How the Chemical Engineering Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Engineering is a complex field comprised of many disciplines of study. Engineers must possess the knowledge of complex sciences and mathematics in order to work in the field. Approximately two million people in the country are employed in the engineering field, according to the University of Delaware. This number is expected to keep growing as more complex problems arise that need solutions. Chemical engineers in particular design, develop, produce, and test new methods of food production, fuel production, air and water purification, and work indirectly with a host of other aspects of day-to-day life. It is a broad field that covers many job opportunities, as chemical engineers can work in various industries, including the environmental sector, pharmaceuticals, fuels, and electronic materials. Chemical engineering courses cover physics, mathematics, ecology, and other related topics. The in-depth knowledge of these subjects gained through completing a chemical engineering degree enables chemical engineering graduates to quickly join in the work force because they already possess the technical skills and knowledge required in the field.
Best Career Paths for Chemical Engineering Majors
Chemical engineers have a wide array of occupational possibilities. The best career paths for chemical engineers are:
- Chemical Engineer. Chemical engineers can work in nearly any industry, from the environmental sector to the food industry to biotechnology. The environmental sector is particularly booming, with more and more people turning to green companies that promise to lessen the human footprint on the planet. Chemical engineers who work with the environmental sector develop ways to recover reusable materials from waste products, thereby reducing the amount of natural resources used and trash thrown away. They also draft ways to build safe and secure storage areas for the unwanted byproducts of factory production. Another promising career path for chemical engineers is in health care. The health care industry is growing rapidly as well, and chemical engineers will rise in demand to create new medications and treatments. Chemical engineers make approximately $78,680 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Food Scientist. Food scientists are responsible for developing new methods of packaging and preserving foods to ensure food safety. Some food scientists also conduct extensive research on new food sources, ways to inject more nutritional value to existing foods, and developing alternatives for existing ingredients that may be harmful to the human body. Food scientists earn an average salary of $59,250 annually, according to the Bureau.
How to Market Your Chemical Engineering Degree
Earning a chemical engineering degree is an important step towards starting your career in many prestigious industries. However, you will also need to know how to market your degree to potential employers in order to prove to them that your education makes you an excellent candidate for the open position. The best way to market your education is to be specific about the skill sets you learned in class. For example, on your job application cover letter, specify some of the most challenging and relevant courses you took while in school and explain what you learned from it. For example, you may mention that you worked on a big research project for your thermodynamics class where you learned many aspects of how technology and thermodynamics interact. Be sure to mention all of the challenging projects you tackled and how those projects helped you hone your skills in the field. Reassuring employers that your educational background helped you develop real-world skills is the most effective way of marketing your chemical engineering degree.
