Why I Quit My Job as an Environmental Engineer
Vložit
- čas přidán 5. 08. 2024
- July 8, 2022 - The day I quit my job as an Environmental Engineer for the US Air Force.
Now I will be working as a Water Resource Control Engineer for the California Water Quality Control Board.
------------------------------------Affiliate Links------------------------------------
Taking the Fundamentals Exam or GRE? Below are some of the materials I used to help me pass my first time.
1) Environmental Engineering FE/EIT Preparation Sample Questions and Solutions: (The CHEAP book I used) ► amzn.to/2YxCZss
2) All other materials ► www.amazon.com/shop/randyly
------------------------------------Social Media------------------------------------
Instagram► / randitly
Linkedin► / randy-ly-eit-96a7b288
Business Email►randyly.enveng@gmail.com
Website►helloenvironment.com
------------------------------------About Me------------------------------------
I graduated with a Bachelors in Chemistry and a Masters in Environmental Engineering. I worked as an Environmental Engineer for the US Air Force, a cancer researcher for a private R&D company, and a graduate teaching assistant at UC Irvine.
On this channel, I'll be sharing my story on what it's like being an Environmental Engineer, detailing the good and bad of the position. Some other relatable topics may include personal growth, job hunting, and minimalism all from the perspective of a millennial.
------------------------------------Background Music------------------------------------
- Purrple Cat - Thunder Nap
- Provided by Lofi Girl
------------------------------------**DISCLAIMER**------------------------------------
Some of the links and products that appear in this video and in the description are from companies for which Randy Ly will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. Randy Ly is part of an affiliate network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partnering sites. There is no additional charge to you. - Zábava
Thank you for the great info. The transparency in all of the details you provided is great. Not a lot of people share the exact details and amount they make.
Thanks for being so transparent in your videos Randy. It has been great watching your journey and I'm excited to see what comes next for you. It's good to hear you're leaving a toxic work environment to do something that may fit you better. As you said, you don't know the future, but at least you have control of that next step. The way I see it, you're still an Environmental Engineer, simply another branch. I am a senior studying environmental engineering and I've really enjoyed my fluid mechanics, hydraulics, and hydrology classes so I am leaning more towards water resources and want to stick with water quality as well so I'll be looking forward to your videos on your new job!
Thanks for watching and being super supportive! I'm still learning a lot on the job, so I don't I'll be posting anything about my current job for a while.
this isn't disappointing, this is a win! you're moving into a more legit engineering job. compliance is more for environmental scientists. And thank you so much for the pay transparency. I'm in an interview process now, so it helps me in negotiation. Also, I think water resource control engineer sounds pretty close man! it's not like you jumped ship and went and became a cruise ship dancer! lol
Thanks for sharing Randy, it will be good to hear more about your new experiences!!! Cheers.
great update Randy! So happy for you! Your new role still is within the realms of Environmental Engineering to me. Water Resources and Sewage Water are close to my heart too, as these are some of the cognate subjects we learned in Hydraulics Engineering. Considering all the points you mentioned, moving to a new work is definitely a win for you! Good luck Randy!
Thanks Sunny! Good to hear from you again
Congrats! Good job on moving. I left a toxic environment in consulting but now at another toxic environment at another firm. It took my 5 years to get to six figures but I only have my bachelors and an EIT.
I passed the 8 hour Civil PE exam in Water Resources in Environtmental back in October. That alone is very valuable on a resume to potential employers even though I’m not licensed yet. Definitely recommend studying for it ASAP rather than waiting since it opens so many more doors.
Always look around if you’re not happy. I’ve gotten many interviews and offers over the years just from passively applying. The WRCB is a good stable government job, so definitely good incentive to stay. Especially because of pension and work life balance. Good luck!
Sorry to hear that you got back into a toxic environment. I don't think anyone can ever escape one at this point.
I think my new job will help pay for some of the study materials for the PE exam, so I'll definitely be using them as a resource after I become familiar with my job.
Honestly, the moment I got the US Air Force job as an Env Eng, I was already applying for another job because I now had something new on my resume.
Thanks for the insight.
A wonderful move. I also got a good opportunity. I changed my job as an on site environmental engineer in construction field to a in house sustainability officer in a conglomerate corporation last month.
Nice! Hopefully that goes well with you too
You're so lucky, young and smart. Your parents and family raised you right. Good for you for being wise and making good decisions. I wasn't as lucky, especially in my 20's. I didn't really have a lot of family/parental support and as a result, I made some big mistakes along the way. I am 10 years older than you.
I’m still going to watch all your next videos!! Good luck, Randy!
Thank you! I have such loyal fans 😭
Randy, your videos helped me go out of a crisis when I first started studying environmental engineering. Thanks for helping us understand everything about our fields, you are changing lives
Glad I can help!
How was it in school though, work and stress wise
@@noelmcdonald2605 I dropped out💀 like many of my classmates (bcs of the pandemic).
Even if I was good at math, besides it being demanding, the classes were also just too absorbing for me and there was a lot of math to study on my own instead of having my teachers to help me. My life was becoming math courses, math practice, math tests...
