Environmental engineering

Working in environmenal engineering, you'll devise engineering solutions to reduce the environmental impact of human activity.

Environmental engineering is a broad industry incorporating several areas of specialisation. The nature of the work involves engineering solutions to reduce the environmental impact of human activity and (to a lesser extent) the impact of the environment on human habitation. This covers a huge range of activities including;

  • construction
  • extraction of natural resources
  • sewage and water treatment
  • energy production, delivery and conservation
  • waste disposal and management
  • pollution control.

This means that the employment opportunities within the sector are diverse. Employers range from local authorities to energy producers, manufacturers and heavy industry. The increase in legislation and the political promise of yet tighter environmental controls are likely to further expand this area of work as demand increases and it becomes more financially viable.

Salaries and schemes

Environmental engineers can expect to earn around the average for graduate engineers, somewhere in the region of £22,000–£25,000, though some firms may offer even more competitive packages as demand in the sector increases. Many large engineering and consultancy firms will offer graduate programmes in the field and more are likely to do so in the future as the government commits to further reducing the environmental impact of industry.

Graduates give their personal accounts of working in environmental engineering

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