Whatever your opinion on global warming or climate change, there’s no denying that limiting pollution is a good thing for the environment. One of main reasons talented engineers move into the world of environmental engineering is the hope that their innovative work benefits humankind as a whole.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some new initiatives aimed at reducing pollution over the next year and beyond.

MIT’s Mission 2015 to limit Industrial Pollution

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) continues to be one of this country’s leading educational institutions focused on science and engineering. MIT’s Mission 2015 hopes to develop solutions to meet the many challenges affecting the planet’s biodiversity including the reduction of industrial pollution. Mission 2015 recognizes that solutions to this complex problem involve a multi-faceted approach.

According to MIT, “any action plan to reduce industrial pollution will need to be tailored toward specific pollutants to work well and not pose undue risks on either the economy or the environment.” MIT’s plan focuses on the reduction of multiple types of industrial pollution at their source, while leveraging the U.S. Superfund model to clean up sites that are severely polluted.

Bloomberg launches 2015 Campaign for Clean Energy

The private sector is also hopping on this green energy bandwagon. Bloomberg Philanthropies is launching a plan to start green energy initiatives helping local, state, and national stakeholders implement the EPA’s Clean Power Plan.

“With the price of clean power falling, and the potential costs of inaction on climate change steadily rising, the work of modernizing America’s power grid is both more feasible and urgent than ever. Pollution from power plants takes a terrible toll on public health, and it’s the biggest contributor to our carbon footprint. But smart investments can reduce it while also strengthening local economies,” said Michael R. Bloomberg.

Hopefully, these efforts from MIT and Bloomberg improve the environment while also spawning the economic development that helps the green energy movement expand.

If this work in environmental engineering inspires you to take your career to the next level, talk to the experts at The Talley Group. As one of the top engineering staffing agencies in Washington State, we are a great source for Seattle engineering jobs. Schedule some time with us today!

As the intellect and skills of environmental engineers continue to be leveraged to help battle climate change, one positive impact is the growth of the environmental engineering job market. If you are interested in this engineering discipline or even if you currently work in the field, now is the time to explore opportunities to make a vital difference both locally and on a larger scale.

With that in mind, let’s explore the surge in environmental engineering jobs a bit more closely.

The Green Engineering Job Scene transcends Disciplines

Green engineering initiatives offer hope for an improved environment and they are also providing lucrative opportunities for companies innovating in many areas of engineering. Grant Trump, president and chief executive of Calgary-based Environmental Careers Organization (ECO Canada), feels this is due to the importance of green engineering techniques transcending traditional engineering sectors.

“Environmental employment is cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary. We are the thread that links almost every industry sector in the Canadian economy, because almost every organization has environmental considerations,” said Trump.

Environmental Engineering Innovations abound in many Areas

Everything from waste water treatment to renewable energy benefits from the application of new engineering technology. This has created copious employment opportunities in many locations in the United States and Canada, including the Seattle area. Kathleen Lyons, editor of Green Job Idea Blog, remains bullish on the employment prospects of the environmental engineer.

“Employment in renewable energy, waste-water treatment, forestry and natural resources will grow, but so will adjunct areas such as finance, hospitality, building, skilled trades. In any industry there is an environmental twist. There is a green cast; a new view of the whole work environment. It’s a paradigm shift,” said Lyons.

In short, if you want a green-friendly engineering job, the market remains promising, so make it a point to edit your résumé and brush up on your interviewing skills!

Partnering with a top notch engineering staffing agency is a great call when looking for employment in any engineering sector. As one of the top employment agencies in Washington State, The Talley Group is a perfect source of Seattle green engineering jobs. Make it a point to talk with them today!

As the specter of climate change continues to cause controversy among politicians but minimal action, this nation’s engineers remain ahead of the game through the innovative use of green energy sources. All engineering disciplines have shown increased use of earth friendly power, but obviously the world of environmental engineering is home to leveraging many new energy innovations.

Let’s take a closer look at few different ways engineers are able to use environmentally friendly energy.

Renewable Energy seeing Widespread Use throughout Industry

Sure, renewable energy sources are good for the planet, but they are also becoming good for a company’s bottom line. Government incentives are helping to “fuel” the growth of green energy at the industry level. Organizations are able to gain cost savings through a variety of “green” programs.

Facilities engineers leverage biomass technology to help heat homes and commercial offices. Solar technology continues to improve in efficiency, making it more cost effective to implement on a house by house basis, let alone in larger scale installations.

Civil engineers increasingly are taking advantage of green energy options for power generation. Solar, biomass, wind, and water energy solutions are all becoming less cost prohibitive. Even something as simple as incandescent light bulb replacement is making a difference in a small way, as illustrated in a project taking place at Atlantic City Air National Guard Base.

Environmental Engineers grow in Importance

Clean energy also helps environmental engineers perform their jobs while saving money in a green-friendly manner. As this engineering discipline is close to the environmental impacts caused by human activity, they are able to directly observe the positive impacts through innovative use of new techniques to manage adverse environmental events, like oil spills.

As humans continue to battle climate change, environmental engineers and their innovations will become more important as the 21st Century matures.

If the innovative use of renewable energy inspires you to further your engineering career, talk to the experts at The Talley Group. As one of the top engineering staffing agencies in Washington State, they employ top notch recruiters that are also a great source of Seattle engineering jobs. Make it a point to schedule a meeting with The Talley Group today!

