Discussion Thread

  • 1.  Working in a lab as an environmental engineer

    Posted 03-10-2021 11:11 AM

    Civil engineers who shared their experience and advice in "Explore Engineering Careers in Consulting" responded to 5 questions we did not get to during the live roundtable discussion.  Here are their answers to the third question in this series of posts: 

    Today's question: Do you have to work in a lab if you are specializing in Environmental Engineering?
    (Answers are based on individual experiences and are not necessarily representative of practices at all consulting firms.)

    Jon Zufelt, Ph.D., P.E., D.WRE, F.ASCE,
    Senior Hydraulic Engineer, HDR
    While the lab experience would be good background of processes, it isn't required for many jobs in environmental engineering. There could be permitting, EIS studies, water quality, water and wastewater process design, etc.

    Brad Aldrich, P.E., F.ASCE, F.NSPE, Retired President, Aldrich + Elliott, P.C.
    We have a very strong environmental engineering practice which includes water treatment and waste water treatment, threatened and endangered species, wetlands, aquatic and terrestrial studies and that work is a combination of field work, design, report or plan preparation and permitting. However, it does not include work in the lab if any specialized lab analysis is needed we contract with others to provide those specialty services. 

    If you missed our live session watch the recording posted on the Career Discovery web page https://collaborate.asce.org/covid-19/career-discovery.  Also register there for future roundtable sessions exploring civil engineering careers in education, industry and construction – and bring your questions for our panelists!



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    Jennifer Hofmann Aff.M.ASCE
    Manager, Professional Advancement
    ASCE
    Reston VA
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  • 2.  RE: Working in a lab as an environmental engineer

    Posted 03-15-2021 11:56 AM
    Thank you. This is good to know as an environmental engineering student!

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    Anum Khan S.M.ASCE
    Student
    Annandale VA
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