• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Is it worth being a chemical engineer?

D

DXM

Senior member
Hello all, I'm in a bit of a situation as to decide whether it may be worth going through another 2-5 years of school to get a degree in engineering. It seems the job market for chemical engineers is pretty weak right now and I'm beginning to wonder if I'll be going through school only to end up jobless.

Could any chemical engineers or anyone who knows about the current job market for engineers post some advice on what my options are as a chem eng?
 
her209 : I was actually orginally studying to become a petrol engineer but thinking 20 years down the line, I'm fairly certain most if not all petrol engineers'll be out of a job and back in school to start a new career, which is the reason why I switched to chemical engineering.

DannyBoy: I actually really do want to become an engineer, but being jobless for a considerable length of time right out of school with hefty student loans to pay isn't a very comforting thought.

But thanks for the advice you two. 😀
 
Originally posted by: DXM
Hello all, I'm in a bit of a situation as to decide whether it may be worth going through another 2-5 years of school to get a degree in engineering. It seems the job market for chemical engineers is pretty weak right now and I'm beginning to wonder if I'll be going through school only to end up jobless. Could any chemical engineers or anyone who knows about the current job market for engineers post some advice on what my options are as a chem eng?
Click to expand...

Depends on what chemicals you engineer. 😛
 
Originally posted by: cheapgoose
this question coming from a dude named DXM.

does anyone else think it's funny?
Click to expand...

Why would a question about the job market for chemical engineers coming from a person named DXM be funny? 😕 DXM is an old handle and has nothing to do with cough medication. 😛
 
Originally posted by: DXM
Hello all, I'm in a bit of a situation as to decide whether it may be worth going through another 2-5 years of school to get a degree in engineering. It seems the job market for chemical engineers is pretty weak right now and I'm beginning to wonder if I'll be going through school only to end up jobless.
Click to expand...
Would you rather pursue a less fulfilling career, only to regret it later?

Also, just because the market is soft now, certainly doesn't mean it will be in 2-5 years.

Go for it. You may not get a second chance.

 
i have another questions for ya, is it really worth it being an electrical engineer. money down here (hawaii) sucks for the huge amounts of stress that i will/am going through, but then i just love learning about how things work.
 
Originally posted by: DXM
Originally posted by: cheapgoose
this question coming from a dude named DXM.

does anyone else think it's funny?
Click to expand...

Why would a question about the job market for chemical engineers coming from a person named DXM be funny? 😕 DXM is an old handle and has nothing to do with cough medication. 😛
Click to expand...

sorry, most of the chem majors I've met wanna make drugs in their tub
 
economy isn't that bad for chemical engineers, if you're flexible. seeing as you said you were originally petroleum, you should have no problem getting a job. the only chemEs that have problems getting jobs are the ones only willing to take a job in semiconductors or pharmaceuticals and in specific locations.

while the market is tougher than normal, if you're willing to move, work you way up (not with a fortune 500 company), earn less initially, you can find a job no matter what field. of course don't expect to get a 2.5 gpa and find work very easily, get a 3.0 or higher and you should be set. also try and do internships with various sectors every summer and different types of research during the school year. it broadens your view and opens your horizons.

i wouldn't do petroleum engineering, since it's not very flexible. a cheme degree can provide gateways to more industries: petroleum, chemicals, semiconductors, biotech, food, utilities, defense. basically any job which involves processing most likely with liquids and gases. solids are probably meche, but that's just parts which aren't made in the US anyway.

petroleum will be around for the next 50 years, unless some physicists finds a new ore to extract. and that will need chemes too, since you have to convert stuff. while refineries don't hire too many, they are pretty constant. once you're in the business, you will always have a job. when the economy improves, they will be begging for students, since most like "innovative" industries like semis and biotech. however, you better plan on moving outside california if you want to work in oil/refineries. think the south. texas, louisiana for gasoline possibly northeast and midwest. overseas if you like oil.

i wouldn't do chemicals, because those are having tons of trouble competing with the rest of the world. if you do like chemicals and plastics get a phd and do research.
 
It's not worth the schooling to be a Chem E. Trust me, I tried. And failed. I chose Chem E as a major because I got 100% in my Chem I and II classes in high school, and I read where they were one of the highest paying professions right out of college ($45K in '92). I flunked out, took 3 more years to graduate while I figured out what I wanted to do, and made that much out of college on an easier business degree.
 
