How the Environmental Engineering Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Engineering is a complex field comprised of many disciplines of study. Engineers must possess the knowledge of complex sciences and mathematics in order to work in the field. Approximately two million people in the country are employed in the engineering field, according to the University of Delaware. This number is expected to keep growing as more complex problems arise that need solutions. Environmental engineers in particular work in controlling hazardous waste management, water and air pollution, waste disposal, and other environment-related issues that directly affect the health of the public. They may conduct research into how much impact any certain human activities have on the planet as well as what methods may be able to lessen some of that impact. To prepare for these tasks, environmental engineering students take courses in environmental quality engineering, biology, engineering management and economics, and other related topics. This educational background enables environmental engineering graduates to quickly join in the work force because they already possess the technical skills and knowledge required in the field.
Best Career Paths for Environmental Engineering Majors
Environmental engineers work in one of the innovative fields in the work force today. The best career paths for environmental engineering majors are:
- Environmental Engineer. As concern about the impact of human activities on the planet grows, the green sector will rise in importance to coincide with the new demand for earth-friendly practices, products, and services. All career opportunities in the green sector for environmental engineering majors will be prosperous, but the alternative energy field will be particularly in-demand. Environmental engineers who work in water, wind, and solar power typically plan where the ideal places are to install which kind of alternative energy plant, how it would impact the surrounding community physically and economically, and many other factors. Most environmental engineers also solve complex environmental problems such as the design and management of water treatment plants. Environmental engineers make an average salary of $69,940 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Civil Engineer. Civil engineers plan and build streets to enhance accessibility to areas within the community, build bridges to lessen traffic congestion in crowded locations, and build airports to increase outsider accessibility. Engineers who work on building roadways will see a rise in demand as crowded cities look for ways to relieve the streets of traffic congestion during rush hour. Environmental engineering majors are well-suited for civil engineering jobs because of the rise in demand for civil engineering projects that can be done with an environmentally-friendly angle. Civil engineers make an average salary of $68,600 annually, according to the Bureau.
How to Market Your Environmental Engineering Degree
Earning an environmental engineering degree is an important step towards starting your career in the electronics industry. However, you will also need to know how to market your degree to potential employers in order to prove to them that your education makes you an excellent candidate for the open position. The best way to market your education is to be specific about the skill sets you learned in class. For example, on your job application cover letter, specify some of the most challenging and relevant courses you took while in school and explain what you learned from it. For example, you may mention that you worked on a big research project for your environmental quality class where you learned how to gauge the degree of impact and reversibility of certain actions on the planet. Be sure to mention all of the challenging projects you tackled and how those projects helped you hone your skills in the field. Reassuring employers that your educational background helped you develop real-world skills is the most effective way of marketing your environmental engineering degree.
