I have fully designed projects from scratch and trained staff in all aspects of Civil engineering. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Many people in the business sector were hit hard during the 08 recession and I imagine that if another one hits soon you're friends making over 100k may be unemployed or have significant hits to their salaries if they are tied to their companies revenue streams. However, your job description sounds awesome and unlike any civil engineering position I've seen. Middle management required useless paperwork genersucks any remaining enjoyment that might have been possible out of work. Welcome to one of the largest and most well-respected civil and environmental engineering departments in Canada. But I LOVE biology and still want to study it. Also, if you have a passion for it.. it's more about how you market/sell yourself to companies than it is about your degree so you've got that going for you regardless of your choice :). There are 18 regular faculty in civil and environmental engineering, with doctorates from internationally recognized programs. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) seeks to understand the world, invent, and innovate with creative design. My experience: I am a licensed Civil Engineer and (almost licensed as a Land Surveyor, one more 4 hour test) in CA with about 10 years part time experience and 4 years full time experience. I’ve worked on airports and bridges, used every day by thousands of people. About the only good thing is they pay overtime, sometimes, if they don't come up with enough bullshit non-billable meetings to fill up my time sheet. I wouldn't fret. Keep your head up, Engineers do valuable work that most people can't do. Curriculum-Civil engineering diploma is designed in a way that student gets both theoretical and practical knowledge about the subject in focus.Diploma courses focuses more … Job Title Minimum Education Required Median Salary (2019)* Job Growth (2018-2028)* Civil Engineer : Bachelor's degree : $87,060 : 6%: Electrical Engineer Civil and Environmental Engineering › Research › Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, and Science Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, and Science (EESS) Sustainability addresses the ability of societies to maintain and improve quality of life while preserving both the quality and availability of its natural resources. With civil engineering, you may get too caught up with the other departments like structural, construction, transportation, and hydro. I would seriously appreciate your insight on this. Application Opens: October 15. I can afford rent for a nice apartment in a fun city, I go out and have fun when I want, and am able put money into savings. Is there a way you can code a program to automate those designs? Engineers apply the knowledge of math & science to design and manufacture maintainable systems used to solve specific problems. I've worked my ass off in college and even after college. Civil Engineers. Website. Overview. If you're set on targeting the environment field, go environmental engineer. Enviro engineer here! So what drives people to stay in Civil Engineering at this point? Civil and Environmental Engineering involves the planning, design, and construction of many of the developments, large and small, that make modern life possible. Companies like McKinsey, Boston Consultjng Group, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture, PwC, etc all hire industry folks for lots of $$. Source: Environmental engineer working in water resources. But I’m not concerned with the fact others are making more than me, I’m not in competition with my friends and family, I’m happy they’re doing well. If you enjoy the biological content and want to work on limiting the environmental impact side, I would recommend enviro (but I recognize my own biased!). What's being lost on people is that it's a career that is enjoyable, rewarding, and can provide for a comfortable lifestyle. The secondary area electives could be selected to achieve this goal. Contact the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. My university converted it's chem eng program into enviro eng so it was more processed than civil based. The key is networking. As a civil engineer, I say go environmental engineering B.S. The housing market there is just outrageous for salaries that are pretty close to the same just outside of that state. Why take huge liability / risk with signing plans to just get paid less than jobs that require no degree? Civil engineering: Building and maintaining infrastructure. Take a look at the following websites for descriptions of the two fields: Is it really lost on us that we're making more than the average FAMILY income? Fee: $75.00. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering E208 Engineering Quadrangle Princeton, New Jersey 08544 USA. From algebra, trigonometry, geometry, calculus, probability, statistics, and even engineering economy, mathematics is central in the field of civil engineering. You'll be working harder but the pay will be better (so I've heard. As a result, studying civil engineering allows for a broader and more versatile education than studying just one specialization within the discipline. PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering with a transcript designation of Atmosphere/Energy; Environmental Engineering. Environmental Engineering Rather like transportation, environmental engineering is another core consideration when it comes to the planning and construction of human settlements. Damn man. It may take quite a while to find a job that satisfies you. I’ve worked on buildings that add to the amazing NYC skyline - those things have a tremendous value to me that money can’t buy. My wife complains that we don’t make more but that’s her problem as she is mostly unhappy with her career. Civil and Environmental Engineering | John A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering So you think I should get my B.S, get employed for a few years, then go back for my Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering? I have fully designed projects from scratch and trained staff in all aspects of Civil engineering. So how did that go exactly? Unfortunately, as I'm nearing 40, it's too late to switch careers at this point. The student may wish to pursue study of an engineering field outside of but related to civil and environmental engineering. I'm graduating with my civil