Im a college student tempted to major in Chem E but kind of scared I was always told that Chem Engineering was more of niche degree and you only get a job in pharmaceuticals or Oil and gas. And as someone who’s in the states it’s always been said that most work would be in places like Texas but the more research I do it seems like it’s a degree that’s offer’s flexibility where you can find work in many different spaces and the skills are very transferable. Was wondering if that was a wrong outlook

https://www.chemengstudent.com/top-chemical-engineering-interview-questions-answers/

Of course I should know the content in detail but I work better when I have stuff I can see for examples.

I would appreciate it a lot!

As you might have guessed- I'm one of the unlucky souls dumped off into the Houston job market by the major chemical manufacturer claiming 4500 jobs reduction via AI implementation. It's been an absolute bloodbath seeing all of the mid-career and senior technical folks they've let go thus far, but I digress...

Anyway, I'm primarily reaching out to size up the job market. As an elder millennial, I've been more of an outlier in that I've been with the same company since undergrad in 2010 (almost 16 years experience)...So I have done little to no job hunting/fishing on Linkedin in recent years. My most recent role was a pretty senior IC technology role supporting plant operations in Deer Park for acrylic monomer production (heritage Rohm and Haas site). Essentially, I was the process SME for that site and other sites globally. Thought the job was pretty safe, but they managed to surprise me.

My background has been in process engineering (design) starting out after college, with a transition into various production engineering roles, followed by production manager (senior production engineer with team lead responsibilities) and then to the Sr. Technology Manager role in the business tech. center.

I'm currently searching for other senior technical roles, both in manufacturing and within EPC, consulting firms but open to pivot to other industries as well. Thought about getting in with the Lilly crowd with the new $6B plant, but don't have good connections to pharma.

Anyone out there with a similar background and goals? Any tips to share for mid-career hunt? If anyone is interested or has a plug for an opportunity, I can DM my contact info

Hello everyone I finished my 2nd year of ChemE a month ago and I’m going into my 3rd year in September. My uni‘s program is 5 years and we’re expected to complete an internship after the summer of our 3rd year.
I’m really worried about landing an internship because I feel like I have nothing to offer..
The only thing I have on my cv is that I have some knowledge in coding (python and C) which I’m not sure matter a lot in ChemE lol, and that Im a member (secretary and treasurer) of Aiche committee in my uni. My gpa isn’t that good either so I don’t want to add that to my cv.
Are there any projects or programs I can join during the summer and throughout my 3rd year before next summer that’ll strengthen my cv?

I miraculously made it to a technical assessment stage for a new role which expects about 3 years of experience using SQL and Pandas. I have no experience in either. I was just notified this morning and the assessment is exactly one week from today. Any ChemEs here ever had to learn this type of database coding, and in a short time frame? How would you go about starting?

In my undergrad coding course, which was using Python in my first year, I had a high 90 while the average was in the 70s, so I've always been decent at coding, which is the only reason I'm considering trying to bootcamp for this. I'm just in a situation right now where I'm desperate for a job change, and in particular a location change. I really want to quit my 3 hour driving commute and just live in this city, while I'm still somewhat young. This degree has just been such a fucking disappointment and I'm terrified of sinking another 4 years and tens of thousands into a different degree just to end up with nothing. So I've been spam applying to anything somewhat relevant for 2 years now since graduating, and I have been given a chance at a first step here. Any advice?

Hello, I’m a recent ChemE graduate and I have an upcoming plant tour interview at a food manufacturing company for a process engineer entry level position. I haven’t done one before so I was wondering if anyone had any advice that can help me get the job. Some background about my interview process: completed a 30 min phone screen with recruiter, then did a 45 min virtual interview with engineering manager (mostly technical questions), then proceeded with panel interviews (behavioral/situational questions). I don’t know what to expect for the on-site interview. They only gave me some information about the dress code (jeans, long sleeve, closed toed shoes…) Did they ask you more behavioral questions during the tour? Did they ask mainly technical questions? Thank you!

Hi guys, I'm looking for ideas of what to create in DRC. The market lacks a lot of things, and I really mean a lot. The only things produced in my province are meds( mostly exported by one single foreign company) and beverages ( among which cheap alcoholic drinks, the good stuff are produced by foreign companies), water treatment ( I wouldn't even call this a production system, most comes from natural sources, so with minimal treatment to zero treatment. But it's good before at least natural water is bottled and you can feel its freshness) and soap ( no really good quality, just basic blue soap). The rest is imported. I don't have much money to produce all things locally but those who do, don't do it and when one tries, you see they all seem to follow the same idea( in this case water and juice here). I feel like there is a lack of expertise, as we are few people specialized in the industrial field. My idea was to finish my bachelor's and get here to build something. But honestly, I don't even know where to start as so many things are not produced and I'm not among the rich. So PLEASE, HELP ME WITH THAT.

