I'm trying to decide whether to become an ecologist or an environmental engineer. I know what ecology work is like, but I don't really know anything about environmental engineering other than the few descriptions I've read online. I thought I would ask letsrun to see if we have any here than can give me a description of the work and what they do. Any help?
I'm guessing by your post that you would be entry level. Of course it varies a lot, but most folks new to the field will spend a lot of time doing field work (which I enjoyed and miss). Sampling, ecological surveys, mapping site features, ... If you have a serious technical bend (PhD or other significant expertise) in a specific area such as a remedial technique or risk assessment then you could end up doing more desktop research, modelling, and writing. Most folks end up over some period of time, depending more on where you work than anything, managing projects or tasks. Which is no different than managing any other engineering project. Just different disciplines.
I actually like the field a lot. I've been lucky to work all over the world on a lot of different projects. Depending on who and where you work you may travel. Entry level money is usually less than other engineering fields, but I've noticed that over time it tends to catch up if you are a good manager or are a technical resource.
Good luck!
I am not an environmental engineer, but I work with many in my line of work. Here is what I can tell you:
Environmental engineering, and environmental regulation in general, has more to do with managing the human impact on the environment for human health rather than conservation for all the plants and animals. You deal with issues like water quality, waste water treatment and sewage systems, air pollution abatement, landfill design, and other waste management systems. You might do environmental site impacts, like evaluating the level of contamination at a brownfield. I'm sure you already found that online.
Day-to-day? The guys in my work place will review permits to determine if they are in compliance, review reporting information, do inspections in the field, evaluate the condition of a waste water treatment facility, verify that a new facility is in compliance, do field assessments if a highway is plowing over a wetland. Most guys spend all day in the cube. The inspectors will spend lots of time in the field, but I imagine that work will get tedious because they are checking for the same thing everyday and then filling out the same forms at the office.
I work in government regulation, which seems less dynamic and interesting than the work that might go on at consulting firms and universities, but government work has considerably less pressure and is more stable. I really cannot speak for the day-to-day in private consulting or a university, but I hope it's more interesting than state government regulation. Just try not to get stuck in the cube, unless you don't mind that environment.
Plus, these engineers don't have much a sense of humor.
I'm a hydrogeologist who works for an environmental consulting and engineering firm. Most env engineers in our office deal with permitting. It's not that glamorous or awesome. When I do real science my job is great, but when I get pulled into the engineering side it gets boring real quick.
The day to day stuff has been described relatively well. I'm an environmental engineer and I do modeling, statistics, site assessments and conceptual models, and remedial evaluations. It's got a good blend of biology, chemistry, and engineering. The beauty of environmental engineering over ecology or any other engineering discipline, is that the work is really steady (as opposed to big peaks and valleys). That means you can pretty much guaranteeing that you'll have 35-45 hours all year long, instead of going from 15 to 70 depending on whether or not it's the construction season. Also, sites take a really long time to clean up, and even if it's clean, like a lined landfill with leachate management, they require 30 years of monitoring, reporting and statistics after the site is closed.
If you want to be in a technical field like this, it offers a really nice work-life balance. I can train 7-10 hours a week, and have plenty of time with my wife and two kids. The ecologists that I know are flying all over the country and are often away from their families for long stints. Also, if ecology is really your thing, you can get into wetland delineations and replacement projects to mix the two (as well as environmental impact statements).
It isn't particularly sexy through. I am often running statistics on a site that has 25 years of data and what is one more data point really going to do? It just comes down to values. I love my lifestyle and my family, and make a really good wage. I'd love to be involved with site development and sustainable design, but those projects fry the work-life balance.
If you have any specific questions, I'll check this thread later today.
You posted this question years ago - what have you decided since? Do you enjoy it/regret it?I'm very interested in your response as I am asking myself one and the same thing. It seems like environmental remediation is the most suitable choice. As long as it does not entail too much permitting, paperwork and cubicles. That's what I'm trying to escape.
big picture biologist wrote:
I'm trying to decide whether to become an ecologist or an environmental engineer. I know what ecology work is like, but I don't really know anything about environmental engineering other than the few descriptions I've read online. I thought I would ask letsrun to see if we have any here than can give me a description of the work and what they do. Any help?
I realize this is an old thread, but I'll provide input anyway.
