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The New Way Of Thinking
Environmental Engineer
Do you care about people, animals, the environment, and the world in which you live? Are you gifted in Math and Science, and would you like to use these gifts to keep our planet and its inhabitants healthy and safe? If you would like to make a very positive and meaningful difference in our world on behalf of "ourselves and our posterity," then perhaps Environmental Engineer is the career for you.
Using principles of various engineering disciplines, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems, Environmental Engineers research, design, plan, and perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards. They conduct hazardous-waste management studies to evaluate the significance of the hazard and advise on treating and containing it. Some design municipal water supply and industrial wastewater treatment systems and research the environmental impact of proposed construction projects, while those working in government develop regulations to prevent mishaps.
Environmental Engineers in research and development study ways to minimize the effects of acid rain, global warming, automobile emissions, and ozone depletion. They also design projects leading to environmental protection, such as water reclamation facilities, air pollution control systems, and operations that convert waste to energy, and inspect industrial and municipal facilities and programs to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Addressing global issues such as safe drinking water, climate change, and sustainability, Environmental Engineers continue efforts to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and control of water and air pollution.
Students entering Environmental Engineering Bachelor's of Science programs from high school with no previous Environmental Engineering training should expect a period 4 to 5 years to complete said program. Licensure is required for those who wish to start their own Environmental Engineering consulting firm and to work directly with the public.
The demand for Environmental Engineering will never cease. And as calls for changes (improvements) in energy continue to grow louder and as more developing countries begin to consume the less-eco-friendly modes of energy, the need for talent and innovation in this engineering discipline likewise increases, and seemingly to no end.
Job Description
Median Salary & Range
Median Salary: $79,050
Salary Range: ~$48,960 - $119,560+
College Majors & Attainment Routes
The normal routes to becoming an Environmental Engineer have been to major in Environmental Engineering (Master's), Civil and Environmental Engineering, or even Civil Engineering, Environmental Physics, Chemical Engineering, for many of the concepts coincide. Still, there are other non-engineering majors whereby graduates often go on to become Environmental Engineers (by title): Environmental Science, Soil Science, Environmental Health Science, Marine and Environmental Science (Master's), and Bioenvironmental Science (Ph.D).
Of the majors listed above, only the engineering majors offer licensure. For the non-engineering majors, licensure can only come by earning a Master's Degree or a second Bachelor's Degree in one of the engineering majors.
Colleges That Provide Above Majors
Colleges and universities that have Environmental Engineering and related majors are: Howard University (Washington, DC); Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi); Alabama A&M University (Normal, Alabama); Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, Florida); Xavier University (New Orleans, Louisiana); Hampton University (Hampton, Virginia); Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland); North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, North Carolina); Benedict College (Columbia, South Carolina); Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas); Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, Louisiana); Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, Alabama); Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio); North Carolina Central University (Durham, North Carolina); and Spelman College (Atlanta, Georgia).
Available Scholarships
