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Environmental Resources Engineering, B.S. | Class of
Kyle Wolfe
Energy Efficiency Engineer
Employer: kW Engineering
Job description: Kyle applies his expertise in building science, thermodynamics, programming, and statistics to assist building owners across various industries in reducing their carbon emissions and energy consumption. This is achieved through several strategies, including direct equipment replacement, equipment commissioning, controls sequencing, and load shifting. Kyle specializes in developing and implementing advanced energy management software to identify faults in HVAC systems, recommend improvements, ensure successful implementation, and quantify energy savings. Kyle collaborates with a team that has established industry-leading statistics-based building energy modeling techniques and standards, developed alongside LBNL and the CPUC, to validate energy savings for utility incentive programs. Although much of this work is centered in California, Kyle's involvement in energy efficiency initiatives for large industrial manufacturing centers has generated energy savings throughout Asia.
About Kyle
Why did you choose this program?
The Environmental Resources Engineering program provides a unique approach to studying engineering that leverages the wealth of research and professional experience of its faculty to deliver curriculum that prepares you for an impactful career. Much of the learning experience in this program occurs outside of the classroom on tangible projects that have direct relevance to work you'll engage in as an engineer. I chose this program because I wanted to get hands-on experience on engineering projects and pursue undergraduate research opportunities. Humboldt's program is unique among environmental engineering programs due to its specialization pathways in subject matter beyond just water resources, such as energy resources, solid waste management, air quality, and natural treatment systems.
How did this program prepare you for your job?
The energy resources specialization pathway and its course projects directly prepared me for the work I do today, including the disciplines of building science, thermodynamics, psychrometrics, and energy modeling that I utilize on a weekly basis. Additionally, core curriculum courses such as computational methods and data modeling developed robust programming skills that have allowed me to excel as a software engineer and data scientist. The program also prepares students well as technical writers and effective communicators.
What did you enjoy most about the program?
The quality and generosity of the faculty. The department has some truly exceptional professors who continue to inspire passion for engineering in me. The small class sizes and engaging projects foster direct relationships between professors and students as they progress through the program. I've received such valuable mentoring, career advice, and life lessons during one-on-one conversations after class and during office hours from professors. They gave me the motivation I needed to persevere through hardship and succeed in the program despite challenging circumstances. I'm lucky to consider many of these professors as my friends, and I continue to keep in regular contact with them.
What would you say to prospective students who are thinking about applying to this program?
Utilize your introductory classes to explore engineering disciplines and find what area you're passionate about. Try to incorporate that area of engineering into your course projects as frequently as possible to give you further opportunity to develop expertise. Engage in undergraduate research opportunities whenever possible. This will give you a major leg up when you start applying for internships and jobs, as tangible project/research experience enforces a deep understanding of topics and shows employers that you can seamlessly apply knowledge outside the classroom.
Find your tribe among your colleagues and integrate them into your support system. This is a challenging major, and you need people who understand the difficulties of being an engineering student to support you and inspire you. Engineers thrive when they collaborate rather than compete. Respect your peers, use them as a resource, and give back to the community whenever you can. ERE students go on to do amazing things, so it's very plausible that these connections will provide key professional opportunities later in your career.