<p>I would like some ideas about engineering positions (and majors) that focus on working outdoors. My son is interested in engineering but is very high energy, enjoys physical labor, and would rather be roughing it than sitting at a desk. Though he has the academic skills for engineering, I don't think he would be happy in the long run if his career kept him indoors all the time.</p>
<p>Petroleum engineering and civil engineering give more opportunities to work outdoors.</p>
<p>Would he ever consider surveying? Those guys are outdoors a lot! I’ve thought of that career for my middle son, because I cannot picture him ever being happy sitting at a desk all day!</p>
<p>MTA: I use the term “guys” to mean mean or women! LOL, an engineer at a meeting the other night used the phrase “guys” more than once to refer to the small audience, then got flustered each time when he remembered that there was one woman (me) in the audience. Geez, I don’t mind being one of the guys! “Guys” is a generic term, at least in the northeast.</p>
<p>Take a look at civil and more specifically, environmental engineering.</p>
<p>A ChemE in the refining business and in most outdoor plants</p>
<p>Construction engineering would be great… It’s a subdivision of civil engineering.</p>
<p>I was going to post a thread about this topic (outdoors/travel) myself! I’d love to work outdoors or be able to travel. Being stuck in a lab/behind a desk all the time is not the type of career I intended my education to lead to. Life’s too short! </p>
<p>Good luck! (and sorry this reply wasn’t very helpful :))</p>