Is Chemical Engineering Worth It?

Shawn Esquivel
16 Feb 202112:40
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script offers a comprehensive perspective on chemical engineering as a career, highlighting its versatility across various industries and the opportunity for diverse roles. It acknowledges the cyclical nature of some job markets within the field and the potential for work in less urban locations. The speaker, a chemical engineering graduate, shares personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance and societal impact of the work, the good compensation, and the continuous learning opportunities. Despite some challenges, the video encourages viewers to consider chemical engineering due to its critical role in solving complex problems like energy, water, and food.

Takeaways
  • 👨‍🎓 Chemical engineering offers a broad spectrum of career opportunities across various industries, such as oil and gas, mining, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and alternative energies.
  • 🌍 The job market for chemical engineers can be cyclic, particularly in industries like oil and gas, which are sensitive to global economic changes.
  • 🎓 A degree in chemical engineering is versatile, allowing for entry into many fields and can be a preferable alternative to more specialized degrees like chemistry.
  • 🔬 Chemical engineers are crucial in the design, troubleshooting, and operation of large-scale industrial processes, impacting a range of sectors from manufacturing to environmental management.
  • 📚 Internships are highly valuable for chemical engineering students to gain real-world experience and better understand their coursework.
  • 🏭 Job locations in chemical engineering can sometimes be in less urban, more rural areas, especially in fields like oil and gas, which could be a consideration for future living conditions.
  • 💡 Chemical engineering roles are diverse, ranging from research and development to process engineering and process development, offering various career paths within the field.
  • 🌱 With the growing emphasis on sustainable and renewable energy sources, chemical engineers have a critical role in developing new processes and technologies.
  • 💼 Despite the job market being potentially challenging and competitive, the field of chemical engineering offers solid financial rewards and job satisfaction.
  • 🔄 The field of chemical engineering requires continuous learning and adaptation, providing an intellectually stimulating career with opportunities for advancement in various specialties.
Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of the video?

    -The main purpose of the video is to clarify misconceptions about chemical engineering as a career option by discussing its pros and cons based on the speaker's personal experience.

  • What are some industries that chemical engineers can work in?

    -Chemical engineers can work in various industries such as pulp and paper, oil and gas, mining, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, waste water treatment, and alternative energies.

  • How does the speaker suggest staying informed about different industries and roles in chemical engineering?

    -The speaker recommends following interesting people on LinkedIn, following companies of interest, and using resources like the column for up-to-date research news in the industry.

  • What is a con of chemical engineering in terms of job market cyclicity?

    -Some chemical engineering industries have a cyclic job market, meaning they are sensitive to global economic conditions. For example, during an economic downturn, industries like oil and gas may experience layoffs.

  • What types of roles can a chemical engineer take on?

    -Chemical engineers can work in research and development, process engineering, process development, analyst roles, and consulting roles that require a strong analytical background.

  • Why does the speaker feel that a chemical engineering degree provides a broad range of opportunities?

    -A chemical engineering degree offers foundational knowledge that is valued by companies, allowing graduates to explore various industries and roles, not just those specifically related to chemical engineering.

  • What is a challenge faced by chemical engineering students in terms of portfolio development?

    -Chemical engineering students may find it difficult to showcase projects on their portfolios because it's harder to start one's own chemical engineering projects at home compared to other engineering disciplines like mechanical or electrical engineering.

  • How does the speaker describe the scale of chemical engineering?

    -The speaker describes the scale of chemical engineering as dealing with large-scale industrial processes, such as hundred-ton per day flows, which is hard to comprehend until experienced in the field.

  • What are some responsibilities and specializations a chemical engineer might have?

    -Chemical engineers can specialize in areas such as health and safety, research into new processes, design, planning and purchasing of new equipment, and monitoring production line processes.

  • How does the speaker view the future of chemical engineering in terms of job security?

    -The speaker believes that chemical engineering is unlikely to be replaced by robots anytime soon due to the importance and diversity of the work in various industries that support human needs.

  • What is the speaker's perspective on the compensation for chemical engineers?

    -The speaker views the compensation for chemical engineers as pretty good, especially in North America, where chemical engineers can earn as much as or more than most other engineers.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Chemical Engineering: Career Insights and Misconceptions

The speaker aims to clarify common misconceptions about chemical engineering as a career. They discuss their personal experience as a chemical engineer, highlighting the variety of industries chemical engineers can work in, such as natural resources, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and more. The speaker emphasizes the adaptability of a chemical engineering degree, allowing entry into various sectors. They also mention the importance of networking and staying updated with industry news, while acknowledging that job markets can be cyclic and vary by location and economic factors.

05:01
💼 Internships and Job Market in Chemical Engineering

The speaker discusses the importance of internships for chemical engineering students to gain practical experience and understand the application of their studies. They share their own experiences working in different industries and the fascination with the scale of chemical engineering processes. The video also touches on the diverse responsibilities and opportunities for specialization within the field. The speaker notes that while the job market for chemical engineers may not be growing as rapidly as some other fields, there is still demand and the work is essential and impactful to society.

