Environmental EngineerJustin Rock

Nature of Work• Environmental engineering is the integration of science and

engineering principles to improve the natural environment (air, water, and/or land resources), to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation (house or home) and for other organisms, and to remediate pollution sites. Further more it is concerned with finding plausible solutions in the field of public health, such arthropod-borne diseases, implementing law which promote adequate sanitation in urban, rural and recreational areas. It involves waste water management and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, radiation protection, industrial hygiene, environmental sustainability, and public health issues as well as a knowledge of environmental engineering law. It also includes studies on the environmental impact of proposed construction projects.

Education and TrainingCourses aimed at developing graduates with specific skills in environmental systems or

environmental technology are becoming more common and fall into broads classes:• Mechanical engineering that designs machines and mechanical systems for the

environmental used such as water treatment facility, pumping stations, garbage segregation plants and other mechanical facilities.

• Environmental engineering or environmental systems courses oriented towards a civil engineering approach in which structures and the landscape are constructed to blend with or protect the environment;

• Environmental chemistry, sustainable chemistry or environmental chemical engineering courses oriented towards understanding the effects (good and bad) of chemicals in the environment. Focus on mining processes, pollutants and commonly also cover biochemical processes;

• Environmental technology courses oriented towards producing electronic or electrical graduates capable of developing devices and artifacts able to monitor, measure, model and control environmental impact, including monitoring and managing energy generation from renewable sources.

Job Outlook• Employment of environmental engineers is projected to grow 22

percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. State and local government concerns regarding water should lead to efforts to increase efficiency of water use.

• The requirement by the federal government to clean up contaminated sites is expected to help sustain demand for these engineers’ services. Additionally, wastewater treatment is becoming a larger concern in areas of the country where new methods of drilling for shale gas require the use and disposal of massive volumes of water. Environmental engineers will continue to be needed to help utilities and water treatment plants comply with any new federal or state environmental regulations.

Income

• The median annual wage of environmental engineers was $78,740 in May 2010.

• Since the job is out looked to grow 22% from 2010 to 2020, the median pay is going to increase as well.

Qualities • Communication skills. Environmental engineers must be able to write clearly so others

without their specific training understand their plans, proposals, specifications, findings, and other documents.

• Problem-solving skills. When designing facilities and processes for treating wastewater and other pollution, environmental engineers strive to solve several issues at once, from workers’ safety to environmental protection. They must be able to identify and anticipate problems to prevent losses for their employers, safeguard workers’ health, and mitigate environmental damage.

• Reading-comprehension skills. Environmental engineers often work with business people, lawyers, and other professionals outside their field. They often are required to read and understand documents that are outside their scope of training.

• Systems analysis. Environmental engineers sometimes have to design systems that will be part of larger ones. They must be able to foresee how the proposed designs will interact with other components in the process, including the workers, machinery, equipment, or the environment.

• Teamwork. Environmental engineers must be able to work with others toward a common goal. They usually work with engineers and scientists who design other systems and with the technicians and mechanics who put the designs into practice.

Real Estate Agent

Nature of Work

• Real estate brokers and sales agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties. Brokers and agents do the same type of work, but brokers are licensed to manage their own real estate businesses. Sales agents must work with a broker.

Education and Training

• In every state and the District of Columbia, real estate brokers and sales agents must be licensed. To become licensed, candidates must be high school graduates, be at least 18 years old, and complete a particular number of hours of real estate courses.

Job Outlook

• Employment of real estate brokers and sales agents is expected to grow 11 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job opportunities will fluctuate with the economy and are, like many other sales occupations, highly dependent on the personal drive, motivation, and sales ability of the individual real estate broker or sales agent.

Income

• In May 2010, the median annual wage of real estate brokers was $54,910, and the median annual wage of real estate agents was $40,030. Brokers and agents earn most of their income from commissions on sales.

Qualities• Real estate brokers and sales agents typically do the following:• Solicit potential clients to buy, sell, and rent properties• Advise clients on prices, mortgages, market conditions, and other related

information• Compare properties to determine a competitive market price• Generate lists of properties for sale, including details such as location and features• Promote properties through advertisements, open houses, and listing services• Take prospective buyers or renters to see properties• Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration• Mediate negotiations between the buyer and seller• Ensure all terms of purchase contracts are met• Prepare documents such as loyalty contracts, purchase agreements, and deeds

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Estate News. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2013.• "The Latest Real Estate Buzzwords." MintLife Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar.

2013.• "Connect With Us." MintLife Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2013.• "FedUpUSA." FedUpUSA RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2013.