<p>Hi everyone,
It's hard to find a beginning. Basically, when I graduated from high school, I thought I love the electronic field. I used to like how to make processors, to research new materials to make new CPUs (sorry I know it sounds so dreamy). Not until I really got into the Electronics major (around junior year) would I find out that this major didn't work for me. Everything I learned was about programming, and to be honest, I really really hate programming. Also, the prospect would be just me sitting in front of a PC with a test board next to me, which is so tedious. I like something "moving," like interactive, active, and moving from place to place. In fact, I think walking helps me think way better than sitting still. So until I couldn't take it anymore, I dropped out of that college and started everything over from community college. So now I'm about to transfer and although I have been researching and thinking intensely about choosing a right major, I still feel somewhat uncertain. I think I still like Engineering field and I'm doing good with Math and Science classes, but in order to avoid another huge disappointment, I'm trying to choose a particular engineering major having nothing to do with programming at all and, as I hope, would be more energetic. Do you guys think EnvE is a good choice? Can you guys give me any other suggestions about other majors? Also, if any of you guys were or are currently studying and working in EnvE field, could you please give me a more insightful description of what you're learning, the curriculum, and what the practical work of an Environmental Engineer is like. I really really appreciate it.
Anyway, I don't mean to undermine electronics or programming, so please correct me if I'm wrong.</p>
<p>I’m no expert, so take this all with a grain of salt. With that in mind, this is what I know about Environmental Engineering: It certainly is “active” and will involve a lot of outdoor work and walking around looking at things, so it would be great for you in that regard. As best as I understand it, the practical work of an EnvE revolves around managing pollution of water, air, and soil, disposal of waste, recycling, and public health issues. So basically, you would do something like going to a water treatment site to see how its waste is being disposed of or look at how soil is being affected by construction. You would most likely be working for the government, in the EPA at the federal level or in Public Works or similar department in the state or local level, preparing environmental impact reports for something like a bridge construction project. It is a blend of chemical and civil engineering, so you have to be good at environmental chemistry, chemical processes, as well as structural engineering, construction guidelines, etc. I don’t believe it involves much programming. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>up.
Anyone have any other ideas?</p>
<p>For programs that are “Civil and Environmental Engineering”, most focus would be on sewage treatment, soil. construction, etc. The job probably won’t involve much programming, but all engineering programs would require at least some programming work (in dedicated course and/or for projects). </p>
<p>Personally, there are schools such as UCSD with Environmental Engineering curriculum that differs from the typical sewage treatment, groundwater, etc. Honestly though, with Environmental Engineering, you will be doing a lot of simulations stuff, and if you’re good at programming and Navier Stoke equation, you’re golden. If you ever took a fluid class, ask yourself if you like it or not because that’s the basis of environmental engineering. It also involves a lot of writing and regulations (aka reading) as well. </p>
<p>Given that, some environmental engineer doesn’t really move from place to place except for site visits, but most of the work will be on desk. Try mechanical engineering if you like to have something in your hand and like to build stuff. Mechi has electrical / control components as well. </p>
<p>I think the best way to know what right for you is trying it. Get an internship. Work for free with firms/public government in that specific field. Test out the water. </p>
<p>Programs named just “Environmental Engineering” (ie not in CivE dept) I think vary more from school to schooll. </p>
<p>Indeed. At some schools, EE is the same as ChemE save for a few technical courses. </p>