless candidates. But did you know? Within civil engineering there is an "underground treasure branch"—geotechnical engineering—that is quietly making a comeback!

     Geotechnical engineering, put simply, is the major that "deals with the earth." It studies how to make buildings take firm root underground. From subway tunnels to cross-sea bridges, from landfills to nuclear power plant foundations, every "down-to-earth" project relies on the wisdom of geotechnical engineers.

     For example, during the construction of the Fuzhou Metro, a geotechnical team used "microtremor detection technology" to precisely locate underground boulders, allowing the shield tunneling machine to pass smoothly through complex geology. In nuclear power plant projects, they developed radiation-resistant foundation improvement technologies to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities. These technologies, which sound like "geological magic," are exactly where the charm of geotechnical engineering lies.

① Stable demand and attractive salaries. 60.4% of graduates earn a monthly salary of 6–15K in their positions, and project manager-level professionals can earn an annual salary of more than 300,000 yuan. In Beijing, geotechnical engineering designers start at 8K–12K, and technical leads can earn 8K–12K per month even on a part-time basis.

② Policy dividends. In the national "new infrastructure" strategy, fields such as underground utility tunnels, smart cities, and geological disaster prevention all need geotechnical talent. For example, Fujian has set up a special fund to support the upgrading of geotechnical investigation technology and encourages universities and enterprises to carry out joint research.

③ High technical threshold and strong irreplaceability. Geotechnical engineering involves multidisciplinary knowledge such as geology, mechanics, and the environment. AI can assist with monitoring and data analysis, but decision-making under complex geological conditions and emergency handling of sudden accidents still require the experience and wisdom of human engineers.

Tongji University: Ranked No. 1 in the world by ShanghaiRanking, with overwhelming strength in geotechnical engineering, and has participated in super projects such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Southeast University: A century of civil engineering heritage, rich practical engineering experience, and a "cradle of talent" in East China's infrastructure field.

Hohai University: Strong in both hydraulic and geotechnical engineering, skilled at solving engineering challenges related to "unfamiliar soil and water conditions."

① Degree + certificate = double insurance. Geotechnical engineering has relatively high academic requirements, so it is advisable to prioritize universities with master's programs. After graduation, obtain the **Registered Civil Engineer (Geotechnical)** certificate. This is the industry's "golden pass," and certificate holders generally earn 200,000–400,000 yuan per year.

② Follow technology trends and embrace digitalization. Geotechnical engineering will develop toward intelligence and green development. For example, technologies such as unmanned road rollers, BIM model carbon accounting, and AI slope warning systems are becoming widespread. Mastering these skills can make you stand out in job hunting.

③ Be mentally prepared: challenges and opportunities coexist. Geotechnical engineering requires the ability to endure loneliness and withstand pressure. Field surveys and on-site work at construction sites are routine, and geological disasters may require overnight emergency response. But this job is also full of a sense of achievement—when you see the foundation you designed supporting a skyscraper, or use technology to save a village from a landslide, you will understand: only by keeping your feet on the ground can you look up at the stars.

     If your child is interested in geology and mechanics, geotechnical engineering is a choice worth considering. Unlike traditional civil engineering, it is not a "youth-dependent" career—the more experience you have, the more sought after you are. Senior geotechnical engineers over 40 are highly prized in the industry.

     Choosing a major for the gaokao is not a gamble, but a choice of a path to dialogue with the future. As the civil engineering industry cools overall, geotechnical engineering, with its three advantages of a high technical threshold, stable demand, and policy support, is becoming a "potential stock" in the engineering field. If you have the curiosity to explore the underground world, you may want to set your sights on this "low-key but hardcore" major—after all, towering buildings rise from the ground, and the underground world is vastly different!The essence of choosing a major is selecting a growth path that matches one's own characteristics. The charm of geotechnical engineering lies in the fact that it has always resonated with national infrastructure—from the Western Development Strategy to the "Belt and Road," from the wave of urbanization to rural revitalization, the transformation of every piece of land requires the wisdom of geotechnical professionals.

     The seeds of a major planted today will eventually grow into the steel and iron backbone supporting the era across the land of the motherland. Are you ready?

     Interactive topic: What do you find most attractive about geotechnical engineering? Welcome to leave a comment in the comment section. The fan with the most likes will receive the third issue of Foundation Engineering magazine! Follow us and reply "geotechnical" in the background to get exclusive materials such as the 2025 Foundation Engineering Academy expert lecture notes!