<p>I'll be a transfer student at Ohio State this fall. In the future I'd like to have a career in which I can help protect the environment and wildlife. I'm not exactly sure how yet but I really want to make a difference in the environment. I was also thinking about environmental science but have heard that people who major in that work more in the background and do the 'side work'. I also considered majoring in biology with a minor in environmental science. I think that biology is a very broad topic and could possibly give me more career options. Also, should I be considering grad school for this field of work? Thanks!</p>
<p>you can go into EnvE or biology. Many consulting firms hire both engineers and scientists. depends on which one you like. </p>
<p>Do not major in biology. Job (and advancement) prospects for bio grads are exceptionally poor at the BS level, and not terribly better at the MS and PhD levels. I don’t know the specifics of the environmental engineering job market and career paths, but EnvE is a significantly more rigorous program that integrates civil engineering and biology and, presumably, offers many more career options than a biology major. Engineers are almost always sought after; bio majors are not.</p>
<p>In your title for this thread you say environmental “engineering” while in the body you say environmental “science”. Do be aware that these are different fields. Your discussion goes on more on the “science” type of environmental work.</p>
<p>My wife is an environmental “engineer”. She works for a large company whose processes involve chemicals that are considered hazardous to dispose of. She must track them according to EPA and state regulations and arrange for proper disposal. She also handles permitting of equipment and personnel who use these chemicals. This kind of environmental engineering is very heavily chemistry based… She, as is somewhat typical, also handles the plant safety concerns (beyond just environmental).</p>
<p>Another kind of environmental engineer would be more of a civil engineering type job. You deal with the construction of waste treatment plants, sewer (both waste and storm) and the like. Possibly the operation of those plants as well. Doesn’t sound like you are interested in this area.</p>
<p>An environmental “scientist” would deal with more of the natural environment. A park ranger or scientist might be another way of thinking about it. This type of work would be much harder to find work in and the pay would most likely be less. </p>