Becoming a Chemical Engineer

Do you want to pursue a career in chemical engineering? As a chemical engineer, you need to work in the production of chemicals and a lot of other products that involve the processing of chemicals. Chemical engineer jobs make use of the laws and theories of chemistry for building on the industrial chemical processes. Chemical engineers focus on a variety of issues such as:

• Design
• Construction
• Operation
• Marketing

The focus is to concentrate on the above qualities of the equipment which can, on a large scale, replicate the products or processes that the chemists develop. The work of a chemical engineer is to work with the industrial chemical processes for producing a large variety of goods. Chemical engineering jobs often require the help of chemical technicians.

A chemical engineer works in various industries including the chemical producing, petroleum producing, and the electronic products industry. They sell the products to other industries for use or for making other products such as tires for automobiles to textiles. Chemical engineering professionals require to process and treat the foods that we eat, the water we drink and the clothes we wear with the chemicals. They expand the processes and design factories that help bring such products to the consumers.



You can begin preparing for chemical engineer jobs by enrolling in a college or university engineering program. Choose the following combination of subjects:

• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Electrical engineering
• Complementary courses can be taken up in biology, applied materials and computer sciences

Go for the courses in liberal arts such as writing white papers or reports. English and writing courses are also required and knowledge in technical writing can also be of use to the future chemical engineer. Subscribe to the technical journals for being updated with the practical applications of chemical engineering.

A chemical engineer must have an aptitude in math and science. The patience for completing the years of engineering education is also required. A job in chemical engineering requires skills not only in chemistry and physics, but also in electrical and mechanical engineering. Specialization in a particular area like pollution control, oxidation, or plastic production is also helpful. Often, the specialized skills of a chemical engineer are reflected in their title like plastics engineers.

A bachelor's degree or higher qualification is required for training as a chemical engineer. Go for training by joining the American Institute of Chemical Engineers for staying updated with the industry and to subscribe for a membership for your resume. Attending seminars and conferences for engineering is a good way of networking within the industry and staying in touch with the current trends. This will also help you learn all about the chemical engineering jobs and the best organizations and companies that you can work for.

Seek a license if you plan to build on your work experience and for helping the public. Take the chemical engineering licensing program that is provided by your state or go for a couple of them that some states focus on. With the help of your credentials and licensing, you can seek the chemical engineer jobs of your choice.

Participation in a work study program in college helps you gain concrete experience in the field of chemical engineer jobs and this may help you gain a part time or full time work once you have graduated. You can also be helped by your college placement office. You may go for a direct application in these companies. In fact, openings for chemical engineering jobs are enlisted in:

• Professional journals
• Internet job banks
• Newspapers

Global prospects for careers in chemical engineering are estimated to escalate by 2014, the focus of job opportunities being on service industries, research and development, pharmaceuticals, plastic materials, electronics, and specialty chemicals.

The median salary for chemical engineering jobs is $76,770 a year. In fact, chemical engineering is a profession that commands some of the highest salaries and packages in the arena of engineering. Added to this is the advantage that chemical engineering jobs allow the engineer to select from a wide variety of career paths as well as jobs.

Recently, chemical engineering jobs have focused on biotechnology, developing models for eco-system behaviors, as well as designing bio reactors for plant cultures. A chemical engineer also looks at the electronics frontier based on the chemical amalgamation of micro electronic compounds.