Is Environmental Engineering the Best Path for Clean Energy Careers?

[kitenyos]

I am a currently a junior searching for colleges. I want to be an engineer and specialize in environmental/clean energy. My ideal job would be working for an energy company making, designing or inventing clean energy alternative technology.

What are the advantages of majoring in environmental engineering since all types of engineers can be hired for these types of positions? What is the advantage of majoring in environmental engineering as opposed to a nuclear or chemical for environmental technology? If, for example, I majored in mechanical engineering, how easy would it be to choose a path related to environmental?

I am looking at colleges with strong co-op programs but not necessarily top engineering, such as Northeastern and Drexel. I am doing this so I can be sure to get a strong job and it sounds like a lot of fun. Is finding a job in environmental tech rather easy? If so, this would make co-op less important to me.

 

[NanjoeBot]

I used to be an environmental engineering major. In my sophomore I switched to chemical because its so much more versatile. A chemical engineering degree will make you qualified for all the environmental engineering jobs and much much more.

One thing to look at is to see which department the environmental program is a part of. Environmental engineering is usually either part of a school's civil engineering, or chemical engineering department, and it makes a big difference. For your listed interests, I would look for one in the chemical department.