Your degree in Environmental Engineering

Skills you’ll develop

While studying Environmental Engineering, you’re learning to use science and technology to design and implement green solutions to mitigate climate change and other challenges facing our society. You’ll develop important skills and ways of thinking that can lead us to a more sustainable future.

These skills may include:

• Analysis, evaluation and monitoring of air, water and soil quality, and developing clean-up procedures for contaminated sites
• Application of fluid dynamics, soil mechanics and open channel hydrology flow to plan and develop sustainable solutions to civil works and projects
• Development and implementation of prevention and control technologies such as air pollution control, soil remediation and solid waste management
• Collaboration through projects with an interdisciplinary team of experts
• Conducting impact studies and technical analyses of field data to identify hazards and risks of engineering projects to the public and environment
• Technical writing skills to prepare environmental reports, assessments, remediation plans and proposals
• Usage of modeling, surveying, and programming software such as AutoCAD and ArcGIS

Explore career possibilities

Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, construction, remediation and waste management, mining, power utilities, energy distribution networks, and others.

There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.

Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.

Make the most of your program

Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify your values and interests.

• UBC Environmental Engineering Student Association
  Access academic support resources and learning opportunities, go on field trips, and participate in other social events.
• Sustaingineering
  Join a multidisciplinary team to tackle global sustainability issues through technology.
• UBC Third Quadrant Design
  Develop your technical skills and work in a team to design high-performance buildings and green infrastructure.
• UBC Climate Hub
  Facilitate the sharing of climate knowledge to empower youth to become “climate ambassadors” in their own communities.
• UBC Sustainability research opportunities
  Participate in research and project-based roles to advance sustainability at UBC and in the region.
• UBC Environmental Policy Association
  Learn about the impact of global climate change policies through various discussion-based events.
• UBC Sustainability programs and clubs
  Browse on-campus paid and volunteer opportunities related to sustainability.
• Common Energy UBC
  Join one of six action teams to implement sustainability initiatives and practices into all aspects of the UBC community.
• UBC Student Environment Centre
  Access funding for projects that address environmental and sustainability issues.
• UBC Engineering Co-op
  Gain work experience in environmental engineering between study terms.
• Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions internships
  Apply your classroom knowledge to real-world settings through climate change mitigation or adaptation projects.
• Conference on Sustainability in Engineering
  Attend the annual conference held in February to learn from professionals passionate about creating a sustainable future.
• ECO Canada job board
  Check out environmental employment opportunities.

Build your network

Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.

The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.

• Air and Waste Management Association, BC-Yukon Chapter
• Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC
• Association of Consulting Engineering Companies Canada
• BC Environmental Industry Association
• BC Geophysical Society
• BC Sustainable Energy Association
• BC Water and Waste Association
• Canada Green Building Council
• Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades, and Technology
• Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board
• Canadian Environmental Network
• Canadian Society for Civil Engineering
• Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering
• Canadian Society for Professional Engineers
• Canadian Solar Industries Association
• Canadian Water Resources Association
• Clean Energy BC
• Climate Action Network
• Connecting Environmental Professionals
• Eco-Canada
• Energy Council of Canada
• Engineering Institute of Canada
• Engineers and Geoscientists BC
• Engineers Canada
• Environmental Science and Engineering Magazine
• GreenBiz
• National Resources Defense Council
• Pulp and Paper Technical Association of Canada
• Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Connect with alumni on LinkedIn

Find UBC Environmental Engineering graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.

More information

From your Applied Science degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Engineering degree.