Is environmental engineering a promising career?

[Corbett]

<p>Hyperion is a great [url=<a href=“http://www.uswaternews.com/archives/arcquality/1hypwas2.html]example[/url”>http://www.uswaternews.com/archives/arcquality/1hypwas2.html]example[/url</a>] of the ongoing need for EnvEs (and infrastructure engineers in general):

The American Public Works Association (APWA) has named the Hyperion Treatment Plant as one of the ten most outstanding public works projects of the 20th Century. APWA’s Top Ten Public Works Projects of the Century program considered public works contributions that have significantly affected and improved the quality of life in the United States or Canada…</p>

<p>…The $1.4 billion construction program replaced nearly every 1950-vintage wastewater processing system at Hyperion while the plant continuously treated 350 million gallons per day (mgd) and met all NPDES permit requirements.

Granted, wastewater treatment may not be the sexiest environmental career. But unlike some engineering fields, it is highly resistant to (1) economic downturns, and (2) outsourcing. It seems that Americans keep generating bodily wastes even in the most severe recessions, and it’s not practical to process it overseas.</p>