My break was physics class:') cuz it's where I got to solve problems instead of equations. The enviornmental subjects didn't turn out as stimulating as I thought they would since I guess that in my city we don't have such advanced needs.
And the more I investigated about engineering the more I didn't like the professional fields; they didn't allow for as much creativity as I thought they would. I got depressed and lost.
So with no motivation at hand, doing all that math just burns you out.
If by any chance you ask cuz u wanna become an engineer, my advice is to know for sure that you'll like your future as one. Also u gotta become an expert at your already learned math skills (idk like even just mental arithmetics) before even thinking of starting your courses.
Currently one of my engineering friends is doing just fine (he constantly makes comments like "the exams are fucking me up man" in a light manner) but tbh he's just used to being absorbed in numbers, so it's not a big weight for him, he likes what he does.
I felt the same way at my old workplace and I love that you’re being totally honest about everything in your videos. That’s a sub from me👍🏾
Thanks for watching!
😆 Can’t wait until I start bashing my current job.
I got scared when I saw the title of the video and worried that you were completely pivoting away from env engineering, but I definitely still regard WRCE as in our field :) even when I tell people that my title is technically Civil Engineer, I consider myself an environmental engineer still. I appreciate how honest and transparent you are with why you're deciding to switch roles/employers, ESPECIALLY when it comes to looking out for yourself (both financially and professional growth). I'd love to hear about your journey towards getting your PE! I graduated with my BS this spring and took the FE 4 months ago so I have some time before I take the next step, but it would be awesome to hear about your strategies/thoughts as you prepare. Best of luck to you!!!
Thanks Annika! Civil Engineers are just more well-known and are the generic "engineers" that people think of when they hear the word. I was worried people would just stop watching if I switched roles because that's what I've become known for on CZcams, but I'm glad I have loyal viewers. 🙂
I plan on taking the PE after I become a little more familiar with my job, especially if my job is willing to pay for some of the study materials.
Thankyou for sharing your experience and being so transparent
Always happy to help and thanks for watching my videos.
thank you so much man the videos really help
Wherever you go and work at, under whatever board, with whatever title, you will always be my role model in our fight against climate change. Always a walking inspiration.Good luck with your move.
Thank you for the encouragement!
Congrats! You're going to love SWRCB /government. Pay, benefits, pension, stability! Technically a WRCE is just a specific type of environmental engineer. Interesting to see if you pursue a PE in chemical (1 exam) versus civil (3 exams). It's been awesome following your journey.
Thanks! Are you familiar with what SWRCB does? I'm still lost and being overwhelmed with the training and amount of information. 😅
I'm most likely going to take the Civil PE route. I have zero experience with Chemical Engineering besides like one class in graduate school.
@@RandyLy From what I understand SWRCB oversees anything water related in the state. Water quality, permitting, enforcement, monitoring, etc. I’m at a sister agency and while we don’t interact too often I do see updates from CalEPA newsletters.
It can seem overwhelming in the beginning but just ask questions and soak it all in. No one comes into the agency knowing everything. It takes time to learn processes and skills.
I’m very happy for you. Been following you and learned greatly from your profession. Because of you I adopted A highway before the stipend program ends haha. Currently a chemist for the city of San Diego for wastewater section but looking into which masters degree to pursue that will allow me to stay in the sector. Protecting the environment and our most precious resource- water is so important especially In California. The new generation should know about the water industry opportunities as many are currently retiring. Anyways congratulations and off to better things!
Thank you! I'm glad to hear you adopted a highway. Hopefully it's as easy as my experience with it and you're getting paid.
I agree, water in California is such an important resource. Despite the heavy rainfall these past few weeks, we can't rely on it to happen every year or solve our drought problems.
Great insight 👌
Good luck in your new job!
Thanks! I'm still lost and overwhelmed with the amount of information after being here for almost 3 weeks.
First time coming to your channel as a graduate env engineer, already subscribed 😊…. will be watching every video l feel so motivated thank you so much for being like a role model🙏🏼.
Thank you for watching! Although be prepared, I don't sugar-coat anything and it's not all glamorous.
Good for you Randy!
Thanks!
Im currently undecided between studying International business, hospitality and tourism management , or environmental engineering. Your videos are really helpful for knowing what i might get myself into. I appreciate your honesty, it will be useful for others as well. Thank you for making this content, i hope you have the best of best experiences in your life.
Thanks for watching! I hope it helps in deciding what you want to do as a career.
Did you decide?
Best of luck, Randy!
Thanks!
I hope for your better future 💯
Thanks!
My jaw dropped when I heard you announce your new role cause I’m a WRCE with a regional water board! I’ve been following your page since 2020 when I was earning my masters. Welcome to the water boards!
Oh I do industrial compliance too. Feel free to reach out with any questions while you’re getting the hang of things. Onboarding can be overwhelming.
That’s so cool! I was shocked to see a a welcome email when they first introduced me on my first day at the WRCB that someone recognized me from my CZcams channel. I had to double check to see if that was from you 😆
Hey, I am working on my PE application in NY. It will be great to see you making videos about it.
I'm planning on taking the PE exam in the future and will try to make a video how I'll be studying and preparing for the test.