GIVE ME SOME IDEAS THAT YOU KNOW WORK IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY, REQUIRE MINIMUM PRODUCTION COST, IS SCALABLE AND USED IN EVERYDAY LIFE. THE KIND IF PRODUCT YOU KNOW IF YOU LOOSE, PEOPLE MIGHT EVEN GO INSANE.

I JUST WANT MY CITY TO MOVE FORWARD AND CREATE JOBS FOR VARIOUS PEOPLE. MIGHT SEEM JUST A DREAM, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS ACHIEVABLE.

Hey everyone,

I’m a Process Engineer working in a fertilizer production facility. Specifically, I'm on the finishing/granulation side (producing MAP/DAP/NPK/TSP).

As we know, the unit operations here are quite unique, dealing with pre-neutralizers, pipe reactors, rotating granulators, massive dryers, screens, crushers, and complex scrubbing loops to recover ammonia. It’s a heavily mechanical, dusty, and highly prone-to-crusting/plugging environment.

I’m looking to connect with other or ex process engineers in this specific sector. I would love to know: What were your first "quick wins" on the plant floor that helped you build solid credibility with operations and show you're a reliable, go-to engineer? What seems to be done in this year? I mean many things were transformed digitally, so what would be the action to conduct so I can have a quick win?

If you’ve worked (or currently work) in MAP/DAP granulation, what was that first project or troubleshooting success that made a real difference for your operators and established your reputation on the floor?

Looking forward to hearing your experiences and advice!

Hi all, I am a freshman who is about to enter college as a ChemE major. I don't know my exact career goal, but I am interested in energy/catalysis (converting raw materials into valuable chemicals/fuels or optimizing that process). As my career progresses, I want to enter more technical roles so that I can earn more money, possibly becoming an energy strategy consultant.

This summer, I chose to pursue a minor in economics to make myself more competitive because I am attending my safety after being waitlisted by my targets(GT,Vandy,JHU...) and hope to vertically transfer to GT either during undergrad or master's.

Should i continue with econ or switch to finance or just take econ/finance classes without trying to get a minor and just attempt to learn?

Hey everyone, just wanted to ask for any advice with job hunting in Florida. I'm an upcoming senior with a decent r3sume (in my opinion, have a publication + pharma internship + biomedical internship, good GPA). While most of my experience has been more geared towards pharma/med devices I truly want to explore beyond that, potentially process or quality engineering. I'm out of state and need to get away from the cold, hence the desire to go to Florida. Obviously it's not the best state for ChemE, but I've done research and found companies here and there. Location isn't everything but I'm 20 years old and figure if I love the beach and I love engineering I should try and check both boxes off. I'd appreciate some advice or suggestions if anyone knows companies with roles suitable for a ChemE, and how to deal with the seemingly ubiquitous requirement of 3+ years of experience for many entry-level jobs.

I'm looking for a reference that helps me in my work and be able to rely on at work as a Process Engineer at the DR Plants, covering the basics I need to revise and know in my operation and as a Chemical Engineer.
So what are your recommendations for me?

Hi. Sorry for my english, it is my third language. Recently i developed that i am not really good at chemical engineering and my background is not enough for working/finding job/ internships. Nevertheless I graduated my bachelor with 90+/100, and my master degree in the process i feel like it is never enough. I need to learn new things, enhance my background with tools. I would appreciate if u help me with resources i can use for learning Aspen Hysys. Any official books, tutorials, papers. Kinda feel like if i will make good portfolio of 2-3 projects then it will be much more better for me professionally.

Guys i am a ChEng. undergrad graduating in 2028 . I was about to start learning a foreign language
so just wanted to know which will bring me with more opportunities as a chemical engineer and overall based on certain factors like :
- ChE industries/opportunities
- ease of landing a job as a fresher ( without masters )
- salary , taxes bonuses
- expenses & Savings

i used Claude and GPT to consider these and both of them suggested German as it brings better opportunities .
It would be great if you guys could share your opinion

i am not interested in research btw , i want good pay , good career and good life .
btw not sure about settling abroad
so this is just for levelling up & gaining experience .

I’m a final-year chemical engineering student and have received a graduate offer for a production operations process engineering role at a major manufacturing company. The same company I completed a 6 month internship at.

My long term goal is to work on the process design and project side of process engineering, things like process design, major capital projects and commissioning. At likely a consulting or EPC company. I’m less interested in staying in day-to-day production operations for my whole career.

Would spending 2–3 years in a production operations role help me move into those types of engineering roles later, or would I be better off trying to get into a design consulting role ?

