Is a Chemical Engineering Degree Right for Me?

Chemical engineering is a field of engineering concerned with creating and processing chemicals. Chemical engineering also creates things, such as:

• medication
• food
• technology

Chemical engineering degrees can be tough but can also lead to rewarding careers. Keep reading to learn more about chemical engineering degrees and how to determine if a chemical engineering degree is right for you.

What Is a Chemical Engineering Degree?

Chemical engineering is focused on producing and manufacturing products through chemical processes. These programs prepare students for a variety of career paths in chemical engineering. There's often overlap with other engineering disciplines, such as:

• electrical engineering
• environmental engineering
• mechanical engineering

However, the main focus of these programs is chemical engineering.

Chemical engineering degrees are available as bachelor's degrees, which usually take four years of full-time study. They're also available as graduate degrees, including master's and doctoral degrees.

What Does a Chemical Engineering Major Study?

Chemical engineering majors must take general education courses, like English composition, and foundational courses like:

• physics
• calculus
• linear algebra

These are often completed in the first year and part of the second year. Once those basic courses are complete, students move into studying core chemical engineering principles such as:

• chemical reactions
• fluid mechanics
• heat transfer and mass transfer
• kinetics
• process analysis and process control
• thermodynamics

Often, these degrees are offered as co-ops or include internships so chemical engineering students can get hands-on experience in the field.

Why You Should Consider a Degree in Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering requires a lot of science and math coursework and can be challenging. However, there are many reasons to pursue a degree in chemical engineering, and we've outlined some of them below.

Chemical Engineering Degrees Provide a Variety of Career Options

With a chemical engineering degree, you'll have the education to work with various chemicals to create many different products. These degrees can lead to roles like that of a chemical engineer, who designs and develops manufacturing processes.

You could have the opportunity to develop new technologies or systems for processing chemicals. Or maybe you can design a new, more environmentally friendly way to turn raw materials, like oil and gas, into new materials like plastics.

Opportunity for Job Growth in the Chemical Engineering Field

Most of the time, recent graduates of a bachelor's program will qualify for entry-level chemical engineering roles. However, with work experience, certifications, or advanced degrees, you can work up to management or leadership roles. You must obtain a Professional Engineer (PE) license in most states. To do this, you must graduate from an ABET-accredited program, acquire several years of work experience, and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and PE exams.

Dual Bachelor's-to-Master's Programs Are Available

Many chemical engineering students opt to continue their education to earn a master's degree. Normally, master's degrees take an additional two years on top of the four years required for a bachelor's degree. However, some colleges and universities offer dual bachelor's-to-master's degree programs in chemical engineering. This allows students to earn both degrees in five years instead of six.

You Can Obtain In-Demand, High-Paying Roles

Many career opportunities in chemical engineering are in-demand and many offer decent salaries. This is because chemical engineers help develop products that are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for chemical engineers will increase by 8% by 2032, which is faster than the growth for most occupations. The BLS also shows that the median average salary for chemical engineers is just over six figures.

Of course, the demand and compensation will vary depending on where and who you work for. In general, chemical engineers can expect stable careers.

You'll Develop Valuable Skills

Chemical engineering programs give students an in-depth education on chemical engineering and chemical processing but also help students develop valuable skills outside their career field. For example, these programs aid students hone their problem-solving skills and teach students project management skills. These degrees also often include computer science courses. These courses are easily transferable between fields and occupations.

Job Opportunities for Chemical Engineering Degree Majors

Many people with chemical engineering degrees become chemical engineers, but what do chemical engineers do? These engineers produce chemicals and products made from those chemicals, including:

• food
• electronics
• plastics

They also design and develop manufacturing processes and ensure safety standards are met. However, even more career choices are available for chemical engineering graduates. Some other common chemical engineering careers include:

• biotechnology engineer
• chemical plant consultant
• food processing engineer
• manufacturing production engineer
• petrochemicals engineer
• pharmaceutical manufacturing engineer
• polymer manufacturing engineer
• process engineer
• quality control engineer
• regulatory affairs engineer
• research and development engineer

Some careers may require master's degrees or specific certifications.

Chemical Engineering Degree: Questions To Ask Yourself

If you're still not sure if becoming a chemical engineer is the right choice for you, there are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you decide. These include:

• Will a chemical engineering degree help me reach my career goals?
• Am I good at science and math, or will these courses be a struggle for me?
• Will I be able to pursue a master's degree or advanced certification if needed?
• Will I be able to afford the lifestyle I want with a career in chemical engineering?