Environmental Engineers

Aspiring environmental engineers should participate in an internship or co-op during college to gain valuable experience. Participating in these programs will also allow you to build your professional network, which could lead to a job offer after graduation.

Environmental engineers must like solving problems and have a good background in science and math. They must be able to, in the words of one engineer, "just get in there and figure out what needs to be done." Engineers must be able to communicate verbally and in writing with a variety of people from both technical and nontechnical backgrounds. Other important traits for environmental engineers include creativity, patience, the ability to "think outside the box," strong problem-solving and analytical skills, and a willingness to continue to learn throughout their careers.