degree soon and this thread is making me really sad. It’s not for everyone, and you do need a network, but you sound like a good candidate. The Environmental concentration people took a few chemistry classes but it was mostly a Civil Engineering degree with some Chemical analysis and environmental protection added in. and many smallet civil companies that really just need a generic smart person would turn her away for not having a civil. You can always do a grad program in either curriculum if you find out you made the wrong choice. They will make more money. I'm still a CE student but I'm in my mind 30s after serving in the military for 11 years and did quite a bit of research on pay, etc when I was deciding to make the career leap. Yea, I know guys younger than me making more working in marketing, finance, business, etc. California is expensive a hell. As a civil engineer, I say go environmental engineering B.S. I can’t put a price on that. We make plenty to live a comfortable life and support our family. I always wanted to be an environmental engineer but I have people telling me that civil engineering is much more marketable. I hate my commute, I hate the city I'm living in (Houston) and in general I wish I had made better choices up to this point. As long as I can do that, I’m fine. I advise any students who ask me for advice to choose something else. At least take pride in that. For example, I know someone (same age about 30) with no degree and works as a recruiter and makes 100k+ and works normal 40 hour weeks. If you are interested in environmental engineering and want to become professionally licensed, you may be wondering which PE exam to take. exam to take. My question to you is....what's it worth. I personally found that my enviro degree set me apart from the civils who were interested in working in those environmental elements. My husband and I have very little debt and our quality of life is very high, but we also know how to have non-work hobbies and how to have fun. Cities? I also take great pride in my work, I love knowing that my work truly matters to society and directly affects it. I served in Honduras 15 years ago in water systems and there were plenty of people that majored in structural engineering there with me (i took more environmental egr for my civil egr degree). Study the one that you will enjoy more. Replies to: civil vs. environmental engineering #1. ken285 3903 replies 30 threads Senior Member. 43.471468-80.544205. I always thought civil engineering as a whole is lower pay due to the bidding process on jobs. If you apply for an environmental engineering job it won't make a big difference. Until we demand the appropriate value for services then we will all continue to have these issues. I always thought Civil dealt with bridge construction and infrastructure. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. You can easily make mid 100s, maybe more. Its more versatile plus a lot of programs have an option to specialize/focus in environmental anyway. I've heard that structural and construction management have been hit hardest. You can't buy wellness and you can't buy time. I would say studying civil engineering would be the safer bet. If you like the work and you're comfortable, and you don't think that the amount of work that you're putting in is acceptable relative to your paycheck, you have two choices, you can either pull back and enjoy life more or you can push through and either start your own company or continue as is. While both civil and environmental engineers design plans, what they are designing varies greatly. Civil Engineering is primarily about construction, design, and maintenance of the civil structures, infrastructures, and buildings. With 830 students enrolled in our undergraduate degree programs for architectural, civil, environmental and geological engineering, and 180 students in our graduate programs, we attract curious, innovative and exceptional individuals from Canada and abroad who are You have a good lens into what would be required and it could give you the challenge you are looking for. To me, its just luck or inequality in one field or another.....probably hundreds of years ago our civil engineering skill set would make us important people, where as now people who can code apps or develop AI programs are the money maker. My experience: I am a licensed Civil Engineer and (almost licensed as a Land Surveyor, one more 4 hour test) in CA with about 10 years part time experience and 4 years full time experience. University of Waterloo. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the civilengineering community. I've worked my ass off in college and even after college. Unfortunately I don't think I can pursue a degree with such limited opportunities. NCEES offers two different environmental exams for professional licensing: PE Civil with a Water Resources and Environmental Depth, and PE Environmental. I feel the same as you do, and funny I am around the same age and mainly doing alignment/roadway design too. Move to a non-oil funded state and get a job with the state DOT/DEC/WR dept, the pay will be less but so will your cost of living and stress levels. If my post gets some traction I'll discuss more. The other part is (based on your age and my assumption your friends you are comparing yourself with) is that you haven't had to weather a major economic recession. I've worked almost every element of enviro - water treatment, wastewater treatment, land remediation, environmental assessments (not air though!). I like work as a Civil Engineer mostly because I'm good at it, but the pay just doesn't make sense to other industry standards. For me it’s more than just money. My understanding is the job outlook for certain areas of civil are better than others. The Civil will open up all of the different doors to you, including Environmental. I understand not switching careers at 40... but why not jobs? Salaries in real terms are falling as outsourcing increases. she manages a testing team for mechanical/chemical type work in natural gas power plants. Yes, there is a rising demand for Environmental Engineers, but I have seen so many other environmental engineers saying that I should go with Civil so I'm confused. University of Waterloo. I'd personally go for civil for the broader knowledge and broader job prospects (some employers may be prejudice towards non-civils, idk). 