Pros and Cons Of Process Engineering / Manufacturing Engineering | What It's Really Like

Eggs the Engineer
29 Apr 202109:48
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses the pros and cons of a career in process engineering. It highlights the hands-on and interactive nature of the job, which involves working on-site at chemical facilities and dealing with real-time challenges. The role is exciting and impactful, offering less mundane work with a potential for high rewards and job stability. However, it also comes with drawbacks such as the physical demands, shift work, lack of telework options, high-stress situations, and potential work-life balance issues. Despite these, the role provides valuable leadership experience and is a stepping stone for many chemical engineers, making it a sought-after position in the industry.

Takeaways
  • 🏭 Process engineering offers a hands-on, non-office based job, requiring site visits and interaction with the chemical process.
  • 💪 It can be physically tiring and not always accommodating to different disabilities, with long hours and potential for missed meals.
  • 🌙 Shift work is common in process engineering, often involving night shifts and irregular schedules.
  • 🔧 The job is not suitable for telework, as it requires a physical presence at the facility.
  • 🎢 Process engineering is exciting with daily challenges and surprises, avoiding monotony.
  • 🚨 High stakes situations are prevalent, with engineers often responsible for addressing critical issues that can result in significant financial losses.
  • 💰 The role provides job stability and often comes with higher salaries and benefits due to the company's dependency on experienced engineers.
  • 🏢 Plants are often run for decades, offering long-term employment opportunities.
  • 🌟 Engineers can directly see their impact on the company, the process, and the team, providing a sense of accomplishment.
  • 🏞️ Work-life balance can be challenging, with the need to prioritize the plant's schedule over personal life.
  • 🔝 Process engineering roles are highly valued for the leadership experience they provide, often serving as a stepping stone to management positions.
Q & A

  • What is the primary difference between process engineering and other office-based engineering jobs?

    -Process engineering is primarily hands-on and not office-based. Engineers in this field are often required to be on-site at chemical facilities or other industrial environments, physically interacting with equipment and processes, unlike many other engineering roles that may be predominantly desk-based.

  • What physical challenges might process engineers face in their work?

    -Process engineers may face physical challenges such as being on their feet for extended periods, performing tasks like data collection, scanning pipes, and turning valves. This can sometimes be tiring and not always accommodating to individuals with certain disabilities.

  • How does shift work impact process engineers?

    -Most process engineers are involved in shift work due to the 24/7 nature of chemical processes. This often involves night shifts and alternating schedules, which can be exhausting and not suitable for those uncomfortable with non-traditional working hours.

  • Is process engineering a viable option for those seeking remote work?

    -No, process engineering is not a remote work option. It requires a physical presence at the site due to the nature of the job which involves direct interaction with processes and equipment.

  • What makes process engineering exciting according to the transcript?

    -Process engineering is exciting because it is dynamic and problem-oriented. Engineers face new challenges and surprises daily, and their work has a direct impact on the operation and profitability of the plant, providing a sense of making a difference.

  • What are the potential downsides of the high-stakes nature of process engineering?

    -The high-stakes nature of process engineering can lead to stress and pressure. Engineers are often responsible for solving critical issues that can result in significant financial losses for the company, which can be overwhelming.

  • How does the manufacturing environment affect the role of process engineers?

    -In the manufacturing environment, process engineers are closely monitored and are expected to ensure smooth and efficient operations. They are also often involved in initiatives to improve processes and increase productivity, which can add pressure to their roles.

  • What is the value of institutional knowledge in process engineering?

    -Institutional knowledge is highly valued in process engineering. Experienced engineers with deep understanding of the plant and its quirks can save the company significant amounts of money by quickly addressing rare issues that arise.

  • How does process engineering contribute to job stability?

    -Process engineering can offer greater job stability due to the high cost associated with running chemical plants. These plants require significant investment and are typically not closed down frequently, providing long-term employment opportunities.

  • How does the dependency of the company on engineers affect their role?

    -The company's dependency on engineers for the successful operation of the plant can make engineers feel valued and integral to the company's success. This can lead to higher salaries, better benefits, and a greater sense of job security.

  • What challenges can process engineers face in terms of work-life balance?

    -Work-life balance can be challenging for process engineers due to the demanding nature of the job. They may need to work long hours, weekends, or be on-call to address issues at the plant, which can interfere with personal life and family commitments.

  • What makes process engineering a stepping stone for leadership roles in chemical engineering?

    -Process engineering provides a broad exposure to all aspects of chemical engineering, including safety, environmental issues, process quality, and design. The high-intensity, high-pressure environment and the responsibility for significant financial outcomes make it an unparalleled learning ground for leadership roles.

Outlines
00:00
🏭 Pros and Cons of Process Engineering

This paragraph discusses the advantages and disadvantages of a career in process engineering. The pro is the hands-on, interactive nature of the job, which involves being on-site at facilities and dealing with real-time issues, making it exciting and impactful. The con is the physically demanding and sometimes strenuous nature of the work, which can be tiring and not accommodating to all abilities or schedules. Additionally, process engineers often work in shift environments, which may not suit everyone's preferences, and the job typically doesn't allow for remote work or teleworking, which is becoming more common in other fields.

