Working for a biotechnology startup is very fast-paced, and almost everyday there is a new and exciting project going on. A typical day includes conducting experiments, analyzing samples, data analysis, and report writing of experiments conducted. There are usually team meetings to discuss the various projects, what has been accomplished, obstacles encountered, and where to go next.
CAREER
Water Resource Specialists
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$88,570
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+1.7% (little or no change)
Most Common Level of Education
Bachelor's degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Water Resource Specialists Do
Design or oversee projects involving provision of potable water, disposal of wastewater and sewage, or prevention of flood-related damage. Prepare environmental documentation for water resources, regulatory program compliance, data management and analysis, and field work. Perform hydraulic modeling and pipeline design.
Other Job Titles Water Resource Specialists May Have
Consulting Engineer, County Engineer, Engineer, Project Development Engineer
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Provide technical direction or supervision to junior engineers, engineering or computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, or other technical personnel.
- Review and critique proposals, plans, or designs related to water or wastewater treatment systems.
- Design domestic or industrial water or wastewater treatment plants, including advanced facilities with sequencing batch reactors (SBR), membranes, lift stations, headworks, surge overflow basins, ultraviolet disinfection systems, aerobic digesters, sludge lagoons, or control buildings.
- Evaluate the operation and maintenance of water or wastewater systems to identify ways to improve their efficiency.
- Design or select equipment for use in wastewater processing to ensure compliance with government standards.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Water Resource Specialists
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (59%)
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Graduate
Molecular Biology
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
I was trained as a molecular/microbiologist in school, but I have had to learn a great deal about chemistry, engineering, water treatment and the bio-based fuels industry on the job.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
College Students
The best first step you can take is to seek out a professor who is conducting research that seems interesting to you and volunteer to work in their lab. I recommend doing this around your sophomore year. That way, if you find that area of science isn't the right fit you can look for a different lab that is of more interest to you. There are so many exciting areas of science, so being able to explore different opportunities early will help you to find your perfect fit.
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.