Are you interested in sustainability? Are maths and science some of your favourite subjects right now? Then, becoming an Environmental Engineer is a career path you should consider!
This article will give you the low-down of what being an Environmental Engineer is all about — from a typical day at work to industry trends to advice from a current Environmental Engineer.
So, let’s dive in!
Meet Mark
What is an Environmental Engineer?
成为环保工程师的步骤
Future Outlook
Best Thing & Worst Thing
Advice for Aspiring Environmental Engineers
Meet Mark
How did you end up in this role?
“我是一名近南威尔士州交通运输的毕业生环境工程师。我目前在我的第三个6个月的安置，在纽卡斯尔的猎人环境团队工作,” Mark tells us, ”I applied for the role through Seek, and managed to be successful!”
Thegraduate program with Transport for NSWconsists offour 6-month work placements in various teams. For example, Mark’s first placement was in the Northern Environment Team which mostly providedenvironmental advice for projects in bridge maintenance, road maintenance and vegetation clearing.
Grad programs area great way to dip your toe into many different sectors of a company, so by the end of it, you’ll have a clearer idea of what you’d like to pursue in a full-time capacity! If you’re keen on getting started in a grad program, make sure to start searching and applying for them before you graduate.
Studies and Experience
“I studied a double degree at the University of Newcastle(Bachelor of Environmental Engineering and Bachelor of Science Biology),” Mark says.
在实习方面，标志已完成a month-long work experience as an undergraduate at Zenviron是一家建造风和太阳能农场的民用建筑公司。毕业后，他worked as a Graduate Engineer at Zenviron for one year.
是什么让你想在这个行业工作？
WithMark对环境以及运输业的兴趣，南威尔士州交通工具对他来说绝对完美！
What is an Environmental Engineer?
Environmental Engineersspecialise in promoting sustainable infrastructure and checking on the long-term environmental impact of engineering projects. Through sustainability assessments and the analysis of results, they find solutions or develop improved methods to these engineering projects.
A lot of the work requirescalculationsand a general knack forstrategic planning!
Roles and Responsibilities
As an Environmental Engineer, there are usually two types of work days for Mark.
“The first isan office or working from home day,” Mark explains.
“On these days,我通常会回复任何电子邮件，审查环境因素文件的环境批准和审查，为客户和利益攸关方提供环境咨询, catch up and chat with colleagues, attend meetings and look up the latest environmental news and project updates.”
The second type of day is field work. “Usually starting early (sometimes before the sun is up), I willtravel out to various work sites for inspections, to provide advice on any environmental issues that may be occurring, inform engineers of the level of environmental assessment required for various projectsand generally enjoy being out and about in the field,” Mark says.
Which industries can this career be found in?
There arefour main industriesthat Environmental Engineers work in!
58.6%of Environmental Engineers work in theProfessional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry. Coming second at15.3%是个Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Industry. Then, the last two industries are thePublic Administration and Safety Industryand theMining Industry.
Characteristics and Qualities
Thetop 5 knowledge areasof an Environmental Engineer are:
- Engineeringand technology
- Technical Design
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematical
The knowledge area of Engineering and technology relates tothe ability to design and implement improved sustainability methods除了检查工程项目的环境健康标准，是否满足了.Similarly, an Environmental Engineer’s knowledge area of Technical Design is key toplanning out appropriate assessment methods and processes during fieldwork days!
Of course, these are all foregrounded in the foundational knowledge ofchemistry, physics and mathematics——这些科目通知所有的评估和再保险asoning behind the work of an Environmental Engineer.
成为环保工程师的步骤
What should you study?
To be qualified in working as an Environmental Engineer,you need to study a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering majoring in Environmental Engineering!Although it is not necessary, it is common to complete postgraduate studies to deepen and specialise your engineering knowledge.
Check out these universities where you can major in Environmental Engineering:
成为环保工程师需要多长时间？
A Bachelor of Engineeringtypically takes four years of full-time study. As soon as you start working a job as an Environmental Engineer, you are considered one!
