Lovers Key & Environmental Engineering

While walking along the pristine Lovers Key beach, I remember why I've chosen to move towards a career in environmental engineering. Environmental engineers specialize in wastewater treatment, air quality, waste disposal, and measure the impacts of human development on the local ecosystems. Not only does this type of engineering field meet the needs of the local human population, but primarily focuses on ensuring that the natural world is by no means harmed in any way. Systems are designed to be effective, sustainable, and have no negative impacts on the surrounding environment. When entering the workplace, I want to make sure we protect our remaining wild places so future generations can enjoy Florida's wonders. Without the appropriate knowledge of the local environment, it will be impossible to design a facility that will be effective and safe. A perfect example of the lack of knowledge in Florida's sensitive environment was the development of canals, channelization, and dikes that rapidly occurred in South Florida in the earl 1900s. The Army Corps of Engineers arrived at the scene with intentions to support a growing population, but did not take into account the negative impacts on the surrounding wetlands that depend on the natural flow of water. As a result, today we spend millions of dollars trying to restore the "old Florida." As a future environmental engineer, I hope to work here locally in Lee County and make sure that our natural environment will remain healthy and will no longer suffer from improper practices.