Jobs Specific to Environmental Engineering

Because technology is always changing, job titles and work settings change, so the niche you set your cap for may be listed under new and expanded headings by the time you have your B.S. Positions for environmental engineers are widespread throughout industry, government, research organizations, management, and consulting. The need exists worldwide for environmental engineers to find solutions to our human needs.

Environmental engineers can choose career opportunities from designing waste treatment facilities and developing management strategies, to creating predictive models of human impacts on the environment and conducting research. They can work with carbon management, structural safety, water and air quality, transportation infrastructure, and sustainability. The list is far too long for this overview.

Environmental engineering degrees can lead to jobs in the power industry, with architectural and engineering firms, engineering consulting firms, and city, state and federal government.

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What is an Electrical Engineer?

Electrical engineers study electronics, electromagnetism, and the application of electricity. The products they develop are used in medical technology, game systems, cell phones, robotics, cars, green technologies, and navigation systems, just touching lightly on the list.

Nearly everything that defines modern civilization is linked to electrical engineering. These engineers work in labs, offices, and industries. They develop systems for power generation, transmission, and distribution—have you heard about "the grid?"

In addition to the subjects mentioned above (and still touching only briefly on the scope), this expertise covers power switches (solar, wind, geothermal), design of power systems, and architectural planning. Electrical engineering is behind the development of every electronic thing within your grasp.

Electrical engineers focus on computer systems design, components, and processes. They incorporate research or management using specialized, hands-on knowledge and dealing with public, private, and academic sectors. They are dedicated to continuing education, on-the-job learning, leadership, and applying new techniques to new situations.

The sciences of physics and mathematics are fundamental to this profession, but technical focus accounts for only a fraction of this work. Making proposals to clients, preparing budgets, and calculating project schedules consumes much of these engineers' time. Senior-level engineers often manage a team, so project management skills and strong communication skills are vital.

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Computer Engineering Career Advancement & Salary

 

Career Advancement

Just like their educational background, the job market for Computer Engineers is very broad. Rewarding careers are found in many areas. Robotic manufacturing, security equipment, medical diagnostic devices and personal electronics virtually all have some sort of computer in them.

The breadth of this industry means there are many opportunities to expand your skills as well as move up in responsibility and compensation.

Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer Hardware Engineers make a median annual salary of $98,610. Jobs in Computer Engineering are, like many other high-paying careers, most available in the Northeast and Southwest. Jobs in Computer Engineering are expected increase by 9% annually. The job market is expanding, and average salaries in the field are respectable.

Studying Computer Engineering can lead to a very rewarding career at the cutting edge of technology. Since virtually every modern device you own has some form of microprocessor in it, there is a growing need for Computer Engineers to design and integrate them. The job market is expanding, and average salaries in the field are respectable.

If you love math and science and want to be a part of the growing technology world, look into one of the many available Computer Engineering college degrees and get started in a rewarding career.

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What is the Main Focus of a Civil Engineer?

 

"Civil engineering is the oldest and most diverse branch of engineering. In its broadest sense, the civil engineer adapts the physical features of the earth to the needs of society. According to the University of Florida, approximately one out of four engineers is engaged in civil engineering."

Civil engineers design, construct, maintain, and operate infrastructures, while simultaneously safeguarding public and environmental health and upgrading neglected structures and systems. Civil engineering reaches from the natural environment to the constructed environment, focusing on interactions between the two, with an emphasis on sustainability.

Combining atmospheric and energy sciences, civil-engineers study climate, air pollution, and weather, addressing problems which might be solved through renewable energy systems. They examine the availability of renewable resources (wind, hydropower and solar), and best practices for their combinations. These kinds of research brought about the first data based wind map and examine the effects of alternative fuels on air pollution.

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Chemical Engineering Career Outlook

 There are too many lab and field study requirements to make online study suitable for a conventional B.S. in chemical engineering, but it is possible to earn a master of science degree in chemical engineering (MSCHE) online, through some sources. These opportunities are designed for outstanding students who already have engineering degrees. Qualifications and prerequisites are stringent.

