When I was in high school, science classes, especially the advanced ones, truly captivated me. Sure, some topics were challenging – mastering combustion reaction analysis wasn’t a walk in the park – but the effort required to grasp complex concepts was something I genuinely enjoyed.
As college application season approached, I knew my academic journey would likely lead me into the realms of chemistry, biology, or perhaps somewhere where these two disciplines intersected. I’d also heard whispers that an engineering degree of any kind could be a golden ticket to a fulfilling and financially rewarding career post-graduation.
These considerations steered me towards pursuing a degree in chemical engineering.
What Exactly is Chemical Engineering?
Assistant Professor Marie Heffern, a distinguished chemistry professor and recipient of the Hartwell Foundation award, is pictured in her UC Davis lab. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)
Chemical engineering is a dynamic field of engineering that skillfully blends the core principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology. It’s about designing and optimizing processes and equipment to manufacture a vast array of products, from essential chemicals and fuels to life-saving drugs, everyday foods, and countless other necessities.
Decoding the Chemical Engineer: Roles and Responsibilities
Amare Mills, an aerospace and mechanical engineering major, meticulously performs an experiment in a UC Davis chemistry lab. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)
Chemical engineers are the masterminds behind the design, development, and enhancement of processes and products across diverse industries. Their primary focus is ensuring operations are not only safe and efficient but also sustainable for the future.
Growing up, I didn’t have any personal connections with chemical engineers (or “ChemEs,” as they’re often called within the field). Honestly, I wasn’t entirely sure what they actually did. Even now, along with many of my fellow ChemE students, I’m continually discovering the incredible breadth of industries and job roles available to us.
One key takeaway I’ve learned is that the practical applications of knowledge in real-world jobs can differ significantly from the theoretical style of learning in university.
Career Pathways with a Chemical Engineering Degree
University Medalist Neeraj Senthil is deeply engaged in a lab experiment at UC Davis. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)
Let’s rewind a bit. After earning a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, graduates typically choose one of two main paths.
The first is pursuing graduate studies. This involves obtaining master’s and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering or related engineering fields like materials science, polymer science, or nuclear engineering.
The second path is entering industry. The term “industry” sometimes carries a negative connotation, conjuring images of massive, traditional oil and gas companies.
While it’s true that many chemical engineering graduates find fulfilling careers in the oil and gas sector, a significant number also venture into diverse industries, including:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Personal Care Products
- Aerospace
- Automation
- Biotechnology
- Healthcare
- Nuclear Energy
- Specialty Chemicals
- Food and Beverage Production
- Agriculture
- Water Treatment
- Private Equity
And this list barely scratches the surface. The versatility of a chemical engineering degree is truly remarkable.
Steps to Becoming a Chemical Engineer
Biochemistry major Tiffany Phillips refines her technique in ethanol precipitation as part of the UC-HBCU Initiative at UC Davis. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)
To embark on a career as a chemical engineer, the standard route is to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Certain specialized chemical engineering roles, particularly in research, academia, or highly specialized sectors, might require advanced degrees such as a master’s or doctorate.
As an undergraduate chemical engineering student, your initial two years are generally spent building a strong foundation in fundamental engineering courses like calculus, physics, and chemistry. You’ll also have the opportunity to fulfill general education requirements with courses in subjects like history, economics, or psychology.
Subsequently, your curriculum will delve into core chemical engineering subjects. These include thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and process design. These specialized courses bridge the gap between your introductory math, physics, and chemistry knowledge and the practical, hands-on applications of engineering principles.
The Rigor of Chemical Engineering Studies
Shayan Kaveh, an animal science major, demonstrates lab techniques during his UC Davis internship. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)
Whether you perceive chemical engineering as a challenging field depends on your individual strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. Your upper-level courses will explore more specialized topics, heavily relying on your proficiency in math and physics. Therefore, if you have an affinity for these subjects, chemical engineering could be an excellent academic fit.
Here are examples of the types of problems you might encounter in your coursework:
Heat Transfer Class Example: Analyze the total thermal resistance of a car windshield heater while driving at 30 mph. The car’s interior temperature is maintained at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while the exterior is 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fluid Dynamics Class Example: Determine the exit volumetric flow rate from a pipe carrying a fluid at a given velocity as it flows around a curve with a specified angle.