My degree is in environmental engineering, however, I am a licensed professional engineer (P.E.) for Civil Engineering (water resources). I think you'll find the majority of Environmentals work in the Civil category (water/wastewater pipelines, pump stations, treatment plants, etc.). To my knowledge, working in environmental remediation or ecology is different the 'engineering' discipline. My day-to-day work involves a lot of time behind the computer, designing pipelines, pumps, etc, with the occasional trip out to the field to see my design being put in place in the real world. There is no one-size-fits-all for my projects, and that's what I like about it. Every single situation is unique. It can certainly be rewarding, however, unlike structural engineering, there isn't really a tangible product for the public to see at the end of it all. When people turn on their faucet, they expect clean water to come out with no thought as to the amount of work it takes for it to get there. It's more or less an assumed standard of living. With a bridge or a building, people can appreciate the size and amount of work it takes to get it in place.
My point is that it all depends on what you want out of your career. If you're trying to get out of the office a little more, engineering is probably not your best bet. I'd say I spend about 85% of my work time in the office, with 15% in the field. But I can guarantee you, anything related to the environment or anything engineering in general will not be without permitting or paperwork.
Lina Ufimtseva wrote:
You posted this question years ago - what have you decided since? Do you enjoy it/regret it?
I'm very interested in your response as I am asking myself one and the same thing. It seems like environmental remediation is the most suitable choice. As long as it does not entail too much permitting, paperwork and cubicles. That's what I'm trying to escape.
big picture biologist wrote:
I'm trying to decide whether to become an ecologist or an environmental engineer. I know what ecology work is like, but I don't really know anything about environmental engineering other than the few descriptions I've read online. I thought I would ask letsrun to see if we have any here than can give me a description of the work and what they do. Any help?
A lot has happened since I posted this thread. I looked it up because I'm still trying to decide what to do with my life. In the time since I posted this thread originally I have worked in academia in two very different fields (physiology and environmental science) at two universities, and have been working as a fisheries biologist basically for the government the last three years. Even though it's been a good job for me, I am not happy and feel like I could be doing so much more. Besides that, I do not like the culture where I work at all. I don't think switching jobs would really help that much. I need to go back to school for a masters or PhD. All my closest friends are PhDs, but I'm just not really sure what to do with my life. I am considering either an MS in environmental engineering or a PhD in something biology related.
I've actually been feeling a "need" almost (for lack of a better word) to do something quantitative. Math was always by far my best subject, to the extent I scored around the 99.9th percentile in mathematics relative to the general population, but I don't really use much math in what I do now. I feel like I kind of missed my calling as I should have double majored in biology and math or physics or something. I do love biology, physiology, neuroscience, but I spend a lot of time with engineers also, and we have a lot of really good conversations. I find I'm just more "on the same wavelength" as a lot of engineers and academics. There are a lot of really weird people in academia, but there are also some pretty cool, smart, nerdy people. I don't really know what to do with my life at the moment, but I know I can't keep doing what I'm doing now much longer. I'm going crazy. The work I do is meaningless, it requires only about 10% of my brainpower, and I work with people who can't do their jobs correctly even using everything they have. It's maddening and defeating.
Just kind of ranting and venting I guess. Came across this thread and saw your question, so I thought I'd post.
pablo wrote:
I realize this is an old thread, but I'll provide input anyway.
My degree is in environmental engineering, however, I am a licensed professional engineer (P.E.) for Civil Engineering (water resources). I think you'll find the majority of Environmentals work in the Civil category (water/wastewater pipelines, pump stations, treatment plants, etc.). To my knowledge, working in environmental remediation or ecology is different the 'engineering' discipline. My day-to-day work involves a lot of time behind the computer, designing pipelines, pumps, etc, with the occasional trip out to the field to see my design being put in place in the real world. There is no one-size-fits-all for my projects, and that's what I like about it. Every single situation is unique. It can certainly be rewarding, however, unlike structural engineering, there isn't really a tangible product for the public to see at the end of it all. When people turn on their faucet, they expect clean water to come out with no thought as to the amount of work it takes for it to get there. It's more or less an assumed standard of living. With a bridge or a building, people can appreciate the size and amount of work it takes to get it in place.
My point is that it all depends on what you want out of your career. If you're trying to get out of the office a little more, engineering is probably not your best bet. I'd say I spend about 85% of my work time in the office, with 15% in the field. But I can guarantee you, anything related to the environment or anything engineering in general will not be without permitting or paperwork.
I'm about to get into wastewater as an operator. In the testing and interview process right now and I think I'll get it because I have experience, certification, and a degree in it. Eventually it will pay alright. But the downside is probably shift work. Two days, two nights, four days off. Not the healthiest situation, I think. I was thinking of doing an MPA (probably online) in the future and trying to be in management, which should offer a better schedule. Do you have any opinions about this career (ops).
Google "science engineering and gig economy". You need to break free and pursue the thing you've been dreaming about.