Help in decision to become Environmental Engineer

[recycleman2000]

I am a graduate of the local community college and have earned my applied science degree. I was hoping to transfer into another school to obtain a degree in environmental engineering. It has taken me sometime to decide this. I am 30 years old and looking at another 2-3 years of schooling before I receive my degree. I do not have any experience in environmental engineering. My question is can I expect to find a job with little or no work experience when I graduate college? Also, what types of activities should I involve myself in now so that I can try to get acquainted with the field?

any input is helpful

thank you for taking the time to read this

 

[UcfSE]

What ever school or course you choose, make sure that the school will transfer your credits or accept your degree. Otherwise you may be looking at having to start all the way over with 4+ years.

 

[greenone]

Can you get a summer job or internship with an environmental firm? That would give you some experience. Don't just try for the large companies, try small locally owned businesses as well-we are only an 8-person firm, and we have hired interns the past two summers. Yes, you could make more $ at McDonald's, but you get a chance to see what we do, and if you really like the work. As a graduate engineer with no experience, you will probably be doing low-level work to start (e.g., sample collection, report assembly, research), and paid accordingly.
Have you thought about being an engineering geologist? We've been looking for them in Northern CA-seems to be a shortage.

 

[bimr]

You will definitely be able to obtain employment with any engineering degree.

The question is, what will the pay level be. Environmental engineering is one of the lower paid engineering fields.

Greenone has made some good points about workig as an intern. You should definitely do that and see if you like the work.

If it turns out to be "just another job" for you, you might want to investigate the salaries of the other engineering fields.

 

[recycleman2000]

Is there any other way to do it besides working as an intern? I have a full-time job and I could go to part time but lack of funds is a significant problema with me...I could do it but I don't want to starve.

thank you all for yout input

 

[francesca]

The most important thing to consider is this: is the engineering school you want to go to accredited by ABET? Because an environmental engineering degree from an unaccredited school is not worth the paper it's printed on if you want to become a PE. There are ways around this in many states, but the fact is, if it's not accredited, it's not up to snuff. Even if it means a 4-year degree from an accredited school that won't accept your community college credits, it's worth it in the long run. State schools will let you CLEP out of a lot of stuff, which, at $55 an exam (often 3-4 credit hours), is worth considering if your credits don't transfer.

I'm a civil engineer, about to enter grad school to pursue a PhD in environmental engineering. Environmental engineering may be one of the lower paid engineering fields, but environmental issues are gaining increasing attention from government, so the field is probably destined for future growth. And of course, environmental engineers are paid higher than environmental non-engineers.

An internship is good advice and mediocre advice. If you've never worked in an engineering firm before, by all means give it a try. We had an intern last summer who in three months learned a lot about answering phones and a little about drafting and a little about not wearing high heels to construction sites, but really, she wasn't given the opportunity to do much real work.

Environmental engineering is a broad field. You could do hydrology and drainage basin stuff; you could do waste water treatment; you could do environmental impact assessment; you could do environmental remediation. You'd be hard pressed to find a company that will expose you to the full spectrum of environmental engineering, especially not in an internship during what remains of the summer (classes start in 6 weeks).

You're probably better off spending a pre-arranged day at the college you want to attend (and spend the $35 on applying right now, because it's worth it even if you decide not to go). They ought to be able to send you brochures and probably could arrange a tour of their labs and interviews with a few professors who can tell you about their work and maybe you'll understand them. (I did this tour/interview thing yesterday and for the most part I didn't understand them but now I feel really positive about deciphering their jargon in the coming semesters.)

One of the earliest classes you should take is drafting. You can then probably get on part time at a local engineering firm and earn while you learn - it'll also probably pay a lot better than most of the other part time jobs you'll be able to get.

Don't overlook scholarship/loan opportunities. The local university where I live is currently offering a $500 scholarship to over 25s who're going back to school. They don't have an accredited engineering program, but some of their classes transfer to schools that do. Of course there's a limit to the amount of transfer credit, but it's worth keeping in mind.

 

[eric1037]

If I were you, I would try to get a degree in Civil Engineering with an Environmental emphasis. That way, you would have a much better chance of geting a job, even if it's not environmental related.

