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Chemical Engineer
Ever wondered how the everyday products you use (toilet paper, soap, shampoo, etc.) are made or how the clothes you wear get their colors (especially when cotton is white)? Do you enjoy doing experiments in Science class or doing Science projects? Do you love Math, Science, puzzles, and strategy games such as chess? If so, then maybe you would enjoy working as a Chemical Engineer.
Chemical Engineers apply the principles of Chemistry, Biology, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics to solve problems involving the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. They design processes and equipment for large-scale safe and sustainable manufacturing, plan and test methods of manufacturing products and treating by-products, and supervise production. For the most part, Chemical Engineers work in offices and/or laboratories, but they occasionally spend time at industrial plants, refineries, and other locations, where they monitor or direct operations or solve on-site problems.
The on-job duties of a Chemical Engineer include but is not limited to: developing safety procedures for those working with potentially dangerous chemicals, evaluating equipment and processes to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations, performing tests and monitoring performance of processes throughout production, and developing processes to separate components of liquids or gases or to generate electrical currents using controlled chemical processes.
Students entering Chemical Engineering Bachelor's of Science programs from high school with no previous Chemical Engineering training should expect a period 4 to 5 years to complete said program. In the US, a Professional Engineer's license (or PE) is required for those who wish to start a Chemical Engineering consulting firm. Licensure in Chemical Engineering typically follows 4 steps over a period of years: (1) earning a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering; (2) upon completion of degree, passing the 8-hour "Engineer in Training" (EIT or FE) standardized Chemical Engineering exam; (3) completing 5 years of practical training or internship with increasing responsibilities; and (4) passing the Chemical Engineering Professional Engineer's (PE) licensing exam. Most states require continuing education to maintain Chemical Engineering licensure.
The overall scope of Chemical Engineers transcends chemical manufacturing; they work in industries that produce energy, electronics, food, clothing, and paper as well as in health care, biotechnology, and business services. A Chemical Engineer must be proficient in all aspects in the manufacturing of chemicals, drugs, or other products and must understand how the manufacturing process affects the environment and the safety of workers and consumers.
Given that people will always consume products in (one form or another) and that chemistry has been used to aid humans since antiquity, there will always be a demand for Chemical Engineers for their ability to improve upon processes or to invent new processes altogether.
Job Description
Median Salary & Range
Median Salary: $92,930
Salary Range: ~$59,380 - $146,650+
College Majors & Attainment Routes
The normal routes to becoming a Chemical Engineer have been to major in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Textile Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or even Engineering Physics, for many of the concepts coincide. Some Chemical Engineering programs offer concentrations such as: Chemical, Environmental, Bioengineering, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering. Still, there are other non-engineering majors where graduates can go on to become Chemical Engineers for companies (by title): Chemistry, Materials Science, and Biochemistry.
For those who wish to become licensed, open their own Chemical Engineering consulting firm, and work directly with the public as an independent company, earning a Bachelor's Degree in one of the engineering majors and passing the Chemical Engineering PE exam can only make that a possibility.
Colleges That Provide Above Majors
Colleges and universities that have the Chemical Engineering major are: Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, Florida); Hampton University (Hampton, Virginia); Howard University (Washington, DC); North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, North Carolina); Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi); Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, Alabama); Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas); Norfolk State University (Norfolk, Virginia); Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland); Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana); Alabama A&M University (Normal, Alabama); Spelman College (Atlanta, Georgia); Lincoln University (Lincoln University, Pennsylvania); Wilberforce University (Wilberforce, Ohio); Benedict College (Columbia, South Carolina); and Bennett College (Greensboro, North Carolina).
Available Scholarships
