Just about every large-scale human activity
has an impact on the environment.
Preventing damage, and managing it when it does occur,
is the job of environmental engineers.
This is a career that combines practicality and creativity
to keep air, soil, and water quality healthy and productive.
Environmental engineers use research and design skills
to manage waste treatment and pollution control efforts.
They also use a variety of tools, and the latest technology,
to find efficient ways to monitor environmental well-being.
Since much of their work involves meeting
government regulations, environmental engineers
need to be experts at requesting permits
and maintaining plans and procedures
that insure others support the systems they put in place.
Environmental engineers divide their work
between the office and the outdoors.
They often do some traveling to collaborate
with scientists and experts in law or business.
Many work as consultants to help corporations
and government agencies with cleanup of contaminated sites.
A master’s degree in environmental engineering
or a related field is required for some positions,
while other positions require only a bachelor’s degree.
When this job is done well, the earth gains a little protection,
so future generations can enjoy its bounty.