In simple terms RandomTaskkk is saying show your desire to work and learn. It's not school anymore, all motivation has to come from within. Will you be given work, sure. But trust me when I tell you it looks WAY better if you come looking for it.
dhase:
there will always be some down time just the nature of contract work. Rather than just stare at the code book try developing an excel or Smath/mathcad calculation tool you'll learn the in's and out's of the calculation and likely end up with a tool that will increase efficiency when the work does come back flowing in.
dbase:
I would try to determine what discipline I prefer being in rather than where can I find a project. If you like transportation or hydraulics more than structures attempt the move for that reason, not lack of activity. A new hire out of college has the same problem in all the disciplines.
I agree with other comments, ASK for something to do. Show motivation. For example, ask what type of structures you company tends to work on. Let's say they tell you they do a lot of concrete circular clarifiers or steel tanks and hoppers. Neither of those tend to be taught in college, so there is a good place to start learning. Get up to speed on them is not a bad sign of motivation. You will find college did not teach you everything you need to know but it did give you the tools to learn on your own with guidance from your mentor. If you do not have a mentor in the company, get a good one.
When you say "on my 2nd job", do you mean 2nd employer or 2nd project?
Celt83 has some good advice: don't just read a code book, make something out of it. A spreadsheet or calculation tool is a perfect artifact of learning, and if you show that initiative (in my experience) it will tend to impress the people more willing to have you tag along on their projects. I wish I did more of this in my early career because it could have really sped up my development.
