Did you spend your childhood making things explode? Were science fairs your favorite school activity? As a Chemical Engineer, you’ll spend your days mixing chemicals and designing various gaseous, liquid, and solid products. You may also design the manufacturing processes they go through. Most of the time you’ll work in a team with other engineers, creating new products or improving existing ones. You’ll use computer software, mathematical formulas, and chemical engineering principles on a daily basis.
As a Chemical Engineer, you’ll focus on creating products that are safe and easy to use. You might design the best processes for mixing, heating, or separating chemicals to create new substances. Your position could focus more on testing and verifying the safety and function of the gases and liquids you create. You’ll be required to have a deep understanding of safety codes and regulations, both for the manufacturing process and for the products created.
Engineers act as leaders on projects, so you’ll need to be able to give instructions in various forms, like technical drawings and formulas, to team members. You'll likely work with technicians and machine operators. You may oversee some work at the plant, making sure that your employees adhere to safety procedures and that the product meets quality standards at every stage of production.
Chemical engineers are required to have a Bachelor’s degree and most employers will prefer a Master’s degree or some years of previous experience. If you’ve got a good head for numbers and love chemistry, this job is perfect for you.
