Environmental Engineers

The environmental engineers apply the principles of engineering sciences, biology, chemistry, soil sciences and mathematics to fix solutions for environmental problems. The key responsibilities of environmental engineers includes waste disposal, recycling, improving public health and minimizing air and water pollution. These engineers undertake waste management studies and offers advice on treatment and storing or disposal etc. They prepares designs of municipal water supply, conduct research on waste water treatment mechanism and advice government and other organizations regarding a proposed construction projects relating public health and environment.

Role of an Environmental Engineer

Typically an environmental engineer does the following activities:
  • Investigate environment and prepares related reports.
  • Works on projects design related environmental protection; e.g., air pollution control systems, water reclamation facilities and conversion of waste material into energy
  • Undertake environment projects management and guide about them
  • Offers technical support to R&D team of other scientists and engineers working on environmental projects and plans
  • Advice to government and other agencies for cleaning up of polluted sites.

Skills Required for Environmental Engineers

Academic requirement: Academically you need minimum bachelor’s degree i.e. B.E/B.Tech/B.S or equivalent from a recognized institute to start career as a Environmental engineer. The bachelor’s degree in engineering is a 4year program offered to those candidates who have completed K-12 standard of education with physics, chemistry and mathematics. Working with rigorous mathematical and computational formulae and understanding the complex environmental reactions are some necessary trait to enroll in a bachelor’s program in Environmental engineering.

To join postgraduate degree programs like MS, M.Tech and Ph.D in environmental engineering disciplines universities ask for score in standardized test followed by essay test and personality interview. Minimum qualification to join masters level program and higher is graduate qualification in environmental engineering and related discipline.

Personal Skills

To be successful in career one needs to possess the following personality traits:

Analytical skill requirements- Environmental Engineer must possess sound analytical skills to understand the working circumstances of the Environmental systems.

Business Skills Requirements- Environmental Engineer must be good in numbers to predetermine what a project will cost and how a company or government will benefit from it.

Critical Thinking Abilities- Environmental Engineer must be able to think under what circumstances designs, materials and end product or project may fail and what should be alternative options in case of a failure so as to minimize losses. Environmental Engineers work in highly sensitive environments where a small glitch may cost you a fortune within no time.

Team Worker- Environmental Engineer works in team, he / she must need to be a good team worker, able to learn and make others learn in work environment.
   
Writing Skills- Environmental Engineer works in a team with fellow engineers and other coworkers. They should have good writing and designing skills to present clear papers which other team workers could fully understand.

Scope of Environmental Engineering in India

Environmental Engineering can be in multiple fields like Solid waste management, water supply and waste water Treatment, Air Pollution and control. With professionals specialised chemical, biological, thermal, radioactive or even mechanical engineering, enviromental engineering has a lot of scope.  Moreover, professionals from process engineering, environmental chemistry, water and sewage treatment, waste reduction management, pollution prevention, etc are required in large numbers. 

In India, job prospects for professionals with qualification in environmental engineering are bright in research centres, NGOs and various governmental departments working towards a greener and cleaner city. Candidates with M.Tech in environmental engineering have opportunities to work for government. They also built assessment committees which study and analyse the environmental risks involved in certain projects. Scholars with PhD background in environmental engineering can opt for teaching jobs in colleges and universities.

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