Industry Knowledge
On top of physical fieldwork tests, most Environmental Engineers useMATLABandExcelfor statistical analysis. So if you want to get a head start and familiarise yourself with the functions of these programs, it’ll only benefit you in the future!
What will this career look like in the future?
How in-demand is this career?
With theincreasing impact of climate change, Environmental Engineers are more than ever playing an important part in the world.
“环保工程师将是in demand to work on practical environmental solutions for companies, governments and businesses, now and into the future,” Mark says.
“Recently, there has been重点转向环境，减少环境影响, with legislation requiring organisations to do so.”
Are there opportunities to grow or specialise?
Short answer: “Absolutely!“马克告诉我们”，“环保工程师涵盖了这种广泛的专业范围。从contaminated site remediation, to mining, transport, marine, construction, soiland so on.”
As the capacities of technology shape our physical world, there’llalways be new projects for Environmental Engineers to take part in. For Transport for NSW, Environmental Engineers are working on the new major road and rail construction projects such asNorthconnex and the Parramatta light rail.
If you’re genuinely considering a career in Environmental Engineering, you’ll always have something new or interesting to work on!
Salary
| Annual Salary | Future Growth | Skill Level Rating |
|---|---|---|
| $112,000+ | 在未来5年内非常强大 | Very high skill |
Influential Trends and the Future of this Industry
Undoubtedly, the biggest trend for Environmental Engineers isthe growing consequences of climate change.
Theneed for sustainable engineering solutionsis a driving factor for the rapid and strong growth of the industry. This goes into every aspect of the human-made and natural world such as in transport and air quality.
Working within environmental engineering means thatyou could be making a big difference with the work you door coming up with solutions that will improve the world we live in.
Best Thing & Worst Thing
What do you enjoy most about this job?
“The field work is always fun and enjoyable — being able to go outside and enjoy some good weather makes the day go quick! It hardly feels like work,” Mark says. “I love being out and about outside and seeing the wide variety of projects that Transport for NSW conducts.”
这项工作中最糟糕的部分是什么？
对于标志来说，工作中最糟糕的一部分要做“很多阅读和审查环境文件“.
“它可能很累，所以我试图用现场工作来平衡它!” he says.
With all roles, there are going to be aspects that you aren’t necessarily a fan of— for Mark, it’s the paperwork aspect, but like he said, the field work aspect of the role makes each and every day of work different, so it all balances out!
Advice for Aspiring Environmental Engineers
在你开始在这个职业生涯之前，你希望你知道什么？
“How broad the field is. An environmental engineering degree can open up so many doors,” Mark says.
Mark’s top advice is “to take any opportunity that comes your way!”
As he’s explained,environmental engineering as a degree can give you such a versatile career, so don’t be afraid to explore all the options that you have.
Why should people consider taking on this career?
“The work is very satisfying.I like to know that I have had an impact on improving the environmental outcomes for various projects“马克告诉我们。
“There are充足的获得就业和发展的机会your career，支付也不太破旧。“因此，如果您对环境充满热情，有一个诀窍数学，如果环境工程是您选择追求的东西，您可以弥补！
Job Flexibility
“Transport for NSW has made a real shift to offering flexible working hours.We are able to work from home, dial in to meetings remotely and work hours that suit us,” Mark explains. “The 35 hour week and flex time accrual [flexible working hours] contributes to a great work-life balance.”
All companies differ, but the benefits that Mark gets from working for Transport for NSW are令人敬畏的达到健康的工作生活平衡。
What is the workplace culture like?
“I have experienced a great workplace culture.Friendly, yet professional — everyone I have met is happy to help out, have a chat and a laugh while still getting the job done,” Mark says.
“There issupport for mental health, andgroups for wellbeing, LGBTIQ+, fitness, pets and even cooking!”
Curious to learn about the other types of engineering roles that exist? Check out our guide这里！
Lynn Chenis a Content Writer at Art of Smart Education and is a Communication student at UTS with a major in Creative Writing. Lynn’s articles have been published in Vertigo, The Comma, and Shut Up and Go. In her spare time, she also writes poetry.
