Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry and engineering to solve problems involving the production or use of  chemicals.  This is a very broad definition of the many things chemical engineers are involved with.  Their numerous duties include designing equipment and developing processes for large scale chemical manufacturing, planning and testing methods of manufacturing the products and treating the by-products, and supervising production.  Chemical engineers can also work in industries other than chemical manufacturing such as electronics or photographic equipment.  Because the duties of chemical engineers include techniques from many fields, they must have some amount of expertise in the areas of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and mechanical and electrical engineering in order to do their work effectively.  Many specialize in a particular operation (such as oxidation or polymerization) or a particular area (such as pollution control or production of specific products).  Chemical engineers can also hold different types of jobs such as those in sales or management in large chemical plants, as private consultants for small businesses who do not need a full time chemical engineer, or teachers and professors at colleges and universities.  As you can tell, chemical engineering is a field with many different options available.  It is also a field undergoing many changes as computer technology increases.  It is more and more necessary that chemical engineers understand how to apply computer skills to process analysis, computer control systems, and statistical quality control in order to make the most of all phases of production.
 Education requirements for chemical engineers vary with the job one wishes to hold.  Anyone wishing to enter the chemical engineering field needs at least a bachelors degree, which usually takes about for or five years to attain.  Many jobs also require a master’s degree, which takes about 1 or 2 additional years of study to acquire.  Chemical engineers wishing to do research or teach at a university level must also get a doctoral degree.  Chemical engineers must also be willing to study throughout their careers in order to keep up with new engineering technology.  Engineers who offer their services to the public or whose work affects life, health, or property must also be licensed by the state in which they work.  Getting a license generally requires a degree from an engineering college, at least four years of engineering work experience, and a passing grade on a state examination.  A work-study program is also a suggested part of curriculum for students wishing to become chemical engineers.
 Salary, along with education requirements, vary with the specific job in the field of chemical engineering.  Starting salary with a bachelors degree is about $42, 800 a year, while starting salary with an advanced degree is about $59,200 a year.  Experienced chemical engineers earn an average salary of about $52,600 a year , but some can earn up to $99,200 or more a year.  Benefits usually include paid holidays and vacations, health insurance, and pension plans.
 The purpose of the chemical engineering field seems pretty clear to me.  Chemical engineers work in many industries including those that produce chemicals, petroleum, and electronic products.  These products are necessary in the production of consumer goods ranging from fine textiles to automobile tires.  Chemicals are used in the processing and treatment of many of the foods we eat, much of the water we drink, and many of the clothes we wear.  Chemical engineers develop the processes and design the factories that make it possible to bring such products to consumers.
 There are many advantages and a few disadvantages to becoming a chemical engineer.  If it is a field that truly interests you and you have a strong math and science background, it is a job that promises to be very interesting with constant new challenges and problems to solve.  It offers a good salary, benefits, and many employers will pay for a t least part of their employees continued education.  However, though they are rare, injuries do occur mostly due to the danger of handling chemicals.  Also, although the typical work week for a chemical engineer is 40 hours, over time is often necessary.
 The employment outlook for chemical engineers is good.  The number of jobs is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all jobs through the year 2006, mainly due to expansion in the energy and chemical industries.  However, computer technology is improving production techniques, which will result in fewer job openings.  Much of the projected job increase will be in nonmanufacturing industries.  Job opportunities  for chemical engineers will be better in pharmaceuticals, with specialty chemical manufacturers, and in plastics materials.