My personal favorite course so far has been “ECH51: Material Balances,” which I took in my sophomore year at UC Davis. Material Balances involves analyzing specific reactors and determining system properties like flow rates, temperatures, and compositions of inlet and outlet streams, given chemical makeup and reaction details.
At UC Davis, the final two quarters of your undergraduate studies are dedicated to Engineering Senior Design. This capstone project is where engineering students design and prototype a process, device, software, or product, presenting it to a panel of judges before graduation.
Examples of Senior Design projects include optimizing equipment and energy specifications for beer production or enhancing water recycling systems in pharmaceutical manufacturing to meet both environmental and health standards.
While the specific details learned in some courses might not be directly applied in your future career, the problem-solving skills you develop are invaluable. Students who pursue graduate studies are most likely to directly utilize the breadth and depth of knowledge gained during their undergraduate chemical engineering degree.
Work Environments for Chemical Engineers
Nina Hodgonson, a viticulture major interning at a winery, poses at the UC Davis winery. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)
Chemical engineers are employed across a vast spectrum of industries, including pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, energy, food processing, and environmental protection, among many others. Your specific area of specialization will largely determine your work environment.
ChemEs who pursue graduate degrees typically need to maintain a broad base of knowledge from their undergraduate studies, take advanced courses, and engage in research with a faculty advisor. Some with master’s and doctoral degrees choose careers in academia as professors. Others transition from academia to industry roles similar to those pursued by bachelor’s degree holders.
For ChemEs who choose the industry path directly after their bachelor’s degree, the workplace options are plentiful. Individual motivations, interests, and values guide them towards diverse careers. Among my Gen Z peers in chemical engineering, key career values often include work-life balance, passion for their work, and competitive compensation.
Earning Potential for Chemical Engineers
Alaysia Madison, a chemistry major from Xavier University, conducts research in the Olsen Lab at UC Davis. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)
A process engineer is responsible for overseeing an entire process, often within a manufacturing plant or production facility. They are vital in industries like oil refining, pharmaceutical production, and food manufacturing.
A research and development (R&D) engineer focuses on innovation, inventing and refining products or technologies across various sectors. These sectors include:
- Renewable Energy
- Specialty Chemicals (like industrial lubricants, paints, and coatings)
- Aerospace
- Nuclear Energy
- Biotechnology
- Agriculture
Both process and R&D engineering roles offer solid median salaries in the U.S., approximately $91,000 and $84,000 respectively. With experience, compensation typically increases, often reaching the $120,000-$140,000 range.
As a process engineer, you might not directly apply every detail learned in your undergraduate coursework, but you will heavily rely on the problem-solving skills honed during your degree to identify challenges and develop effective solutions.
A significant advantage of process or R&D engineering is the potential for a good work-life balance with relatively high salaries and typically well-defined work hours. This contrasts with some other chemical engineering career paths that may offer higher earning potential but with less predictable work hours. Often, chemical engineers who reach the highest income levels are those who develop strong business acumen alongside their technical expertise and advance into senior leadership positions.
Is Chemical Engineering a Smart Career Choice?
Food science majors Melissa Lauw and Jennifer Joo analyze teas in the Food Analysis Lab at UC Davis. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)
Ultimately, the industry versatility and strong earning potential are compelling reasons why pursuing a chemical engineering degree is a worthwhile investment.
Chemical engineering is undeniably a demanding major and career path. Success requires a solid understanding of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. It also requires a minimum of four years of dedicated study to earn a bachelor’s degree.
However, the hard work and time invested in obtaining your degree can pay off significantly. You’ll emerge with a highly sought-after skill set applicable across virtually all industries to varying degrees.
Some chemical engineering jobs offer stability and good pay, while others might be more demanding in terms of time but offer greater financial rewards. Like any degree, what you make of it is up to you. But chemical engineering stands out for providing a broad set of problem-solving skills applicable to a wide range of industries and applications.
Explore the Chemical Engineering Program at UC Davis
Olivia Westall is a third-year biochemical engineering major at UC Davis. She is passionate about innovation in genetic therapies and agriculture and serves as publicist for UC Davis’s AIChE student chapter.*
