working without passion

[mic123]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum and have a lot of question.
First, I just graduated in December and I'm working since that time in Electrical engineering but I dont seem to get anything in return of my work. I also realize that my passion is more in the environmental work. I'm very preocupied by the environment. I'm thinking of going back to university to study environmental Law. I would like to have input from everyone if there's some other jobs that I could do that would touch to environement with a EE degree and maybe a little course at the university like a master degree in environment ? thanks

 

[PSE]

First thing that comes to mind for me would be to start looking into the conformance/compliance portion of engineering. There is the RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) directive that impacts electronics and other components directly in terms of going to lead free components, solders, and PCBs. There are many standards that from a testing/certification standpoint, would allow you to make use of your degree. Your engineering career is still in its infancy. Spend a little time exploring the potential of your degree before jumping back into academia.

Regards,

 

[kchayfie]

I work in the water industry where there is a large amount of environmental work required and a large amount of electrical engineering. If you had a job in this industry (or something similar) you could start off in electrical engineering and find you are making a difference to improve the environment. If this didn't prove to be enough, you'd be well placed to move your career over to the enviromental side of the company and from there into the wider world of environmental engineering, with a firm basis of practical skills under your belt.

 

[ScottyUK]

I don't know what it is like where you are, but in Europe renewable energy is becoming a big industry. If you are in the US, it's something the Europeans are doing!

Joking aside, power generation in some form is going to be around for a long time, so it should be a fairly secure sector to be in. Generation and transmission both have a lot of environmental aspects to be considered and potentially a lot of legal and contractual work too. Much the same as kchayfie says about the water industry.



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If we learn from our mistakes,
I'm getting a great education!

 

[mic123]

I'm in Canada and the renawable energy is just starting to become popular. I tough of going that way too but I lack the expertise in that field I dont know how to get the expertise to get the job I would like in renawable energy.

 

[mic123]

Thanks for all the input guys it give me hope that maybe I dont have to go back to university right now, I would also apreciate if someone could give me the path that they follow to get a job in renawable energy without any experience did they do a master degree or just apply until someone is willing to train you event if you dont have any experience ? Thanks

 

[DonPE]

I worked as an EE for a renewable energy company in the US, that made electrolyzer and fuel cell systems. My contribution was designing a control board, and designing a backup system using ultracapacitors. It was actually pretty interesting, but my contribution as an EE to the "enviromental" side of things was pretty limited. I could have been building the systems for any company, without it needing to be a "enviromental" company.
I am no longer in the renewable energy field. I originally found the job just through dumb luck; I didn't make it my goal to get into this field. The company was supposed to be the next big thing, but has never really become successful, and has gone through several rounds of layoffs.
If you go this route, make sure the company has a track record of sucessful products, and don't be lured by the Siren songs of working for a "environmental" company. The first goal of any company is to make money, not to make the environment better, and if they don't have good managment in place, then you will be stranded.
If you want to change policy, then you would be wise to study enviromental law, and/or run for elected office. If you want to design things that may help the enviroment, then of course, stick with engineering. Good luck on your career path.

 

[matthewj]

I think you are on the right track with your pursuit of a renewable/alternative resource focus.

Environmental education, working for a land trust, etc... can also be a great way to become involved in the field. The pay isn't so good, but whatever; for some it is better to be happy than rich.

I went into environmental engineering after graduation, with passion and hope of making a difference in the environment. It's cliche' to say, but the reality of environmental engineering/science is much less ideal. A lot of good environmental work is being done, but a lot of bad science is done too. Remember, most of the major pollutors have engineers and scientists employed just to find ways to keep them having to do expensive clean-up.

Good luck!