Chemical engineering is one of the most far-reaching, exciting and rewarding fields of engineering. It focuses on processes to convert raw materials into high-value products including fuel, drugs, food and mass-produced goods you use daily such as toothpaste, detergents and plastics.
Chemical engineers design processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing that guarantee quality products. Chemical engineers contribute to improve our world through water treatment, environmental solutions, healthcare and energy innovation. Here’s why you should think about making your career in an exciting, fast-paced field.
You gain a wide variety of applicable skills.
Become proficient in areas like chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, materials science and information technology. You’ll obtain a great knowledge base in economics, management, safety and environmental remediation, and become a key contributor in the private or public sector.Pick where you want to go.
A chemical engineering degree provides competitive job opportunities in many fields such as the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries, manufacturing, energy and environmental engineering. That increases your chances of finding attractive posts in many in-demand areas like production of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products.It’s trending upward.
In 2014, estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics put the total chemical engineering jobs at 34,300 and projected to grow at a rate of 2 percent annually. The median salary is a healthy $97,360 per year.Make a real difference in people’s lives.
Chemical engineers work in offices, labs, industrial plants, refineries, and some even become among the best intellectual property experts, where they design, monitor or direct operations, or solve onsite problems. Chemical engineers strive to improve people’s nutrition, health, access to energy resources, and they lead in environmental sustainability. Your job is guaranteed to make a difference.Contribute to oil and gas production.
Chemical engineers’ training to take on many roles in the oil and gas sector and are often preferred for jobs in this industry for their unsurpassed ability to make practical use of chemistry. Chemical engineers are also in demand in mining for their unique expertise to purify raw materials to commercial grade.