The practice of environmental engineering continues to grow in importance with global climate challenges becoming paramount in the 21st Century. If you are a fledgling engineer looking for a lucrative field with benefits that go beyond simple financial considerations, maybe a career as an environmental engineer makes a good fit? Your engineering skills might mitigate the damage caused by an oil spill or help bring an electric car prototype successfully to the market.

Let’s take a look at the educational options to put your career squarely on the path towards becoming an environmental engineer:

What Environmental Engineering Degree do I need?

Generally, a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering qualifies you for entry-level employment at an engineer level. It is also possible to get a job as an environmental engineering technician with only an Associates degree. If you want the best possible chances for advancement, a bachelor’s degree is the way to go.

The median starting salary for an environmental engineer is around $80,000 per year. Engineering technicians make around half that salary, with a median of around $45,000 per year. Environmental engineers with at least five years of experience, who move into management, have the potential for a six-figure salary — the median salary is around $125,000 annually.

More Gender Equality in Environmental Engineering

Women engineers enjoy more gender equality in the world of environmental engineering. Females made up 43 percent of all environmental engineering graduates in 2011. This compares to 23 percent in computer software engineering and only 12 percent in mechanical engineering. In short, environmental engineering is less male-dominated than other engineering disciplines.

Most degree programs offer concentrations to allow graduates to focus on a particular area of environmental engineering. These include sustainable infrastructure, environmental nanotechnology, and environmental chemistry and soil physics. Many opportunities exist for engineers to specialize in something that inspires them, while still allowing for a lucrative salary.

If you are intrigued by the opportunities provided by environmental engineering for both personal and career growth, talk to the experts at The Talley Group. As one of the top engineering staffing companies in Washington State, they are also a great source for Seattle engineering jobs. Schedule some time to meet with them today!

A compelling online presence is a requirement for many industries, and environmental engineering is no exception. In fact, this statement made as much sense 10 years ago as it does today. Considering the rapid growth of social networking, mobile connectivity, and Cloud-based computing, engineering firms in all disciplines need to take the steps to properly brand their company online lest they run the risk of being an also-ran in their industry sector.

Let’s take a look at four easy ways to give your environmental engineering firm an online brand that gets noticed.

A LinkedIn Company Page is a Must

While LinkedIn is the dominant social network for individual professionals, companies and organizations are also able to set up their own LinkedIn pages. This is a great opportunity to gain additional publicity and networking for your company. Have members of your management team write articles on the site to position themselves and your organization as thought leaders in the world of environmental engineering.

Don’t Skimp on the Graphic Design

Spend extra resources on creating a company logo that gets your firm noticed. Leverage that design to re-architect the look and feel of your organization’s website. Remember that your website is still a vital aspect of your company’s online presence.

Don’t forget the Other Social Networks

While LinkedIn remains the most important social network for professionals, your company also needs a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. An online marketing strategy must take advantage of the synergies between all four leading social networks. Sharing posts made on LinkedIn with your followers on the other networks extends their effectiveness.

Leverage Smart Usage of SEO

Smart use of search-engine optimization techniques helps to increase the reach of any posts and articles made by your company — anywhere on the Internet. Consider adding a blog to your website to provide more opportunities for potential customers to find your organization.

Expanding your company’s online brand is vital for your ultimate success. A competent and engaged workforce also plays a role. Talk to the engineering recruiting experts at The Talley Group for your staffing needs. As one of the top engineering staffing companies in Seattle, with a great supply of both Seattle engineering jobs and talented candidates, they can help ensure your organization’s success.

 Born in California in early 20th Century, John Blume grew up hearing his grandparents’ stories about the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. Both sets of his grandparents survived the earthquake and subsequent fire. His father, who worked as a builder, helped in the reconstruction of the city, including the legendary Palace Hotel.

As he grew older, Blume assisted his father in construction and also paid witness to other California earthquake events, including in Santa Barbara in 1925, where the coastal town was destroyed. Blume noted that most of Santa Barbara’s houses survived while the downtown commercial buildings saw heavy damage. Given his nascent experience in construction, Blume felt he could make a difference regarding earthquake safety.

Studying Engineering at Stanford University

Thus inspired, Blume enrolled at Stanford University in 1929 to study engineering. One of his professors was Lydik S. Jacobsen, known for his experimental designs for multi-story dynamic buildings able to withstand the shaking caused by an earthquake. Blume himself designed a more elaborate model based on San Francisco’s 15-story Alexander Building. His graduate thesis covered the principles of dynamic response in buildings.

Notable among Blume’s initial work after graduation was a two-year stint from 1935 to 1936 as a construction engineer on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. As his career progressed, he formed his own engineering practice, John A. Blume and Associates in 1945. Four years later, Blume played a role in the establishment of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI).

A Leader in Earthquake Engineering

Over his career, Blume and his company played a leadership role in the practice of earthquake engineering. He was involved in the design and/or analysis of a host projects engineered specifically to withstand earthquakes, including the Stanford Linear Accelerator, San Francisco’s Embarcadero Center, and the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. At the crux of his career, Blume spent time studying at Stanford ultimately earning his PhD in 1967.

His legacy as the Father of Earthquake Engineering was cemented in 1974 with the opening of the John A. Blume Earthquake Engineering Center at Stanford. His career is one to inspire any engineer. If you are interested in furthering your career as an engineer, make it a point to talk to the Talley Group. As one of the leading engineer staffing agencies in the United States, the Talley Group can help inspire you to do great things in engineering.