05:01
💼 Job Stability and Leadership Experience in Process Engineering

This paragraph highlights the job stability offered by process engineering roles due to the high cost and long-term investment required in chemical plants. It contrasts the stability with other engineering jobs that may have more variability. The paragraph also emphasizes the leadership experience and exposure to various aspects of chemical processes that process engineers gain, setting them up for future management roles. Despite the rewarding aspects, it acknowledges the potential struggle with work-life balance due to the demanding nature of the job and the impact on personal life.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Process Engineering
Process Engineering is a discipline within chemical engineering that focuses on the design, operation, and optimization of processes involving chemical reactions and physical transformations. In the video, the speaker discusses the pros and cons of working in this field, highlighting the hands-on nature of the job and its high-stakes, high-pressure environment.
💡Hands-On Role
A hands-on role refers to a job where an individual is directly involved in the execution of tasks, often requiring physical presence and manual work. In the context of the video, process engineering is described as a hands-on role because engineers need to be on-site, interacting with equipment and conducting physical inspections.
💡Shift Work
Shift work is a work schedule in which employees work for a certain number of hours within a day, and this schedule changes on a regular basis, often covering early morning, afternoon, and night shifts. The video explains that process engineers often work in shift schedules due to the 24-hour operation of chemical processes, which can be challenging for those not comfortable with night shifts or irregular hours.
💡High Pressure Situations
High pressure situations refer to circumstances that are demanding and stressful, often with significant consequences for failure. In the video, the speaker describes the process engineering role as involving high pressure situations where engineers must quickly resolve issues to prevent substantial financial losses for the company.
💡Telework
Telework, or remote work, is a work arrangement where employees perform their job duties from a location outside the traditional office setting. The video points out that process engineering is not typically a telework job due to the necessity of being physically present at the chemical facility or plant.
💡Exciting Job
An exciting job is one that is dynamic, full of variety, and provides a sense of novelty and challenge. The speaker emphasizes that process engineering is an exciting job because it involves constantly dealing with new problems and surprises, keeping the work from becoming mundane and providing a sense of engagement and stimulation.
💡Leadership Experience
Leadership experience refers to the skills and knowledge gained from leading teams or projects, which can include decision-making, problem-solving, and team management. In the video, it is mentioned that process engineering provides unparalleled leadership experience due to the high-stakes nature of the work and the responsibility engineers have in managing complex chemical processes.
💡Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is the equilibrium between an individual's professional responsibilities and personal life. The video discusses the challenges of maintaining work-life balance for process engineers, who may need to work long hours, weekends, or be on-call to address issues at the plant, which can interfere with personal and family commitments.
💡Job Stability
Job stability refers to the security and continuity of employment, often associated with low turnover and long-term prospects. In the context of the video, process engineering jobs offer job stability due to the significant investment in chemical plants and the need for experienced engineers with institutional knowledge, making these roles less susceptible to market fluctuations.
💡Chemical Processes
Chemical processes are a series of chemical reactions and physical operations that transform raw materials into valuable products. The video emphasizes the central role of process engineers in managing these chemical processes, ensuring their efficiency, safety, and productivity, and dealing with any issues that may arise.
💡Impact
Impact refers to the effect or influence one has on a particular situation or entity. In the video, the speaker talks about how process engineers can see their impact on the company, the team, and the chemical process they manage, providing a sense of fulfillment and purpose in their work.
Highlights

Process engineering is a favorite subject of the speaker and they create content about it.

Process engineering roles involve being on-site at chemical facilities or indoor environments, making it a hands-on and interactive job.

The role can be tiring and not always accommodating to different disabilities due to the amount of time spent on feet.

Shift work is common in process engineering, with most processes running 24 hours and new engineers expected to work shifts.

Process engineering is not a telework job, offering limited remote work opportunities.

The job is exciting with new problems and challenges every day, providing a dynamic work environment.

Process engineers face high stakes and pressure situations, which can be both exhilarating and stressful.

Manufacturing environments are closely monitored, with high levels of management oversight and pressure to maintain efficiency.

Engineers are highly valued for their problem-solving skills and the impact they have on the company's bottom line.

Experienced engineers with institutional knowledge are invaluable for troubleshooting rare and complex issues.

Job stability is high in process engineering roles due to the cost of setting up and maintaining chemical plants.

Process engineers have the opportunity to see the direct impact of their work on the company and its processes.

Work-life balance can be challenging in process engineering due to the demands of the plant's schedule and unexpected issues.

Process engineering roles provide unparalleled leadership experience and a broad exposure to various aspects of chemical engineering.

Many chemical engineers pass through process engineering roles to gain essential experience for career advancement.

The speaker encourages viewers to share their thoughts and questions in the comments section for further discussion.

Transcripts

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Process EngineeringCareer InsightsHands-On RoleShift WorkHigh PressureProblem SolvingChemical IndustryJob StabilityLeadership ExperienceWork-Life Balance