Through chemical processes, chemical engineers find new and creative ways of making those things that improve our lives. Their work ranges from developing better skin-care products to finding materials that are more fire-resistant. Chemical engineers can be part of an innovative team at a manufacturing facility or working in cutting-edge research.
As a chemical engineer, you might be a quality control specialist for a corporation that manufactures cleaning products or jet airplanes. You might be discovering less destructive and more sustainable ways to extract and use natural resources. You might be designing or discovering the latest sensation in the eye care industry, better aerosol propellants, more durable paints, and ways to preserve foods and medicines longer. The sky is not the limit; it is just another avenue for what you might discover.

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Biomedical Engineering Degrees

A relatively new discipline, biomedical engineering involves research and development that combine medical and biological sciences for the advancement of all healthcare disciplines. It is a growing and evolving career field and according to CNNMoney.com, is the #1 Best Job for 2012 in America.

Some biomedically-engineered phenomena include regenerative tissue growth, pharmaceuticals, high-tech prostheses, diagnostic imaging equipment, and micro-implants. Biomedical engineering includes an increasing subset of specialties. Some of those specialties include:

Tissue Engineering

Organ transplants made from patients' own tissue, offer a quality of life not possible with donor organs. This field has produced solid jawbones and tracheas from human stem cells. Artificial bladders have been developed and successfully transplanted into humans.

Genetic Engineering

Manipulates an organism's genes on a molecular level. Some applications include improved crops, synthetic insulin, and the production of mice more suitable for cancer research.

Neural Engineering

Centers on the repair of neural systems—those pathways that tell our muscles when to move. All paralysis victims have an interest in this science on some level.

Pharmaceutical Engineering

Falls into both biomedical and chemical engineering categories. While some pharmaceuticals have upfront need of biological agents, even the development of chemical drugs requires BME knowledge.

Medical Devices

Cover all health care products not developed primarily through chemical means. They aid in disease diagnoses, cures, treatment, and prevention. Examples include prostheses, pacemakers, life-sustaining machines, artificial organs, and non-organic implants.

Medical Imaging

Equipment essential to diagnoses typically accounts for hospitals' most complex tools. Radiological techniques through ultrasound, magnetism, and UV, are among medical/biomedical imaging equipment achievements.

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Automotive Engineering Career & Salary

The few universities that offer online automotive engineering degrees do so only at the master’s degree level. The student gains only theoretical knowledge from an online master's degree. The student does not receive any hands-on experience, which can be important to landing a job in automotive engineering. The online programs assume that the student received hands-on experience while obtaining the bachelor's degree. Therefore, online master's degree programs in automotive engineering are meant for the working automotive engineer.

In 2011, automotive engineers earned an average income of $117,600 in 2011. This was a 10 percent increase from the 2010 median salary of $107,000, according to SAE International.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers provide helpful information about scholarships and financial aid, design and racing competitions and networking opportunities. Automotive engineering students should consider participating in SAE’s “Collegiate Design Series.” These competitions are great opportunities for students to apply their book knowledge to the design, building and testing of an actual motor vehicle. Additionally, students can show off their talents to recruiters for prospective employers.

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Audio Engineering Degree

 

Audio engineering is an intricate blend of science and creativity. It involves technical aspects of equipment set-up and operation, but also requires a creative side to enhance and blend the sounds to produce the desired effects.

Often called sound engineers, these professionals are highly sought after in all areas of the entertainment industry. Musicians depend on audio engineers in the studio and in live performances to polish their sound and to keep it consistent throughout each recording or performance. Audio engineers mix the music and enhance the balance to provide the best final product. In television and movies, audio engineers are responsible for all of the sound effects, music, and sound levels heard in the video productions. Even radio depends on sound engineers to keep their stations operating properly. There are other careers available to audio engineers, but the entertainment industry provides the most opportunity.

