My Chemical Engineering Story | Should You Take Up Chemical Engineering?
TLDRThe speaker shares their personal journey as a chemical engineering student, highlighting the appeal of the field due to its high earning potential and their enjoyment of high school chemistry. They discuss the challenges of the major, including the pressure to perform, procrastination, and the difficulty of the coursework, which led to a struggle with mental health. Despite not enjoying the subject, they acknowledge the discipline's benefits in developing analytical thinking and its wide range of career opportunities. They advise against choosing chemical engineering solely for money or an easy experience, and emphasize the importance of personal interest and consulting with God in making major decisions.
Takeaways
- 🎓 The speaker chose chemical engineering due to external influences and a general fondness for chemistry in high school.
- 💰 The perception of high earning potential in chemical engineering and a scholarship condition influenced the decision.
- 🏫 The speaker's high school education, funded by the government, required a science, engineering, or technology major.
- 🔍 Chemical engineering is distinguished from chemistry, involving the production of goods through chemical processes and problem-solving.
- 📈 The field requires a mix of math, physics, and chemistry, but not to an overwhelming extent.
- 🎓 The speaker's college experience was heavily influenced by the pressure to maintain high grades due to scholarships.
- 📚 Procrastination and difficulty with major subjects led to an average GPA, with struggles in chemical engineering specific courses.
- 🌟 Despite the challenges, the speaker values the analytical, logical, and systematic thinking developed through chemical engineering.
- 🔄 Chemical engineers are versatile and can work in a variety of industries, making the degree a good springboard for many career paths.
- 💡 The speaker advises against choosing chemical engineering solely for financial reasons, ease of study, or external pressure.
- 🚀 The decision to study chemical engineering should be aligned with personal interest, and one should consult their own path and aspirations.
Q & A
Why did the speaker choose chemical engineering?
-The speaker chose chemical engineering because they were told that chemical engineers make a lot of money and they liked the subject chemistry in high school. They also came from a science-oriented high school and had to choose a major related to science, engineering, or technology.
What is the definition of chemical engineering according to the speaker?
-Chemical engineering is the production of different goods and products through chemical processes. It involves math, physics, and chemistry, but not as hardcore as one might imagine. It is viewed by the speaker as a mix of industrial chemistry and mechanical engineering.
How does the speaker describe the difference between a chemist and a chemical engineer?
-The speaker clarifies that a chemist is not necessarily a chemical engineer and vice versa. Chemical engineering involves the design of processes and equipment to transform raw materials into valuable products, efficiency optimization, troubleshooting, and considerations of safety and the environment.
What are some of the challenges the speaker faced as a chemical engineering student?
-The speaker faced pressure to maintain high grades due to scholarships, procrastination due to the difficulty of the subject, and a fear of stressful situations. They also experienced a failure in a subject and a challenging thesis project, which contributed to a dark period in their life.
How did the speaker's mental health affect their academic performance?
-The speaker's mental health deteriorated during their chemical engineering studies, which affected their ability to perform at their best. This period included the first and only time they failed a subject in their entire academic career.
What are some pros of studying chemical engineering according to the speaker?
-Some pros include training the brain to think analytically, logically, and systematically; versatility in job prospects across various industries; and the potential for great compensation in certain roles and locations.
What are some cons of studying chemical engineering?
-Cons include the difficulty of the subject, which can be intellectually, emotionally, and physically challenging; demanding and potentially hazardous work environments; and the need for good time management and problem-solving skills.
What advice does the speaker give to those considering chemical engineering?
-The speaker advises against choosing chemical engineering if one has no affinity for math, physics, and chemistry; is only interested in it for the money; wants an easy college experience; or is pressured into it by others. They also suggest consulting with God and considering one's own interests and strengths.
What kind of jobs can chemical engineering graduates pursue?
-Chemical engineering graduates can work in a variety of industries such as oil and gas, food production, pharmaceuticals, and environmental consulting. They can also become professors, researchers, technical consultants, or move into non-traditional roles in business, supply chain management, project management, and even finance or technology sectors.
How does the speaker feel about their choice to study chemical engineering?