400 Snell Engineering Center 617.373.2444 617.373.4419 (fax). I am an EIT in a rural area and work for a county government, which obviously does not pay well, but has really excellent benefits. Environmental only will close the door to … Just some things to keep in mind. Keep in mind that those fields have very limited job openings (especially air resources) due to the greater specialization. I've spent nights for at least the first 3 years of my career just learning Civil 3D and Microstation just to be an expert at it. As for being marketable, if you have a degree in engineering, you can pretty much apply to most positions. I love biology and the environment but I have been told that a Biology degree is essentially useless in my situations. Deadline: December 1. she tells anyone she mentors to do civil and specialize enviro or double major. Many of the faculty have extensive practical experience, and all are determined to prepare our students for the challenges of civil and My biggest piece of advice is not to compare yourself to business majors or those types of industry personnel. This is what I recommend to almost everyone thinking about studying environmental engineering. You sound like a great self starter and have a great number of skills outside of your primary job. An environmental engineering degree will seperate you from the other civil applicants. In my previous career I was working 90+ hour weeks consistently and killing myself and my social life for the job, and me and my best girlfriend went back to school at the same time. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the AskEngineers community. Waterloo Engineering Faculty Openings Provide Website Feedback. As a result, civil and environmental engineers must be creative problem solvers to meet the challenges of the 21st century. A civil engineering salary goes much further outside of California. Not a great career trajectory or life path. I have multiple Environmental Engineers telling me to never go Enviro and multiple multiple Environmental Engineers telling me to get the degree. You're in oil and gas, so this is less so in your side of the industry but the Is has an unquenchable thirst for oil, so it will almost always recover. Terms of Enrollment: Fall Term (September) Summer Term (June) for LGO students. There is one thing that I am concerned about. I am motivated purely by passion, but I have to consider my future still. Telephone: (609) 258-4600 Email: cee@princeton.edu For me, the answer is no. Civil engineering has four specialties: Environmental/water resources engineers remove contaminants from water, reduce non-hazardous solid waste volumes, eliminate pollutants from the air and develop groundwater supplies. I’m a PE too, started a solo consulting firm and have brought in 90k just over the last 7 months since I started. Another friend (same age about 30) I know makes 120k+ with a business degree and slaves pretty good but doesn't need a license to perform his work or even an MBA. Hi i am getting ready ( ....for oct 2008 P.E exam)... and i am still undecided as to which P.E. Degrees: Master of Engineering (MEng) … Civil engineering is about the planning, design, construction and operation of facilities essential to modern life, ranging from bridges to transit systems. I have delivered several full PS and E packages for construction in excess of 2 million dollars. I believe you will only take 1 or 2 waste water classes in civil engineering which is probably the closest to environmental engineering in that curriculum. Much more versatility and job availability. Young people look ahead and only see that they are healthy and have plenty of time. But it's not long (~10-15 years) until they realize that those are two things you can't really get with money. What about everyone else struggling on minimum wage? If you're interested in either of those fields studying EnvE might be a good choice. In fact, some programs devote a significant amount of time to hands-on training in material testing, surveying, manual and computer-aided drafting, … Came here to say this. My current plan is to keep living in this hell hole until my student loans are paid off, and either my house is paid off or I have enough savings to buy a house somewhere, then find some low/no effort municipal or state job to kill time in until I die or can collect whatever is left of social security by then. A construction engineer can work as a construction project manager, a construction manager, or … It will only get harder to get out the longer you wait. Id even argue that with all the new laws and standards, there is a rising demand for environmental engineers. I couldn't imagine having to get up every day to go work a job that I hate and still not get paid enough to make ends meet. They love to get Civil Engineers of any discipline. We have plenty of disposable income to go out whenever we want and travel. her job searches have been painful and demoralizing. Support Waterloo Engineering. I'm currently making 90k a year, which is great don't get me wrong, but I just know people who have accomplished a lot less and make quite a bit more. That said, my salary is decent too and I am content with my work as it is just like playing Sim City every day and I love it. I didn’t get into civil engineering to become a millionaire, but knew I’d live a comfortable life. I ahve a B.E. Did these jobs want a civil engineer and you applied anyhow? she really wanted to do air quality but as another poster pointed out, there are very few openings and in the US youre pretty limited geographically for an enviro, whereas civils can find work anywhere. I am fully trained and experienced in roadway design and modeling, structural road design, traffic engineering and modeling, grading and subdivision plans including legals descriptions and sewer and water design, surveying and mapping including right-of-way engineering, topos and ALTAs, storm water prevention pollution plans and WQMP along with hydrology studies and can create full construction documents including PS and E packages and contract documents. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. But overall I am passionate about the environment not bridges and structures I couldn't care less about that. I'm conflicted. I generally work 830-530 and will bill OT if I work longer. Personally, I love what I do for many reasons and I have no regrets over my career choice. Some civil programs used to not have a separate Environmental degree and employers know that. 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