The Journey of a Chemical Engineer

Jake Forster
6th Period
Emily Lewis
10/3/14

While its common to have knowledge on a variety of subjects, without looking into the
subject specifically, its almost impossible to know everything about the topic. In fact, while
someone may think they know the gist of a subject, its a real possibility that they can be
completely surprised about how much they dont know. One example of this would be me and
my understanding of engineering. While I originally thought an engineer was simply a job where
they create things, I never knew how many different types of them there were exactly and how
important they were. Actually, there are over 200 different types of engineers and in this lies the
specific type known as the chemical engineer (Types of Engineering). In over to overcome my
ignorance and to try to learn more about at least one type of the plethora of engineers, chemical
engineering will be explored and its mysteries will be unraveled.
Before getting into the details about a chemical engineer and the specifics what a life as
that type of engineer will detail, its first important to explain what exactly a chemical engineer
is. The general definition of a chemical engineers job is turning raw materials into useful,
everyday products (Tyson). What that means is that the production of many common items such
as clothing and non-natural food are available to the mass public because of them and their
studies into finding the correct way to produce them. They also work on refining already made
formulas or methods of production so that they are more efficient or easy to do. Examples of this
include finding a way to mass produce a drug or making them more affordable (What Do
Chemical Engineers Do?"). Some achievements and accomplishments done thanks to people that
are chemical engineers are increasing the amount of clean drinking water available to the general
public, the production of synthetic liquid fuel, bringing the computer chip into reality, and the

creation of plastic (Chemical Engineers in Action: Innovation at Work). As this shows, Chemical
engineers are essential into making the best available product the best possible way.
As the importance of chemical engineers has become clear, the qualifications to earn this
degree of importance should also become known. Because of the usefulness of the job to society,
many colleges and universities offer courses to obtain a bachelors degree in the subject
including California Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Stanford
University (Chemical Engineering). While the course is offered at many institutions however, its
not as easy to complete all the classes on the course as it is to start. While the classes required are
dependent upon where they are taken, on average the requirements include several chemistry,
math, and engineering courses. Its also common for them to request environmental science and
material courses (Helmenstine). If the course is similar to Princetons requirements, it should
take about 4 four years if only a bachelors degree is desired in the subject (Course
Requirements). In order to achieve a status of respect and usefulness, hard work and
perseverance must be by the individual.
After the desired degree in chemical engineering is obtained, the graduate most likely
desires to put that degree to use and find a job in the chemical engineering industry. In that
regard, they would be in luck if the status of the job market is the same as it is today since just as
many companies request chemical engineers as places to obtain the degree for it. Out of the
33,300 occupations offered in the field as of 2012, they include jobs such as piping designer,
process engineer, and concentrator manager (Chemical Engineering Jobs). For the pay
exchanged for working this job, the average income of a chemical engineer is about $94,350 a
year (Chemical Engineering - Summary). As the data as shown, the effort of becoming a
chemical engineer does pay off in the end.

Still, while knowing the statics is nice, knowing specific examples of the jobs offered is a
more direct way of connecting with the job. Some of the companies hiring include DuPont,
Goodyear, and ExxonMobil. For jobs at place such as DuPont and Goodyear, the jobs for
chemical engineers focus more on developing knew substances such as DuPonts Kevlar and
Goodyears first shatterproof polyester resin soft-drink bottle. If the company is more similar
to ExxonMobil however, the chemical engineer will be focusing not on developing new
substances, but refining already made formulas such as ExxonMobils process of reducing the
environmental impact of their companys operations (La Bella). Companies such as these are
useful into knowing what the end result of becoming a chemical engineer is and if the journey is
worth the outcome.
Now that the chemical engineering branch of engineering has been discussed, previously
unknown knowledge has now come to light. The path of a chemical engineer is one with a lot of
challenges that are not for people who easily give up, but for those who preserve, it cant be said
that the prize is not worth it. However, while it is indeed a worthwhile award, a chemical
engineer is not the job choice I would make because my real passion lies elsewhere in the field of
computer programming and its uses. I believe that even if a job has good rewards, if the person
who has it cant enjoy it, then it isnt the truly right job for them. Chemical engineering is a
useful and important occupation, but in the end, its been shown not to be for me. However, for
those who can find enjoyment in it, I feel the time spent as one is time that will be thoroughly
enjoyed.

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