Woah!!! I didn’t know it paid that much ! That’s a lot of money. I’m starting to feel happy in my choice of considering studying environmental engineering :-)))
Take that with a grain of salt. My cost of living area and job aren't the norm.
I'm so happy for you!! I live in Québec (Canada) and I also wanted to be a water resources engineer but opportunities here are not that good so I'm doing a bachelor in mechanical engineering instead lol
Thank you! You should come over here. They're hiring 😀
Smart move man, learn as much as you can, take always the best from your company and job and learn to make it better. After that apply it elsewhere when you don’t feel challenged anymore.
Agreed. I'd say a good amount of time at a job is 3-5 years before you've learned most out of it
Congratulations 🎉
Thanks 😀
Congrats on the new position
Thanks!
I'm so happy for you, and congratulations on making such an awesome choice.
I do have a question though, if you don't mind. It's more career advice than anything else. I'm currently a high schooler and I was thinking about doing an environmental engineering job because I am super passionate about the environment and climate change. But I also care a lot about helping people, specifically in developing countries. They often have communities who are not only more susceptible to climate change but also the ones least prepared to defend against it. I don't want to get stuck doing a job monitoring this organization's behavior or this or that, if you know what I mean. I don't know if it'll really make a difference or impact people's lives. I want to have a little more hands experience at the workplace. Do you know of any possible careers that might have all of this?
P.s. Congrats again on your decision. So happy for you!
Hi and thank you for watching my videos! I'm glad you're interested in this field and are thinking about your future at such an early age.
I'm gonna be realistic with you. I don't know of any job that pays well that does what you want, helping developing countries hands on. I have seen organizations recruit volunteers, but they either pay out of their own pocket or barely make enough to have a comfortable life. You wouldn't be doing that for the money though and since you'll be mostly overseas, US standards won't really matter if you'll be residing in a different country.
Environmental monitoring/compliance jobs aren't the most exciting thing in the world and I would say that lifestyle/hobbies and political votes will make more of an impact on the environment than a job will.
Woah...I thought you are going to leave this field😢❤❤
Just the job title, but I’m still in this field.
Clickbaity, I know.
I just accepted a position for environmental engineer for the Navy. Any advice???
Randy. You say Environmental Engineering isn't worth much. If so, did you have to get a new certification to be a Water Control Officer. And finally, which engineering licensing are you talking about in this video?
No, I didn't have to get any new certification to work at my current Water Resource job. I just applied like any regular candidate and went through the whole interview process. As with all other jobs, it helps to have previous background, and I am sure my previous background as an Env Engineer was a huge contributing factor.
I don't remember what I said in the video, but there is only one Professional Engineering license by the NCEES.
Is that like hydrology?
Not really. I don’t know what a true hydrologist does, but it doesnt seem like I do what I envisioned they do.
Alot of environmental related jobs are being so underrated..less in demand and not well paid.(as far as i ve seen and heard).. But usually the tech jobs .
I m doing environmental science for BA and planning to do earth science for MA
But then thinking about the demands and salary..i m losing hope in it. Just like everyone else who study nature science, I want to work for the environment but dont wanna be a jobless person or broke after the Graduation. :))
What do you think
Please help me get some aspirations
That was how I thought when I graduated too, especially when pressured by family. They didn't see a future in the environment and pushed me towards the medical route.
In the end, I still chose environmental engineer after researching where the jobs were and what was in demand. Depending on your location or if you're willing to move, there are places that take the environment seriously, and you can do what you love without having to fear being jobless.
I have the same anxiety for career development as well. I am finishing my undergraduate in Environment and toxicology but Ontario is not paying much for most environmental tech jobs. With the inflation that’s going on these days, I doubt I can find a job that pays the bill.
I can relate as well. I am very passionate about helping and working in the environment sector and I'll be doing my bachelors in environmental engineering from Michigan State University and I'm afraid if I'll be able to earn enough, I am losing hope too and now I am even considering to change my major to chemical engineering. Idk if that will be a good idea.
It's funny how I just watched your video about "do you have to be good at maths if you're doing engineering" cuz maths is literally sucking the soul outta me and now I saw this video of you quitting your engineering job😬
I didn't quit my engineering job because of the math 😅. I quit because I found a better opportunity working for the Water Boards.
@@RandyLy ohh congrats !!!
Actually I stumbled upon your math video cuz I'm struggling between changing majors or quitting electronics and communication engineering solely because of maths I just want some other options to save my future
😮
Hi Randy, how to apply job in USA?
You’ll have to apply just like any other applicant on the company website and upload your resume and other requested documents
@@RandyLy thanks for sharing, any recommended platform?
I've tried the generic Indeed, Monster, and Glassdoor but they're not that good. You rarely ever hear back from the employers if you use those platforms. I'd recommend going on Indeed, for example, and seeing which company is posting and then going directly to the Company website rather than applying through Indeed. You have a much better reach since a recruiter from that company will actually get your application rather than hoping Indeed will send it to them.
@@RandyLy thanks Randy
In LATAM you won't lose your title just because you work in the water realm lol
I think it's just me and my imposter syndrome 😊
Change title