For those interested in pursuing a career in the audio engineering field, there are three different levels of degrees available. An Associate in Applied Science will teach the basics of working in the industry. The Bachelor of Science degree goes more in depth in both the music and technical aspects of the business. The Master's degree programs focus on very specific aspects of audio engineering.

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Real Life Example of an Applied Engineer

As a project engineer for Applied Engineering, Mike Jamieson daily exhibits the range of skills a practitioner in the field must master to excel. He interfaces with internal and external team members and associates in-person and over e-mail every morning. He then focusses on business activities such as speaking with various suppliers on product inventory, consulting with clients on budget requirements and researching options on the internet. In the afternoon, he often leaves the office to visit clients and ongoing projects. He enjoys the opportunity to get out of the office and into the field to interact live with people. For example, on one project he consulted with one of the managers on an HVAC system for a residential structure, specifically the ductwork and airflow systems. Later in the afternoon, he returns to the office to revisit projects he initially tacked in the morning. He may attend more meetings to deliver presentations on status or negotiate with suppliers to acquire the best pricing for a client project. Demonstrating his commitment to continuous education, Jamieson in the evenings attends functions featuring industry thought leaders who make presentations on recent development in technology and best practices. In the past, he attended a dinner featuring a presentation by a professor at Purdue University who presented a talk on refrigeration concepts and developing compressor innovations. Ultimately, each day presents him with a range of challenges and learning experiences that enrich him.

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Main Focus of an Agricultural Engineering Degree

Agricultural engineering degrees prepare students to work professionally in the many fields of agriculture. Subsets of the studies belonging to the classification of agriculture offer unlimited opportunities for involvement in this field. Demand for Agricultural Engineers has grown over the last 10 years.

Degrees in agricultural engineering cover all aspects of the industry, from water and waste issues, massive farming of foods and livestock, water farming, farming equipment, and farm economics to genetically designed corn and cows.

Earning a degree gives students textbook knowledge and hands-on vision of their chosen field. Fieldwork and laboratory projects combined with actual practice provide a well-rounded education.

The bachelor of science is the first degree to obtain. While majoring in agricultural engineering, a student can minor is any other field. Often students will minor in a related subject such as economics, to enhance their food engineering major, for example.

Graduate students are eligible to pursue a number of advanced degrees, including the Master of Science, Master of Engineering, Master of Agriculture, Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Engineering. These students can major in bioacoustics, biomaterials science, bioprocess engineering, environmental and 

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Master of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering

Graduate students seeking a master's or doctorate degrees to augment their undergraduate or graduate education can take advanced courses in:

• Aerodynamics and fluid mechanics
  • The study of air flow over a body, such as the wings on an aircraft or spacecraft.

• Aeroelasticity and structural dynamics
  • The study of how inertial, elastic and aerodynamic forces interact.

• Flight mechanics and control
  • The study of how forces affect a flight vehicle, how it responds to those forces and how to modify the vehicle to achieve the desired goals.

• Propulsion and combustion
  • The study of creating mechanical power using internal combustion engines, jet engines, turbomachinery, propellers, wings, fins, and wheel and axles to generate force causing motion.

• Structural mechanics and materials behavior
  • The study of the stress and strain on the components of a flight vehicle.

• System design and optimization
• The study of the application of algorithms to improve the performance, weight, reliability and/or cost of aircraft and spacecraft systems.

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Acoustic Engineering Education Requirements

 

Acoustic Engineering

Acoustic engineers focus their efforts on the shaping and control of sound. They work to manipulate and capture the vibration of sound by harnessing the best quality for hearing. These engineers work to manage noise control in a variety of industrial, commercial and domestic settings. Acoustic engineers develop noise buffers and sound barriers to optimize hearing as well as refine technology used in recording and live performance such as microphones and amplifiers. Moreover, they often work to develop solutions for transferring sound energy into electricity. Other professionals in the field design interiors by selecting specific construction materials and aesthetic products to customize the sound experience of a given living or work environment. Private enterprises in the fields of construction, architecture, and entertainment are a few of the employers seeking the expertise of these professionals. They often strive to perfect the sound experience in concert halls and recording studios, while others may employ their skills in the healthcare industry with work on equipment like hearing aids.

