Meg AddedSaturday, May 7, 2016 at 5:52 PM I want to major in environmental engineering but my school doesn't offer it Hi! I'm a junior in high school looking to become an environmental engineer, but I'm having troubling deciding on a major. The college that I want to go to doesn't have and environmental or civil engineering option, but it does offer civil engineering technology and I'm not sure exactly what that is? There's also a mechanical engineering option with a focus in energy and environment so I'm not sure which one is better suited for me or what the difference between the two actually is? Thank you! Related to Choosing a Degree, Environmental, Preparation for College Reset Sort By Default Christina Castillo , Fox and Associates, Inc. Answered Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 5:52 PM Hi Meg! I am excited that you are interested in pursuing a career in environmental and/or civil engineering. A lot of colleges that offer civil engineering technology have some information on their website about the differences between engineering technology and engineering. I encourage you to check the schools website and see their explanation but I can give you a little bit of insight. I graduated college with a degree in civil engineering technology. The main difference between the two degrees is the straight engineering degree tends to be more theory based curriculum and calculus based mathematics, The engineering technology degree is more hands on application and algebra based mathematics. So in the engineering technology degree I took we had the theory based classes but we also had a lab associated with them that required us to do the physical testing in order to get our data, rather then just being given the data to complete the calculation. There is also a little bit of a difference when you get into the work force depending on what field you go into. I had no problem finding a job with an engineering technology degree and neither did friends of mine that I went to school with. But the difference being if you desire to get your PE (Professional Engineering) license. Every state is different but most have some a required about of time you have to work in the field that is longer for someone with an engineering technology degree then someone with an engineering degree. The difference between environmental and civil and mechanical can be very drastic or very minimal depending on what you want to do as a career. Environmental tends to be more groundwater and soils analysis but overlaps with civil in that manner where civil is more using that analysis to design the things that impact the soils. and mechanical with an environmental option I would imagine has to do with the design of windmills or things like that the are environmentally geared. I hope this helps answer your question and helps you decide which is the right path for you. Christina