Chemical engineers work with producing the chemicals and other products that require chemical processing.  Using the theories and laws of chemistry, they do such things as design chemical plants, manufacturing equipment, and production methods.  They also develop methods for removing chemical contaminants from waste materials.
Chemical engineers work in various different industries, including those that yield chemicals, petroleum, and electronic products.  Sometimes these products are sold to other industries that use them to make products ranging from fine textiles to automobile tires.  Chemicals are used in the treatment of the water we drink and most of the foods we eat as well as many of the clothes we wear.  Chemical engineers design factories and machines, and develop the plans to bring such products to consumers.
Having a job in this field requires a working knowledge of chemistry, physics, and mechanical and electrical engineering.  The ability to attend to details, think analytically, and work well with others are necessary as well.
A bachelor’s degree in engineering is the minimum requirement to enter this field.  The first two years are usually spent studying basic sciences, mathematics, some liberal arts courses and introductory engineering.  The remaining years are typically spent in specialized engineering courses.
Some institutions where a person could receive a formal education in this vocation are Massachusetts Institute of Technology, American Institute of Chemical Engineering, Trinity University, and Roanoke University.
Some positive aspects of this career are that chemical engineers usually work in clean and well-equipped facilities and they are often able to travel due to the fact that they work in many different parts of the country.  On the negative side, chemical engineers have to work with very dangerous chemicals at times, and working overtime is often necessary in this line of work.
Because of the rapid expansion of the energy and chemical industries, the number of jobs in this vocation will increase through the year 2006.  The best bet for job opportunities are in the fields of pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, and plastics manufacturers, in which a fair amount of chemical engineers specialize.
The average starting salary for a chemical engineer with a bachelor’s degree working in a private company is 39,000 dollars a year.  For those with a master’s degree, a starting average is about 40,200 dollars a year, and for those with a Ph.D., the average is 55,300 dollars a year.  The average yearly salary for engineers employed by the government is about 58,080 dollars a year.
The future of a person’s job as a chemical engineer depends on the motivation of this person.  With experience a chemical engineer could go on to be an expert in their field, a manager, or an executive. Also one could start their own business or consulting firm.
The purpose of the job of a chemical engineer is to solve the practical problems in the manufacture and use of products.  They also help to design chemical plants and the machinery used in them.  They do everything from making sure the plant will not pollute the environment to supervising the actual construction to working in the manufacturing process.