These types of professionals may be asked to perform a variety of duties based on the industry they choose to employ their skills and knowledge. In the construction industry, engineers may execute sound and environmental evaluations on a building to ensure it meets codes and regulations. They may examine how alterations in the design of a structure may impact sound quality. In an industrial setting, these professionals utilize digital hardware and software to determine means for lessening sound disruptions in a work facility, while inquiring into how vibrations impact factory equipment or transportation structures such as a bridge or automobile. In the entertainment sphere, these professionals often work to optimize sound quality in recording studios and in live performance venues, evaluating how structures, materials and digital equipment and software enhance sound quality. Often, bioengineering firms seek these professionals to address how ultrasound and other forms of technology provide the best treatment options for patients under a medical professional’s care. Firms across the world like Sony, LA Live, the NFL, Bose, and Honda are a few of the huge companies seeking the services of these acoustic experts.

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Career Outlook for Vehicle Engineers

Professionals in this field have been integral in developing the hybrid electric car technology that has transformed the automotive industry. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) provides a bevy of resources for current and aspiring engineers in the field. Moreover, the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), furnish professionals and students with transformative knowledge and tools to embolden their ability to thrive as technology and techniques evolve. There are regular updates on news in the industry, events, seminars and educational conferences to enhance and develop the skills of the community. In addition, professionals capitalize on networking and mentoring opportunities as well as recruiting efforts from major corporations like Ford Motor Co. and General Electric. Based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment opportunities for these engineers is expected to grow through the year 2020 by 9 percent. The U.S. cities with the most opportunities and highest salaries for these professionals are Detroit and Auburn Hills, Michigan. The states of California and Texas are the next two locations with the greatest career prospects. According to statistics at O*Net salary data, these engineers earned a median salary of $82,100.

Ford Motor Company is one of many companies that value and actively recruit vehicle engineering professionals to their organization. In a Detroit News profile of Alana Strager, a Ford program manager with a background in the field, the executive illuminated the various duties and responsibilities she performs daily in their work producing the Ford F-150 truck. Her background enabled her to seamlessly lead a team of engineers and product developers in refining a product that served their customers’ needs while featuring the latest technological features. Known as the “Queen of Innovation”, Strager helped assemble a team of insightful marketers, astute engineers, and expert designers in developing a product coveted by a range of consumers. Her work on the truck’s BoxLink technology particularly illustrated the medley of skills demanded and refined by the engineering profession. The system consists of four slots located in the interior of the truck’s bed that enable users to fasten supplies, materials, and other objects to the truck. Though the bed features fixed mounting slots, the metallic cleats may be removed, enabling the feature to be customized based on the flexible needs of customers. In Strager’s view, people purchase vehicles like the Ford F-150 to help each other, thereby underscoring not only the practical utility of the truck but its social community component as well. Her career at Ford illuminates the importance in vehicle engineering of developing well-rounded skills to execute technological initiatives that address consumer needs in the global marketplace.

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Transport Engineering Work Nature:

Transportation engineering focuses on the design and development of public transportation infrastructure and systems. As a discipline of civil engineering, practitioners endeavor to create roads, bridges, mass transit systems and other modes of transport to enhance society. In this capacity, these practitioners may design, operate and repair any of these assets with the aim of producing fast, efficient, safe, cost-effective, and sustainable forms of transport. Airport, highway, railroad and port engineering are all subsets of the discipline.

Learn more about becoming a transport engineer by contacting the schools below to request information about their programs! On a daily basis, transport engineers juggle a medley of tasks from interfacing with clients and suppliers in-person and over e-mail to meeting with their teams to receive project status updates and to address any complications in a project lifecycle. More business-oriented professionals may attend strategy sessions with their executive teams and/or meet with current and potential investors to discuss prospective opportunities in the market place. In the evenings, many professionals engage in continuing education initiatives, whereby they may take a course on new technological advances and/or attend a presentation by an academic or industry practitioner to receive insight on best practices or solutions to existing problems.

National and local governments, as well as private firms, seek to employ these professionals for global projects, where they are given the responsibility to ensure safety and efficiency, whereby they are entrusted to ensure public safety by meeting building codes and standards through computer hardware and software applications.

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Real Life Impact of Thermal Engineers

 Thermal engineers have been instrumental in changing the way people find and use energy throughout the world as well as in pushing space exploration into new realms. Most people think of Google as an Internet search engine company, but the firm has expanded its resources into creating better energy solutions for the planet. The firm actively recruits thermal engineers to work on its project for developing clean and affordable power grids. Their Energy Access team endeavors to recruit and nurture engineers to its efforts, underscoring its conviction in its identity as an engineering firm.

Moreover, the University College London (UCL) Mullard Space Science Laboratory considers the work of its thermal engineers as vital for enhancing space exploration initiatives. One of their professionals, Christine Brockley-Blatt, has exemplified the seamless transition these practitioners make from the classroom to real world applications. After completing her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and Physics, Brockley-Blatt completed an internship with an aerospace firm, whereby she trained on a project dealing with the landing gear and propeller technology for a medley of aircraft models. She then applied more of her thermal engineering training to an automotive firm. With UCL she currently works as a project manager on cooling technology in outer space exploration solutions. On a daily basis, she employs calculations in mechanical and thermal capacities, performs project management duties, and demonstrates oral and written communications. Her rich educational background and professional experience illuminate the depth and versatility the field requires of its practitioners to excel.

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Software Engineering Degrees

Most people are familiar with older, more traditional engineering fields such as mechanical, civil, or electrical. Software Engineering is a relatively new discipline, but in today’s increasingly interconnected world, it is becoming more and more important.

Software Engineering differs from Computer Science or Web Design in that you are formulating how the overall software system functions, and how it works within its intended hardware environment.

Software Engineers are responsible for every phase of a development project, not just for writing the computer code. Upon the initiation of a project, they make sure requirements are documented and validated.

This assures the entire project is working toward the correct goal. They then move on to system design, often overseeing the creation of software prototypes to present to clients for additional validation.

Once the design is solid, Software Engineers manage the overall development effort to make sure the pieces are coming together as planned. Finally, they create and oversee test cases which assure system functionality is complete and traceable to the requirements generated at the time of project initiation.

Software Engineering is the discipline that makes sure computer systems are developed methodically and result in building the right product with quality built in from the beginning.

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Day in the Life of a Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineers typically design equipment to extract oil and gas, and develop ways to force oil out of wells through injection of water, chemicals, gases, or steam.

They develop drilling plans, survey, evaluate, and test wells. They use computer-controlled drilling to connect separated deposits to a single well. They ensure proper installation, maintenance, and operation of oil field equipment.

Reservoir engineers optimize production with proper well placement and enhanced recovery techniques. Drilling engineers oversee the technical aspects of drilling exploration, production, and injection wells. Production and subsurface engineers direct connections between reservoirs and wells, overseeing downhole monitoring equipment and flow control, sand control, and perforations.

They select surface equipment to separate fluids (oil, natural gas, and water), and they evaluate artificial lift methods.

Emerging career choices involve pollution cleanup, hydrology, and underground waste disposal (the subsurface injection of carbon dioxide to reduce greenhouse gases). Petroleum engineers are also educated in geothermal energy production, in situ uranium leaching, and coal gasification.

The known worldwide oil and gas reserves are larger than ever. Found in diverse areas, these resources provide opportunities for assignments in the Middle East, Asia, South America, Australia, and beyond.

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