How to Become an Environmental Engineer

Time for another career question from our readers! This one comes from Lauren, who is almost done with college but wants to know if she needs to change her path to become an environmental engineer:

I am about to graduate in May with a bachelor's in biology and french. This year, as I've been considering where to look for a job and talking to many people in my field, I've come to realize that what I'm interested in is probably more in environmental engineering.

What is your advice on where to try to find a job, what changes I need to make to pursue that field from a biologist standpoint, or if I simply need to go back to school to take some courses in engineering?

Well Lauren, you might still qualify for a basic environmental engineering job, which will require good knowledge in math and science. But according to the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, most jobs in the field require at least a BS in engineering, either civil, mechanical or environmental.

Written skills and good old "people skills" are also essential.

My advice, since you're about to graduate, go ahead and search for environmental engineering jobs on Experience.com (there are quite a few listed today, and most only say "a four-year degree is required," not what KIND of degree), then send out your resume. Play up your skills in math and science, and your communication skills, and anything else you might have that fits. See how the companies respond. If they're willing to give you a go in a beginning level position, you can then start taking courses more specific to your new field while you're working. Maybe even start working toward your Masters. Heck, some companies would even help pay for your continuing education!

If that doesn't work, yeah, you might need to go back to or stay in school to refocus your skill-set. But give it a try first. You don't know how employers will respond until you put yourself in front of them.

Good luck!

Need for Hydrologists Expected to Grow 24%

Looking for a good career? Think water.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for hydrologists will rise 24% in the next few years. This will be driven by agricultural needs as well as the need for fresh water for a growing world population.

How does one get to be a hydrologist? According to a report in The New York Times, "Most hydrologists did not earn degrees in hydrology; in fact, only a handful of undergraduate and graduate hydrology programs exist across the country. It is far more common for hydrologists to come from a hard-science or engineering background."

According to the article, math skills are essential for careers in hydrology, as are good oral and written communication skills.

So how does this play out for job-seekers? I just did a quick search for "hydrology" on Experience.com and turned up 25 jobs (3/16/09, 1:44pm).

Worth a look!

Tech jobs on the rise (but mostly in temporary positions)

The atmosphere for tech jobs isn't rosy these days, but it is far from sour, according to a recent study by Dice.com. They found that job openings in the tech sector were up dramatically at the beginning of February, although the bad news is that most of the growth came from temporary, contract positions.

Okay, so contract positions are not full-time, 'keep-em-forever jobs,' and often lack medical benefits, but there are huge reasons to take advantage of contract jobs while they're available:

1. You get paid. Nothing wrong with that!
2. You'll meet a whole lot of people. Expand your network. Every time you meet someone, add them to your address book. If you get to know them half-way well, add them to your social networks (like LinkedIn and Facebook). Keep in touch after you move on, especially if you do a memorable job.
3. You get a work history in your field. You'd rather have a top tech company on your resume for three months than a blank spot where you weren't employed, or a job at Starbucks, right?
4. You'll gain valuable experience. In addition to work experience, you'll see how things run at different companies. Cultures vary from corporation to corporation, and you can learn valuable lessons by observing different rules, methodologies, meeting styles, and the like. (Plus, broad experience early on will help you avoid becoming rigid later in life.)
   
5. You might be able to get job recommendations for other jobs. Do a good job, and you'll have contacts and past posses who can recommend you for any full-time jobs you apply for later on. Or people you're working with might hear about a full-time job opening and let you know about it. The inside track is always the best! Speaking of which...
   
6. You could be in the right place at the right time. Even if a company isn't hiring full-time workers now, they might be in the future. And known quantities are always more attractive than strangers. Keep an eye on the company job boards, and when a full-time position comes up, make it clear that you're interested. The company could find they have the perfect employee right under their noses!

So don't rule out contract positions in your job search. Even a temporary job is better than no job at all!

March 13 is Hug an Engineer Day!

Friday the 13th normally brings bad luck, but this month, it brings hugs! Hugs for engineers!

That's right, this month, March 13th is "Hug and Engineer Day." So far, in the official Facebook group for the event, more than 53,000 people have signed up to attend.

What a great way to meet a few people, spread the word about your chosen profession, and get some love all at once!

Go ahead and sign up. Maybe you'll meet someone important next Friday!

While you're at it, don't neglect the networking features on Experience.com. Don't have an account yet? Create one today.