The environmental industry consists of entities and organizations that produce goods and service to measure, prevent, limit and minimize or correct environmental damages to water, air and soil, as well as problems related to waste, noise and ecosystems. In many ways, this industry overlaps with others as environmental efforts have become further embedded into the fabric of the way many industries and corporations operate.
The field has also expanded to encompass many areas. It now includes:
Additional areas of the environmental industry include:
Forestry
Land & Water Conservation
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Water Quality & Waste Management
Engineers within the environmental industry apply engineering principles and fundamental concepts using built and natural systems to develop solutions to environmental and ecological problems. They work to:
- Improve public health
- Control water and air pollution
- Manage waste disposal
- Restore watersheds, ecosystems and streams
- Address global issues such as environmental sustainability
According to the National Resources Defense Council, the challenges at the forefront of this industry include creating a clean energy future, reviving the world's oceans, defending endangered wildlife and wild places, protecting human health through pollution prevention and water conservation, curbing global warming and fostering sustainable communities.
Industry summary sourced from FirstHand Vault Guide and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).
SAMPLE JOB TITLES
- Associate District Representative
- Civil Engineer
- Distribution Line Engineer
- District Representative
- Electrical Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Power Line Distributions Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Technical Sales Engineer
- Wastewater Master Plan Engineer
SAMPLE HIRING ORGANIZATIONS
- AL Department of Environmental Management
- Civil and Environmental Consultants
- Clean Harbors Environmental Services
- CTI Engineers
- Enercon
- Engineering Consulting Services
- Evoqua Water Technologies
- Geosyntec Consultants
- Hazen and Sawyer
- Nalco Water, An EcoLab Company
- Trinity Consultants
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
$68K
Average starting salary
*based on 94 responses from 2020-2024 AU Engineering Graduates on the First Destination Survey
RECRUITING TIMELINE
Depending on the type of employer and the role, the recruitment timelines vary, Governmental organizations, large companies, and manufacturers recruit most heavily in the fall for positions starting in the spring or summer. Opportunities still exist beyond the fall but are often more niche opportunities with smaller companies. Additionally, companies will hire throughout the year depending on the needs and demands of their projects or government contracts.
Seek opportunities to connect with employers at fall events such as the fall Engineering Career Fair, as well as at employer table talks, employer-in-residence, Ask Alumni Anything chats, and student organization meetings. Search for posted opportunities on Handshake and other sources referenced below.
SAMPLE OPPORTUNITIES
Student Organizations
- Alabama's Water Environment Association
- Alpha Epsilon
- American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
- Auburn Geotechnical Society
- Crop, Soil, and Environnemental Science Club
- Engineers Without Borders
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & INDUSTRY RESOURCES
- Air and Waste Management Association
- Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals
- American Academy of Environmental Engineering and Scientists
- American Public Works Association
- American Society for Engineering Education
- American Society of Safety Engineers
Internships + Co-ops
With sample hiring organizations and companies recruiting through
- Engineering Career Fairs & Industry Days
- Handshake job platform
- USAjobs.gov
Meet with an Engineering Career Coach for more information about accessing opportunities + strategizing your search for co-ops, internships, research, and more.
ALUMNI IN THE INDUSTRY
- Beverly Banister, '83 Chemical | Retired Deputy Regional Administrator | U.S. EPA
- Brittany Wilson, '09 Biosystems | Senior Environmental Engineer | Southern Company
- Claire Booth, '03 Civil & Environmental | Founder & Senior Environmental Engineer | Array Environmental
- Heather Ceron, '94 Chemical | Deputy Director, Land, Chemicals & Redevelopment Division | U.S. EPA
- Jennifer Winn, '05 Chemical | Vice President of Corporate Sustainability | Georgia Power Company
- Julia Green, '05 & '07 Civil & Environmental | Environmental Strategy and Reporting Manager | Southern Company
- Steve Cobb, '84 Biosystems | Chief of Land Division | Alabama Department of Environmental Management
- Troy Ephriam Jr., '17 Biosystems | Hydraulic Engineer | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
You can access alumni such as these to learn about career paths, skills for the industry, and build your network through LinkedIn. Create an account and build your profile, then search for Auburn alumni by major, company, location, or other criteria on the Auburn University LinkedIn page. Chat with an Engineering Career Coach on strategies for networking and reaching out to connect.