Haha, well although Chem. E wasn't for Rob9874, that doesn't mean it might not work for you, DXM.

And right now, the job market isn't really for any engineering majors, lol, but that doesn't mean nobody should study engineering.

So I'd suggest following DannyBoy's advice in choosing a major that you are interested in. It makes it much easier when you're up at 1 am studying, lol.

 
I'm a second year chemE and i enjoy it, but its hard (it has the most credit requirements of any degree i've come across). As mentioned, it shouldnt be too hard to find a job if you're flexible. I was talking to some people at our career fair the other day and the people from merck were saying how most of their B.S. level job openings are for chemical engineers, but its hard to find good ones and they get flooded with apps from bioengineers and such, who arent quite as suitable for the job. I am also strongly considering med school after i graduate (although not immediately, i gotta get out and make a little money first) and ChemE is very good for that because most of the applicants to med school are bio and biochem kids. An engineering degree looks pretty good to med schools and they are willing to accept you with a slightly lower GPA (in the lower to mid 3s rather than upper 3s) because they recognize the degree is more difficult.
 
Something I learned about chemical engineers: they don't know anything about chemistry. Surprised me, too, but my senior chemE roommate couldn't help me with problems dealing with mole percentages and stuff like that.
 
Originally posted by: Triumph
Something I learned about chemical engineers: they don't know anything about chemistry. Surprised me, too, but my senior chemE roommate couldn't help me with problems dealing with mole percentages and stuff like that.
Click to expand...

Chemical engineers and basic chemistry 😛

No top of their trade professional ever remembers the really simple stuff.
 
Originally posted by: Lonyo
Originally posted by: Triumph
Something I learned about chemical engineers: they don't know anything about chemistry. Surprised me, too, but my senior chemE roommate couldn't help me with problems dealing with mole percentages and stuff like that.
Click to expand...

Chemical engineers and basic chemistry 😛

No top of their trade professional ever remembers the really simple stuff.
Click to expand...

My ECE roommate couldn't help me with calculus.
 
Originally posted by: Triumph
Something I learned about chemical engineers: they don't know anything about chemistry.
Click to expand...

That's what I got burnt out on. There was a point in the cirriculum where we stopped learning about chemicals, and started learning about formulas made up of Greek symbols. I know you need to know that to understand the chemical properties, but it didn't seem like Checmistry. It seemed more like math. I guess that's the engineering side of it. Anyways, wasn't for me. Just my 2¢, might be right for you.

 
Thank you all for the responses! I've decided to gut it out as a ChemE undergrad and hope for the best. Once again, thank you all for sharing your wisdom.
 
Originally posted by: Triumph
Something I learned about chemical engineers: they don't know anything about chemistry. Surprised me, too, but my senior chemE roommate couldn't help me with problems dealing with mole percentages and stuff like that.
Click to expand...

You shouldn't make blanket statements like that. It just plainly discredits you.

Just b/c your roommate is an idiot doesn't mean all Chem Engineers fall into that same pool. LOL!

---------------------------
On another note, Chem E is difficult as are all engineering degrees. Yet, Chem Engineers are very well compensated and sought after. Since most choose EE nowadays, there is also less of a glut when it comes to employability.

All of my Chem E friends have really admirable jobs. And YES, they do know chemistry.
 
Originally posted by: dr150
Originally posted by: Triumph
Something I learned about chemical engineers: they don't know anything about chemistry. Surprised me, too, but my senior chemE roommate couldn't help me with problems dealing with mole percentages and stuff like that.
Click to expand...

You shouldn't make blanket statements like that. It just plainly discredits you.

Just b/c your roommate is an idiot doesn't mean all Chem Engineers fall into that same pool. LOL!

---------------------------
On another note, Chem E is difficult as are all engineering degrees. Yet, Chem Engineers are very well compensated and sought after. Since most choose EE nowadays, there is also less of a glut when it comes to employability.

All of my Chem E friends have really admirable jobs. And YES, they do know chemistry.
Click to expand...

Most people might choose EE but they don't end up as EE 😀 I guess it depends where you go... In my undergrad most people were CompE, BME, or CS... not many pure EEs. I guess one could say that many seem to go into EE, but it's such a broad field that they don't even remotely do the same thing!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top