-The speaker admits they did not like chemical engineering and wish they had chosen a different course. However, they believe that their experiences, including the challenges, were part of God's plan for their life and taught them valuable lessons.
What is the speaker's current job related to their chemical engineering degree?
-The speaker works in an industry that commonly hires chemical engineers but their role is on the supply chain management side, which is a less traditional path for chemical engineers.
Outlines
🎓 The Journey into Chemical Engineering
The speaker shares their personal reasons for choosing chemical engineering, highlighting the influence of a scholarship requirement and a fondness for high school chemistry. They clarify what chemical engineering entails, emphasizing its difference from chemistry and its focus on the production of goods through chemical processes. The speaker also discusses the challenges of studying chemical engineering, including the pressure to maintain high grades and the tendency to procrastinate due to the subject's difficulty. They acknowledge the mental strain and the impact of their education on their problem-solving and analytical skills.
💡 Pros and Cons of Chemical Engineering
The speaker delves into the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing chemical engineering. They mention that the major develops analytical, logical, and systematic thinking, and provides a wide range of job prospects across various industries. Despite the intellectual and financial rewards, the speaker warns of the intense workload, the demanding nature of chem eng jobs, and the potential for mental and physical strain. They emphasize the importance of personal interest and passion in the field, as well as the ability to handle stress and complex problem-solving.
🛣️ Career Paths for Chemical Engineers
The speaker explores the diverse career opportunities available to chemical engineering graduates, both traditional and non-traditional. They mention roles in process plants, technical consulting, academia, and research, as well as alternative paths in business, supply chain management, and technology sectors. The speaker stresses that a chemical engineering degree offers flexibility but does not guarantee success, and that career progression often starts from the bottom. They share their personal experience, expressing regret over choosing the major but acknowledging the valuable life lessons learned through the challenges.
📚 Advice for Aspiring Chemical Engineers
The speaker offers guidance for those considering chemical engineering, advising against choosing the major solely for financial gain or due to external pressure. They emphasize the importance of a genuine interest in the subject matter and the readiness to face its challenges. The speaker also encourages seeking God's guidance in making significant life decisions and shares their belief in a higher purpose behind their experiences. They conclude with an invitation for further questions and an offer to share more advice in a follow-up video.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Chemical Engineering
💡Scholarship
💡Procrastination
💡Mental Health
💡Versatility
💡Challenge
💡Bragging Rights
💡Demanding Jobs
💡Career Paths
💡God's Faithfulness
💡Decision-Making
Highlights
The speaker chose chemical engineering due to the perception of high earnings and a fondness for high school chemistry.
The decision to study chemical engineering was influenced by attending a science-oriented high school and scholarship conditions.
Chemical engineering is defined as the production of goods through chemical processes, involving math, physics, and chemistry.
Chemical engineering is distinct from chemistry, with different roles and applications.
The speaker views chemical engineering as a mix of industrial chemistry and mechanical engineering.
Chemical engineering can involve designing processes, troubleshooting, and optimizing efficiency in manufacturing.
The speaker shares personal struggles with the pressure of maintaining grades due to scholarships and the reputation of their high school.
Procrastination and fear of difficult subjects were challenges faced during the speaker's chemical engineering studies.
The speaker's GPA was above average, but they struggled with major subjects and even failed one, affecting their mental health.
Chemical engineering is described as difficult, with a high workload that can lead to breakdowns among students.
Despite the challenges, the speaker acknowledges the benefits of a chemical engineering education, such as analytical and logical thinking.
Chemical engineers have versatile job prospects across various industries, with demand and compensation varying by location and expertise.
The speaker warns against choosing chemical engineering solely for financial reasons or an easy college experience.
The speaker reflects on their university experience, expressing that they would not choose chemical engineering if given the chance to redo their past decisions.
The speaker transitions into discussing potential careers for chemical engineering graduates, including both traditional and non-traditional paths.
The importance of aligning one's major choice with personal interests and strengths is emphasized over societal or parental expectations.
The speaker concludes by advising against choosing chemical engineering for the wrong reasons and encourages seeking guidance from faith.
Transcripts
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