Chemical Engineer
Chemical engineers work in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare,
design and construction, pulp and paper, petrochemicals, food processing,
specialty chemicals, polymers, biotechnology, and environmental health
and safety industries, among others. Within these industries, chemical
engineers rely on their knowledge of mathematics and science – particularly
chemistry – to overcome technical problems safely and economically. Chemical
engineers don’t only “make things,” though. Their expertise is also applied
in the areas of law, education, publishing, finance, and medicine, as well
as in many other fields that require technical training.
Chemical engineers usually have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Chemical
Engineering, from such schools as Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT), Cornell University, Stanford University, and Temple University.
They usually possess knowledge of combustion, furnace and/or boiler operation,
knowledge of control systems as applied to steam generation, or alternatively,
and general knowledge of control systems as applied in combustion applications.
Chemical engineers also demonstrate an ability to quickly acquire knowledge
and assimilate into a new industry, and also possess strong customer and
economic thinking skills.
Most companies who hire chemical engineers provide full benefits, including,
but not limited to, medical, dental, and life insurance; accidental death
and dismemberment insurance; educational assistance; holidays; pension
plans; and 401(k) savings plans. The salaries in chemical engineering
range from $40,000/year to $90,000/year, but most often fall in the range
of $65,000/year to $80,000/year.
Currently, there are many job opportunities for chemical engineering,
since it is a broad category, and is involved in many areas. Chemical
engineering is a relatively new field (only several decades old) and continues
to grow, which is evidence that this career has a very big future.
Specifically, chemical engineers often improve food processing techniques,
and methods of producing fertilizers, to increase the quantity and quality
of available food. They also construct the synthetic fibers that make our
clothes more comfortable and water resistant; they develop methods to mass-produce
drugs, making them more affordable; and they create safer, more efficient
methods of refining petroleum products, making energy and chemical sources
more productive and cost effective. Chemical engineers also develop solutions
to environmental problems, such as pollution control and remediation. In
addition, they process chemicals, which are used to make or improve just
about everything you see around you. Chemical engineers face many of the
same challenges that other professionals face, and they meet these challenges
by applying their technical knowledge, communication and teamwork skills;
the most up-to-date practices available; and hard work.
