Have you ever considered working in the field of chemical engineering? There are several options available in the professional sphere. In this blog, we will discuss what chemical engineering is, how one can become a chemical engineer, what a typical day looks like for a chemical engineer, and how much money one may anticipate making working in the field of chemical engineering.
What exactly is the field of chemical engineering?
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that focuses on the use of chemical processes for the purpose of converting natural raw materials and intermediate chemicals into marketable end products. In the year 1904, an English engineer by the name of George E. Davis was the first person to write in his Handbook a complete review of the use of chemical engineering. The engineering disciplines that make up chemical engineering have a vast scope. Chemical engineers are in great demand in a wide range of sectors, including petrochemicals and energy in general, polymers, advanced materials, microelectronics, medicine, biotechnology, foods, paper, dyes, and fertilizers. Some of these industries include: Chemical engineering has contributed to the near-universal improvement of today's consumer goods in one way or another.
Chemical engineers are responsible for the conception and production of procedures and goods that are economic, ecologically responsible, and energy efficient in order to ensure a sustainable future. Graduates of chemical engineering programs get an education that is comprehensive in both its breadth and depth, allowing them to pursue professions not just in the process industries but also in academia, national labs, medicine, business, and the legal system. Chemical engineers have held the position of chief executive officer of some of the most successful and well-known companies in the world, including 3M, DuPont, Intel, General Electric, Union Carbide, Dow Chemical, Exxon, BASF, Gulf, and Texaco.
The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) maintains a database that may be accessed online that lists the businesses that make major hiring commitments to chemical engineers. The website Chemical Engineers in Action provides examples of the many work that may be carried out by chemical engineers.
What exactly are chemical engineers responsible for?
Manufacturing factories, research labs, and pilot plant facilities are the main places where chemical engineers find employment. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), they use the principles of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics to solve problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and a wide variety of other products. In other words, they apply the scientific disciplines.
Chemical engineers are employed in a wide variety of fields, such as the production of gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel, lubricating oil, solvents, and petrochemicals in a petroleum refinery; the production of ammonium nitrate in a fertilizer plant; or the production of shampoo or skincare lotion in a personal-care product manufacturer. The primary responsibilities of chemical engineers include the design, analysis, and fault detection and diagnosis of process systems. These systems are used in the synthesis and processing of materials and chemicals. Chemical engineers are required to have a comprehensive and quantitative grasp of the engineering principles as well as the scientific concepts that underpin the technical processes they work with. The student is better equipped to acquire the necessary information after completing the necessary coursework in material and energy balances, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, separations technologies, chemical reactor design, and process design. Used mostly by big chemical manufacturing facilities in order to maximize process efficiency. This is accomplished by increasing productivity while simultaneously decreasing costs and negative effects on the environment.
The University of Texas at Permian Basin's Chemical Engineering program equips students with the information and abilities required to compete in a variety of employment markets both locally and internationally. The energy business in West Texas is flourishing, and it is anticipated that graduates of the chemical engineering degree would find a plentiful amount of career possibilities in the local energy industry. In addition to the instruments used in other branches of engineering, chemical engineers are trained in the application of chemistry. In addition, the cost of tuition for the chemical engineering degree at UTPB is among the lowest in the state.
Why should someone major in chemical engineering?
It is anticipated that there will be a 4% increase in demand for chemical engineers between the years 2019 and 2029, which is roughly the same rate of growth as the average across all professions. According to the BLS, the demand for goods manufactured in the many different chemical manufacturing sectors is the primary factor that determines the need for the services of chemical engineers. However, as a result of the expansive knowledge that chemical engineers obtain from their education, which covers topics such as natural science, mathematics, statistics, process and product engineering, economics, and optimization, chemical engineers now have access to a wide variety of career opportunities.
What does a typical day look like for someone who works in the field of chemical engineering?
The majority of a chemical engineer's day is spent either in an office or a laboratory. They could also spend time in refineries and industrial facilities, where they oversee or control plant operations and identify onsite issues. The majority of those who major in chemical engineering work full time. Chemical engineering is most often used in large-scale manufacturing facilities, the purpose of which is to achieve the highest possible levels of both productivity and product quality while simultaneously reducing expenses. In addition to their work in the pharmaceutical industry, chemical engineers may be found in the aerospace, automotive, biomedical, electronic, environmental, medical, and military sectors, helping to create new products.
How much money can one expect to earn working as a chemical engineer?
Jobs in chemical engineering typically need candidates to possess at least a Bachelor of Science in the relevant field. In addition, many businesses call for candidates to have a Professional Engineer (PE) qualification. For advancement into managerial roles, more education, often in the form of a master's degree, is typically necessary. The majority of careers in academia and research and development need a doctoral degree in chemical engineering.
According to Income.com, the salary range for a recently graduated chemical engineer with a bachelor's degree is $53,493 to $82,127 as of July 2014. This information is current as of July 2014. The salary range for a senior engineer with a master's degree or doctorate and more than 15 years of experience is $97,687 to $144,016. The salary range for a mid-level engineer with a master's degree and five to 10 years of experience is $72,520 to $113,348. There is a trend in the engineering industry of promoting highly experienced engineers with advanced degrees to management roles, where they may make even more money.