As climate change is real and our consumption of natural resources is increasing, the need for environmental protection is growing. Environmental engineering researches the negative consequences of human civilization on the environment and offers solutions.

Many countries worldwide are now paying attention to protecting their natural environment. This has led to a spike in job vacancies in recent years. Environmental engineering is multiplying, especially with the onset of global warming. In this article, we have provided you with guiding steps on "how to become an environmental engineer".

What is an Environmental Engineer?

An environmental engineer uses chemistry, biology, soil science, and engineering principles to develop solutions to environmental problems. They provide strategies for managing wastewater, reducing water and air pollution, recycling, disposing trash, and promoting public health. 

In addition to creating plans to prevent waterborne infections and diseases, and enhance the sanitation in urban, rural, and recreational areas, they also design systems for municipal water delivery and industrial wastewater treatment. 

Environmental Engineers assess hazardous waste management systems to gauge the severity of such risks, offer guidance on containment and treatment, and create rules to avoid accidents. They put environmental engineering law into practice by determining how planned construction projects affect the environment.

How to Become an Environmentalist

What are the roles and responsibilities of an Environmental Engineer?

Environmental engineers typically do the following:

• Collecting and analyzing ecological data.
• Design technology for waste management and pollution control.
• Design initiatives that promote environmental protection, such as water reclamation plants, air pollution control systems, and waste-to-energy activities.
• Ensuring design initiatives adhere to environmental and health laws.
• Carrying out site assessments to ascertain how commercial activities affect the environment. 
• Provide technical and operational support for environmental remediation initiatives.
• They are identifying critical research areas such as climate change, food and water security, and renewable energy.
• Monitor progress of environmental improvement programs.
• Consulting and advising government agencies and corporations about practices for cleaning up contaminated areas.
• Writing reports on environmental investigations.

Qualifications to be an Environmental Engineer

Skills required for a job as an environmental engineer include:

• Technically inquisitive: They must be fluent in skills like AutoCAD or GIS, hydro model hydraulic modelling calculations, map reading, and design techniques. Additionally, they must possess a general understanding of various fields, including construction, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, hydro and marine engineering and transportation engineering.
• Aptitude for collecting and analyzing scientific data: An engineer must have the ability to gather data, analyze it, interpret it, and present a report. As a result, they must be able to complete the task efficiently and effectively.
• Excellent communicator: Environmental engineers must present plans and reports to people with various backgrounds and technical expertise. It calls forth the ability to communicate clearly, interact with people in different settings, and convey engineering and scientific information into simple concepts.
• Good organizational skills and team player:  Environmental engineers must be able to collaborate with others to achieve a common goal. They typically collaborate with engineers and scientists who design other systems and technicians and mechanics who implement the designs.
• Able to work under pressure and meet strict project deadlines: Environmental engineers must work under time restrictions. Also, they should be able to handle pressure from authorities, the local public, environmental groups, big institutions and companies.
• Excellent math, engineering, and science skills: Environmental engineers use the principles of trigonometry, calculus, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work. They must have strong mathematics and science skills.

Steps to Become a Successful Environmental Engineer

• Pursue a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or related fields. Relative disciplines include civil engineering, marine engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and process engineering.
• Pursue internships or cooperative engineering programs to gain initial insight and experience of the job.
• PE (Professional Engineering) license.
• Gain work experience through the entry-level job. 
• Experience with AutoCAD or GIS, hydrologic and hydraulic modelling calculations is a plus.
• Pursue a relevant postgraduate programme in environmental engineering. You can specialize in ecological monitoring, contaminated land, environmental chemistry, environmental health, environmental risk management, hazardous and solid wastes, subsurface contaminant hydrology, water and wastewater infrastructure, and coastal and ecological engineering. Some civil engineering programs also offer concentrations in environmental engineering.
• A doctoral degree or PhD in environmental science can be an option if you have a research interest.

Degree 

Salary of an Environmental Engineer

An environmental engineer's typical base salary in the UK is roughly around £27,882 per year, with a range of pay from £21,000 to £47,000.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Becoming an Environmental Engineer

Advantages:

• Wide career prospects
• Indoor and outdoor work environments offer a variety in daily duties
• Opportunities for promotions and additional job responsibilities with experience
• Above-average salary
• Job satisfaction
• Travelling opportunities
• Possibility of massive market growth shortly

Disadvantages:

• Deadline periods can be stressful
• Work at risky sites
• Environmental engineering jobs are not location specific
• Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week)
• The job is tiring. It requires lots of analysis and study of various facets and factors.
• Problems with government bodies and companies
• Routine job
• A Bureaucratic work environment that often values administrators and salespeople over professionals
• A lot of unpaid study hours

Career as an Environmental Engineer

Today's world faces numerous environmental issues, ranging from local issues like groundwater depletion to global problems like global warming and climate change. As a consequence, the field of ecological engineering is rapidly expanding. Let us look at a few sectors and job positions you can apply for after your graduation in environmental engineering:

Employment areas:

• Air pollution control
• Industrial hygiene
• Radiation protection
• Hazardous waste management
• Toxic materials control
• Recycling 
• Water supply
• Wastewater management
• Stormwater management
• Solid waste disposal
• Public health
• Land management

Job Titles:

• Air pollution control engineers
• Environmental remediation engineers
• Hazardous substances engineers
• Hazardous waste management control engineers
• Pollution control engineers
• Soil engineers
• Waste management engineers
• Wastewater treatment engineers
• Water treatment plant engineers
• Water project manager
• Senior environmental engineer
• Environmental health and safety director
• Environmental engineering consultant

FAQ Related to 'How to become an Environmental Engineer?

What skills do environmental engineers need?

Engineering-specific hard skills are crucial for environmental engineers. A structural engineer should be knowledgeable in various technical fields, including site management elements, ecological restoration techniques, mathematics, statistics, and the application of contemporary technologies. The development of leadership, research and analysis, writing, and communication skills are also necessary for success in a job.

What are additional specializations in environmental engineering?

There are several specializations in the field of environmental engineering. Geotechnical engineering focuses on soil mechanics and foundation engineering. Geophysical engineering is the study and practice of methods for the extraction and mining of natural resources. In addition to these industry-specific specialities, environmental engineers can work in several hydrology and water resource sectors to manage and safeguard ecological water systems in the environment.

What industries do environmental engineers work in?

Architectural, managerial, and technical consulting positions are all open to environmental engineers. They serve as consultants in these capacities when allocating resources to new regions while keeping environmental considerations in mind. Additionally, they can find employment with water and utility businesses.

What skills are essential for an environmental engineer?

Environmental engineers can benefit from having specific skills, such as problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and writing. Most environmental engineers also require knowledge of computer-aided design tools. To initiate the future projects, environmental engineers must be able to work autonomously and feel at ease utilizing computer tools.

Do I need a postgraduate degree to become an environmental engineer?

You can work as an environmental engineer if you have an undergraduate degree in environmental engineering or a closely related field. However, a master's degree in the field will allow specialization in particular areas.