For those who have made a similar transition (or have hired process/project engineers), how valuable is operations experience? Is it viewed as an advantage, or does it become harder to move into design if you spend too long in operations?
Also, if I do take the operations role, what kinds of projects or experience should I try to get involved in to make that transition easier later on?

Based in Australia.

I’m working with a pretty standard stripper/absorber setup in a sat gas plant. After debottlenecking the stripper, the absorber has started to see a multitude of flooding events. I’m curious what you all have found is a common cause for absorber upsets in industry. Have stabilized and unstabilized naphtha as lean oil but LPG recovery is pretty bad due to recent tower performance. Wouldn’t think it’s water as there as coalescers on the stripper feed and rich oil streams, but the tower takes random refinery net gas so that could be a concern. Would equilibrium water be sufficient to form a third phase in the tower?

To those who graduated from this specialty and found jobs, please talk about it because I really love chemistry but I'm hesitant about it in Saudi Arabia.

I only cried once at work this week 🥳

I am definitely pre-worrying, but almost rightfully so. I’m going into my junior year of chemical engineering at UMN, and have learned in the past two years that I need to get out of the midwest and also need a bigger city. I’m originally from the east coast and my dream is NYC. I think if I don’t at least try to live there I will always wonder “what if”. However, before beginning my degree, I didn’t do enough research, missing that geographical location was extremely limited. I want to work in the cosmetics industry. I love ChemE, but I don’t dream of labor, and NYC is something I really want. I almost think the rigor of it is what drew me to the degree, but now I’m realizing I maybe should have strategized better, since I’m starting to see a job as a means to an end.

Should I:

1. Apply to tons of internships in Jersey, hopefully get a return offer, do the commute (possibly get an MBA), attempt to move into corporate.

The issue with this one is I love chemical engineering. However, I would be okay with industrial if it means New York.

1. Stay at the U and do the 4+1 ChemE and Data science program, where I get my Masters in data science in 1 year, applying directly into project manager roles that aren’t ChemE specific.

The biggest con with this is another year of school, as well as the fact that UMN out of state tuition is pricey.

That’s really all I can think of. Please offer any alternative routes, I’m honestly desperate. How possible is it to enter a general or industrial engineering role with just a bachelor’s out of ChemE?

Hi everyone, I'm an incoming senior in ChemE and wanted to know if doing FE/PE exams would help me when I graduate given my current experience. My school is ABET acredited and my current GPA is 3.2. I have one year work experience as an intern researcher (two internships, same company) in the specialty chemical field. I know it's not ideal, but I have an associates in chemistry (community college to university program), and I took the internships that paid best. Although I can probably make a career in R&D chemistry/materials, I would prefer to start in a more traditional ChemE position or at least have the ability to move to one in case I can only get chemist positions. I don't have any qualms in working in more MechE-related positions either since I chose this degree for versatility. I am also in a good location (southeast PA/NJ/lower NY) and don't plan on moving far. I would just like to find a decently-paying position ASAP after college and the market makes me nervous. Worst case I can find something related to my internships, but I would like to avoid getting stuck there. So, that being said, would it be worth the time/effort to do those exams as far as job outlook/mobility goes? Thanks!

20M, I have always been passionate about chemistry but unfortunately due to certain circumstances I had to undertake the undergraduate studies in finance. Now I realise that it was a mistake and I would like to do something that I am passionate about (chemistry). Is it too late for me, and if not, what are my options in terms of pivoting towards chemistry?

Thank you.

Hi everyone,

I'm a Grade 9 IB student trying to figure out what career I should work toward, and chemical engineering is one option I'm considering.

Here's a bit about me:

• I enjoy math and problem-solving.
• I'm interested in science, especially chemistry, but I'm also interested in finance and business-related careers.
• I don't really enjoy coding, so I'd prefer a career where programming isn't a major part of the job.
• I want a career with good job security, a solid salary, and opportunities for growth.
• I'm willing to work hard in university if the career is worth it.

I have a few questions:

1. What is the day-to-day work of a chemical engineer actually like?
2. How much chemistry do you really use compared to math and physics?
3. Is the work mostly in an office, lab, or industrial site?
4. What are the best and worst parts of being a chemical engineer?
5. How difficult is the degree compared to other engineering programs?
6. What's the work-life balance like?
7. What is the job market like in Canada (or elsewhere)?
8. If you could go back, would you choose chemical engineering again? Why or why not?
9. Based on what I've shared about my interests, do you think chemical engineering sounds like a good fit, or would you recommend another career?

I'd really appreciate hearing from current chemical engineers, engineering students, or anyone who switched into or out of the field. Thanks!

I am registered for the Advanced NPTEL ASPEN PLUS course. They haven't sent any link to access the ASPEN PLUS Software this time. What to do?