Meet one of p+d’s newest full-time hires, Zi Ye, PhD, EIT! Zi is an environmental engineer with over 7 years of experience in the field. She has conducted environmental assessments, handled environmental permitting, ensured environmental regulatory compliance and researched cutting-edge wastewater treatment practices. Zi’s extensive knowledge stems from her in-depth and hands-on experience in laboratory testing, analysis, research and design. Last year, Zi obtained her PhD in Environmental Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. We asked Zi to share her thoughts on p+d, engineering and future goals.
WHY P+D?
I chose p+d because the variety of projects fascinated me, and I can gain professional experience. Besides those benefits, Jason and Darren are two very knowledgeable leaders who guide me in every way.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT ENGINEERING?
Engineering is “applied science.” Working in engineering is seeing textbooks turn into reality. I enjoy applying my knowledge to solve real-life problems. I also enjoy the rewarding feeling after conquering each challenge. As an engineer, I would be pleased to see my design lead to improvements in people’s lives.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT ENGINEERING? MOST REWARDING?
The most challenging part of engineering is combining model calculations with real cases, especially under strict conditions. Sometimes the model runs very well, but the design is non-constructible. The most rewarding part is seeing my design work out and be constructed.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?
My short-term goal is to get my professional engineering license (in one year), and my long-term goal is to work on more projects and gain more experience.
Zi’s background makes her an ideal candidate for our firm. In a short time, she has already proven to be a conscientious, thorough and professional team member. She brings a depth of wastewater process knowledge and research to our work, challenging us to approach old problems with novel solutions. She is a perfect fit for p+d, and her specialized experience is rare in the profession right now. We’re lucky to have her here. – Jason & Darren