Tuktoyaktuk (Nov 20/06) - When Tuktoyaktuk's Eric Cockney walks around a city, he pays special attention to man-made structures.

"Look at Inuvik," he said. "There's lots a civil engineer can do. There's the pavement, the utilidors, buildings...that's all based in civil engineering."

Eric Cockney has a degree in civil engineering. He said it's a broad field, which covers all manners of construction. - photo courtesy of Eric Cockney

Indeed, buildings and materials are Cockney's favourite subject.

The 27-year-old recently earned a Civil Engineering degree from Edmonton's Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), and has returned to live in Tuktoyaktuk.

He said he hopes to one day work as an engineer somewhere in the NWT, and help with the development of towns.

"It seemed like a good mix between an office job and something in the field," he said of his career choice.

When asked which was his favourite engineering course, Cockney replied 'wood construction.'

"Any typical building can be made from wood," he said, adding the material can be remarkably strong if used correctly.

But while lumber - and trees - might be hard to find in Tuktoyaktuk, Cockney said there are other things civil engineers do.

"It's a very diverse field. Urban design, structures, buildings. It covers anything from sewers to skyscrapers," he said.