Marketability: Environmental engineering, Chemical engineering, or environmental studies/sciences?

Hey CC’ers,

It seems that the college search is made exponentially harder when one doesn’t know the specific career path he or she wants to pursue. You can find more details in my post history (I can repost below if requested), but I am looking to do something related to environmental studies. At the same time, maybe I will make drastic changes to my chosen path in the future–so I would like to attend a school that is conducive to exploring options.

It seems that environmental engineering is a relatively new field. I have read in other forums that the day-to-day work of environmental engineers just involves a lot of paper work. I am not necessarily opposed to a “cubicle job,” but I’d like to know if environmental engineers have more variability in their careers.

That brings me to chemical engineers–I know that they are much more flexible in respects to their day-to-day work and what kinds of careers they can pursue. At the same time, I am feeling uneasy about the lack of growth in this field (I am referencing the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ page on chemical engineers).

Now, I know that the logical answer would be to go into environmental studies and pursue what I want to do, but I do worry about the expense and instability that goes with pursuing scientific research and higher levels of education. To be honest, I would like to avoid having to pursue grad school, but I have not thought that far ahead yet.

So to sum up: What sort of private schools (or state schools in California), would you all suggest for someone like me (money is definitely a limiting factor)? Any advice or insights on my situation are much appreciated.

You may find this of use:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/engineering_by_the_numbers.pdf

In 2015-2016, over 9,000 BS degrees were awarded in Chemical Engineering, while about 1,100 were awarded in Environmental Engineering. Job prospects are about the same. Really, you should choose the one you like best.

All engineers spend most of their time in the office, I wouldn’t worry about that factor.

Start searching for ChemE and EnE jobs, and see what’s available. You can also use linkedin and look at the type of jobs held by folks with either degree. Look at the career fairs setup by some of these colleges, for some, you can determine which companies are recruiting at that school for ChemE’s and Environmental Engineers.

Good Luck!

@Gator88NE Thanks for the reply. I guess engineering is not right for me, since I don’t think I could handle it. I’ve heard engineering requires a certain type of person and a specific dedication/passion to physics and maths, and I’m more interested in field work, not office work…

You need to be competent at Math and physics, you don’t need a passion in those subjects (but it helps).

At the end of the day, an engineer is a problem solver.

That’s what we do, either in the office, out in the field, or in the lab.

For many, engineering isn’t a good fit. Continue to do your research and look into the different fields of engineering (and into other majors). You have plenty of time to work through all of this…

Good Luck!

“At the end of the day, an engineer is a problem solver.” - Amen to that.