 

[LHA]

bimr is correct:
"You will definitely be able to obtain employment with any engineering degree."

Francesca is correct:
"One of the earliest classes you should take is drafting." I would clarify - take AutoCAD, hand drafting (if it is still offered??) will teach you nothing which I would ever pay you to do. I would not hire an intern or entry level design person who doesn't know AutoCAD.

In my experience, the internship did nothing. It was in forest pest management, and I currently do land development. I learned nothing relevant.

In my opinion, the discipline your degree is in is not hugely relevant. When I graduated w/ Env Eng., I first did HazMat reporting, then moved into design air pollution control scrubbers (including the electrical control panels). I then went into land development. I have done all of this well, and can say I've had no "formal schooling" in any of those fields. I currently work with a person with a structural degree...he designs wastewater treatment plants AND stormwater management plans. I firmly believe anyone with the wherewithall to get any engineering degree can work in any field.

Remember: The Chinese ideogram for “crisis” is comprised of the characters for “danger” and “opportunity.”
-Steve

 

[jrf]

Yes, you will find a job. It may not be the job you want initially, but you will be able to get your foot in the door. That's all you need to get started - ambition, ability and industry will take you the rest of the way.

You may want to carefully consider whether or not to get your undergrad degree in environmental, however. I too thought I wanted to be an environmental engineer, but I completed a civil engineering program, with an environmental specialty, because that was all that was offered at my school.

I am now glad that I did so. The opportunities that a civil engineering degree opens to one are many times those opened by an environmental engineering degree. As I alluded to above, consider also that you can get adequate basic environmental training in civil engineering, while still acquiring the basic civil skill set, and in fact many civil graduates work in environmental-related subspecialties.

I encountered several students with environmental engineering degrees who were "retraining" as civils for various reasons when I was in school. It's much easier to make the jump from civil to environmental than the other way - when I took the PE you could pass the environmental exam with a civil degree, and the right electives. Not so the other way.

That said, if environmental is what really excites you then go for it. Whatever you do you will be doing for a long time, and the most important thing is that you enjoy doing it.

 

[stanier]

Environmental problems will be only be solved by civil, mechanical, electrical, process engineers etc. Environmental engineering is for the birds.

If you truly have a concern for the environment start applying your engineering skills now in design and solve the environmental problems out there.

At best environmental engineers are considered whistle blowers.

 

[jjcivileng]

Environmental engineering is a great field that requires knowledge of engineering, as well as the hard sciences. In this field (which is growing!), civil, mechanical, electrical, process engineers.. never fully comprehend the physical, chemical and biological processes that go into making informed decisions regarding soil/groundwater remediation, adequate design of leachate collection systems, etc. The field is so dynamic and multi-faceted, there are so many areas to choose from and opprotunities exist all over the country.I obtained a bachelors degree in science and civil engineering then obtained masters degree in environmental, which allowed me to focus my studies/get my feet wet in performing research in a lab and hone in on a particular discipline of interest. Overall, this action has greatly increased my salary and I am now capable of working in many areas. You should know that many opportunities exist from consulting to research in some of the top facilities in the country. If possible, try to tailor your own engineering curriculum, this could be performed simply by taking extra courses to expand your knowledge and become more marketable. Good luck to you!

 

[bltseattle]

It seems to me that "environmental" means something different to everyone.

A civil with environmental focus sets you up for environmental landscape restoration and stormwater management, both of which are lucrative fields now and for the foreseeable future. With a civil degree to boot, even if public money for environmental work goes away you should always be able to find a job either building new stuff or fixing decrepit infrastructure.

Environmental focus with mechancial background would enable you to develop improved industrial processes, work on sustainable building projects (solar energy, water use reduction, high efficiency materials, etc).

Environmental focus with geotechnical engineer would prepare you for brownfield remediations and groundwater cleanup. Expect plenty of non-environmental work to boot (pavement design, retaining wall, soil improvements).

Environmental as its own focus set you up for very focused work, but it might be better to have a broad background so you can adapt to changing societal priorities in the future.