Engineering Career Question: What does an environmental engineer do?

It's time to answer another of your career questions, this time with one from Ryan in Illinois:

I'm pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. I'm getting increasingly worried about what I will do when I graduate. I'm just not sure what EXACTLY I would be doing in any job directly related to mechanical engineering.
Will I be doing differential equations like the problems coming out of my book for homework?
Will I be creating my own differential equations?
Or Will I be solving the simply set up statics problems in my homework?

Basically, Ryan is worried that he's not getting a taste of how he'll put the skills he's learning to use in the real world once he graduates.

I think that's a pretty common fear, Ryan, one that most of use face no matter what career we're heading toward.

Ryan tells me he's only a sophomore, so there's still plenty of time to learn what it's like in the real world -- and to adjust career goals accordingly, if you feel it's necessary.

First things first, you can't go wrong with an internship -- or several. You're early enough in your schooling that you could have two summer internships and one more during an upcoming semester, maybe for credit. (This might even be a requirement of your school program.)

Second, take a look at the definition of a mechanical engineer, which is quite broad. Here's a description from a rival school:

Mechanical engineers are typically involved with the generation, distribution, and use of energy; the processing of materials; the control and automation of manufacturing systems; the design and development of machines; and the solutions to environmental problems.

Research, testing manufacturing, operations, marketing, and administration are some other key activities associated with practicing Mechanical Engineers.

Mechanical engineers are characterized by personal creativity, breadth of knowledge, and versatility. They are also valuable and reliable multidisciplinary team members.

The technical subject areas that form the main basis for their work include mechanics, energy transfer and conversion, design and manufacturing, and the engineering sciences. Through clever use of analysis, modeling, design, and synthesis, they solve important problems to improve quality of life.

Mechanical engineers work on teams responsible for developing a wide range of products and systems including, for example, space shuttle vehicles, aircraft of all sizes and shapes, automobiles, turbines, pumps, power plants, and factories.

Virtually any machine or process you can think of has benefited from the influence of a mechanical engineer.

With such a broad range of tasks and possibilities, mechanical engineers can either specialize (say, in modeling) or become generalists, covering just about anything. You can work in environmental issues, refrigeration, aircraft, or just about anything else you want.

So what to do next? Consider a minor or a second major in a related field. This could give you some specific information that will complement your education as a mechanical engineer.

Next, get out of the classroom. Try to meet some working, professional mechanical engineers, either through local IEEE events, conferences, or other gatherings. Ask them questions. Have them tell you what they do. Ask how their education related to their work once they hit the real world.

Finally, talk to your professors. Your classwork might not give you much perspective into your future work, but maybe a one-on-one session with one or more of your teachers might help to shine the light on your classwork so you understand it in the context of your eventual career.

It's tough to commit to four (or more) years of education without truly understanding what you're going to be doing when you graduate, but you can't depend on anyone else to tell you where you're going to go. Ask questions, open your mind, and learn as much as you can -- before it's too late.

Good luck!