Final answer:
A more desk-bound role would make civil engineering more analogous to typical white-collar work but might reduce its effectiveness by limiting hands-on engagement with projects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The shift that would make civil engineering more like typical white-collar work but potentially less useful as a profession is a more desk-bound role. This option suggests that civil engineers would spend more time on administrative or managerial tasks, rather than hands-on work in the field. Such a change would align with the trend of outsourcing low-level clerical and support positions mentioned in relation to white-collar work, potentially reducing opportunities for civil engineers to actively engage in the design and supervision of infrastructure projects.