10:01
🏭 Navigating the Chemical Engineering Job Landscape

The speaker provides insight into the challenges and opportunities of the chemical engineering job market. They acknowledge that while finding a job may not be easy, it is not impossible, and encourage persistence. The speaker mentions the average growth rate in the industry and the balance between job demand and supply. They share their personal satisfaction with their career and emphasize the importance of chemical engineers' work in society. The speaker concludes by encouraging viewers to gather information, form their own opinions, and consider chemical engineering as a rewarding career path.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the design, manufacturing, and operation of large-scale industrial processes. It involves various industries such as pulp and paper, oil and gas, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and more. In the video, the speaker discusses their personal experience and perspective on chemical engineering as a career, highlighting the diverse range of industries it serves and the significant impact it has on society.
💡Job Market
The job market refers to the availability of jobs and the demand for labor in a particular field. In the context of the video, the speaker discusses the cyclic nature of the job market in chemical engineering, particularly in industries like oil and gas, and how it can be affected by global economic conditions.
💡Diversity of Roles
Diversity of roles in chemical engineering refers to the variety of job positions and functions that chemical engineers can take on. The video emphasizes that chemical engineers can work in research and development, process engineering, process development, and even transition into analyst or consulting roles with their strong analytical background.
💡Foundational Knowledge
Foundational knowledge refers to the basic understanding and principles that form the basis of a field of study or profession. In the video, the speaker suggests that a chemical engineering degree provides a strong foundation that is valued by companies, even in non-engineering roles.
💡Internships
Internships are temporary work experiences that individuals undertake to gain practical knowledge and skills in their field of study. In the video, the speaker advocates for taking internships while in school, as they provide clarity on how the concepts learned in chemical engineering apply to real-world situations and help bridge the gap between theory and practice.
💡Cutting Edge
Cutting edge refers to being at the forefront of technology, innovation, or a particular field. In the context of the video, the speaker describes chemical engineering as cutting edge because it involves developing and scaling up processes that are crucial to society's needs, such as energy, water, and food production.
💡Job Responsibilities
Job responsibilities are the tasks and duties that one is expected to perform in their role. In the video, the speaker discusses the various responsibilities chemical engineers have, such as design, manufacturing, monitoring of processes, and the opportunity to specialize in areas like health and safety, research, or equipment purchasing.
💡Job Locations
Job locations refer to the geographical settings where employment opportunities are available. In the video, the speaker addresses the potential challenge of job locations in chemical engineering, noting that some positions may be in rural areas or remote locations, which might not be preferable for everyone.
💡Compensation
Compensation refers to the salary, wages, and other benefits provided to employees for their work. In the video, the speaker notes that chemical engineers generally receive good compensation, especially when compared to other engineering disciplines, and can earn as much as or more than most engineers.
💡Career Growth
Career growth refers to the potential for advancement and increased responsibility within a profession. In the video, the speaker discusses the opportunities for growth in chemical engineering, emphasizing that there is always more to learn and that even with many years of experience, engineers continue to acquire new knowledge and skills.
💡Demand and Supply
Demand and supply refer to the economic principles of how much of a product or service is sought after (demand) and how much is available (supply). In the context of the video, the speaker discusses the demand and supply of chemical engineering jobs, noting that while the market isn't growing as quickly as some other fields, there should still be enough job opportunities for graduates.
Highlights

Chemical engineers are involved in designing, manufacturing, troubleshooting, and operating large-scale industrial processes across various industries.

A chemical engineering degree provides an entry ticket into a wide range of industries, including natural resources, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors.

The speaker recommends following interesting people on LinkedIn and companies for up-to-date industry insights.

Some chemical engineering industries have a cyclic job market, influenced by global demand and economic downturns.

The emergence of alternative energies, driven by policies like the carbon tax, is creating new opportunities in the field.

Chemical engineering roles are diverse, ranging from research and development to process engineering and development.

Chemical engineers can transition into analyst and consulting roles due to their strong analytical background.

A bachelor's degree in chemical engineering is often sufficient for most jobs, unlike some other disciplines that may require further education.

Compared to other engineering fields, chemical engineering students may have fewer opportunities for hands-on projects outside of formal education.

Internships are crucial for chemical engineering students to understand the practical applications of their studies.

The scale of chemical engineering processes, such as hundred-ton per day flows, is difficult to comprehend without field experience.

Chemical engineers have many responsibilities and opportunities for growth, including health and safety, research, and equipment purchasing.

The work of chemical engineers is cutting edge and crucial to society, with less risk of being replaced by automation.

Job locations for chemical engineers may not always be in urban areas, which could be a con for those who prefer city life.

Chemical engineering salaries are generally good in North America, with potential for high earnings in lucrative industries like oil and gas.

The market for chemical engineering jobs is not growing as rapidly as some other industries, but there is still demand for skilled professionals.

The speaker expresses a personal love for their job and satisfaction with the chemical engineering career path, despite its challenges.

Chemical engineering is a good career choice for those interested in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and scaling up chemical processes.

The speaker encourages potential chemical engineers to attend events, talk to professionals, and form their own opinions about the field.

Transcripts

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