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what steps should I take to become an environmental engineer?
I want to be prepared. don't talk much. #career
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Mark’s Answer
Hi Lily!
Environmental engineers need at least a bachelor’s in either environmental engineering or another branch of the same field such as general, chemical or civil engineering. I would encourage you to earn your master's degree in environmental engineering as well. Master’s degrees in environmental engineering are not necessarily required, but not achieving can limit opportunities for future professional roles and licensing opportunities.
Hope this helps!
Mark
STEP 1: EARN A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN CIVIL OR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
STEP 2: EARN A MASTER’S DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Additions steps to consider STEP 3: ESTABLISH PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE
STEP 4: GET PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD
STEP 5: CONSIDER BECOMING AND BECOME A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
Environmental engineers need at least a bachelor’s in either environmental engineering or another branch of the same field such as general, chemical or civil engineering. I would encourage you to earn your master's degree in environmental engineering as well. Master’s degrees in environmental engineering are not necessarily required, but not achieving can limit opportunities for future professional roles and licensing opportunities.
Hope this helps!
Mark
Mark recommends the following next steps:
Updated
David’s Answer
Hi Lily, great question. What better thing to build a career with than improving the environment and maybe even saving the planet!
There are a few things I'd recommend:
- Consider some of the best organizations that are doing cool things in environmental engineering. It may be a broad subject with a lot of outcomes an opportunities, this could help you define which direction to go in.
- Given that you're interested in environmental ENGINEERING, consider getting a college major in engineering, with a minor in environmental science. This way, you can leverage the engineering degree quite a bit, and show the knowledge and passion with the minor in environmental science.
- One of the most important things you can do is network and try to volunteer or work in a job or shadow someone who does a job you think is interesting. Often times, the way something sounds or appears from outside is quite different from what you actually do day-to-day. It'll be best for you to get an idea of what you'll actually do in a role.
Find a (at least one) company/non-profit, or other organization that's solving problems you're passionate about.
Reach out to someone (multiple people, because it usually will take more than one) that works at that organization and see if you can volunteer, shadow, or intern with them.
Choose a major and minor (or even better a double major), hopefully in environmental science, and in engineering.
Intern and learn from hands on experiences, to really understand if that's something you'd want to do for a living.
There are a few things I'd recommend:
- Consider some of the best organizations that are doing cool things in environmental engineering. It may be a broad subject with a lot of outcomes an opportunities, this could help you define which direction to go in.
- Given that you're interested in environmental ENGINEERING, consider getting a college major in engineering, with a minor in environmental science. This way, you can leverage the engineering degree quite a bit, and show the knowledge and passion with the minor in environmental science.
- One of the most important things you can do is network and try to volunteer or work in a job or shadow someone who does a job you think is interesting. Often times, the way something sounds or appears from outside is quite different from what you actually do day-to-day. It'll be best for you to get an idea of what you'll actually do in a role.
David recommends the following next steps: