<p>I apologize if this question has already been asked, but for you experienced engineers out there, what are the job possibilities/best routes to take for a very liberal-minded mechanical engineering student who wants to focus on combatting climate change and sustainability issues? My son is a sophomore at UT Austin, GPA about a 3.2 and currently looking for a summer internship. He is applying to some companies in Oregon that make recycling equipment, and of course other companies of all sorts as he really needs work experience, but would like the opinion of you all on job areas to focus on. Given his liberal/green bent, perhaps he would have been better off as an environmental engineering major (?) but he chose ME because of its versatility and because he really like all the physics in it. There must be a need in the world for engineers who want to help make the planet a cleaner, better place. Thanks in advance for your thoughts. (Forgot to mention he will be studying in Stockholm for a semester at a university that specializes in sustainability issues.)</p>
<p>Any sort of company that does what he considers “clean” or “green” power generation.</p>
<p>Bicycle companies.</p>
<p>If he considers electric cars “greener” than other cars, perhaps an electric car company.</p>
<p>Remember also that many engineering jobs involve coming up with designs that do the desired function but use less materials, energy, etc. to produce. Using less materials, energy, etc. means saving money that would be spent on such, so both kinds of “green” (environment and money) motivations can be aligned.</p>
<p>“My son is a sophomore at UT Austin, GPA about a 3.2 and currently looking for a summer internship.” - It’s can be tough to get an internship as a sophomore. If he finds one in what he considers a “green” industry great. If not, really any experience gained will be helpful. Good luck! </p>
<p>I think him sticking with mechanical engineering would be wise. It’s a very diverse degree and he can go wherever he wants. Environmental engineering sounds “green”, but it’s not any more “green” than mechanical engineering. </p>
<p>Environmental engineering is essentially–depending on the particular area of environmental engineering–civil engineering and/or chemical engineering. Somebody who wants to make the world “greener” would be best served with a degree in mechanical, chemical, or electrical engineering, as all three of these are fields in which significant research on energy, conservation, and efficiency is conducted.</p>