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What You Need to Know as a Chemical/Processing Engineering Graduate Student
Chemical engineers, also known as process engineers, are responsible for developing and designing the processes with the application of chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics principles that manufacture a various range of products. With considering health, safety and cost issues, chemical engineers know how to change and modify raw materials into vital everyday life products. Chemical engineers can be found in a variety of industries and could specialise in the following fields1:
- Bioprocess: pharmaceuticals and the food and drink industry
- Chemical process: fertiliser industry (pesticides and herbicides, caustic soda, glass, explosives and specialty chemicals)
- Combustion: large furnace industries (steel manufacture, power generation from coal or gas)
- Environmental: waste and water treatment, environmental regulations, bioremediation and recycling
- Minerals: big mineral industries (alumina/aluminium, steel, copper, lead and gold)
- Petrochemicals: conversion of oil and gas into plastics, synthetic rubber and similar uses
- Petroleum: the production of oil, gas and LPG from both onshore and offshore fields
- Process control: instrumentation and control systems, allowing the manufacturing process to run smoothly, safely and efficiently
- Project delivery: the construction of a process plant, changing the design into an efficient, safe operating plant
Chemical engineering is also starting to drift into new fields of modern chemical engineering, which pioneers new materials and techniques including nanotechnology, alternative energies, and biotechnology. This will help many manufacturing industries in maintaining the demand for engineering services.
What requirements you need to fulfil
If you’re looking to have a career in chemical engineering, it is academically required to have at least have a bachelor’s degree in engineering (minerals processing, chemical, material or metallurgical) and a good base for chemistry, mathematics and rural studies. A few degree subject that are considered beneficial include:
- Applied chemistry
- Biochemical/process engineering
- Biomedical engineering
- Chemistry
- Environmental engineering
- Nuclear engineering
- Polymer science/technology
Other important qualities that employers look for in candidates are:
- Analytical and problem solving skills
- Commercially aware
- Interpersonal skills
- Production and processing skills
- Strong IT skills
- Showcase willingness for teamwork
- Understand principles of engineering and mathematics
What you can expect
The median salary for bachelor graduate chemical engineer is $68,500, with the most frequent report occupations being in the professions of design, engineering, science and transport; business, human resources and market; and engineering, ICT and science technicians2. With time and experience, chemical engineering graduate students can find themselves in professions of:
- Chemical engineering (bioremediation, mining, petroleum/petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, or waste/water management)
- Chemical/process engineering (food industry or hydrocarbons)
- Environmental chemical engineering
- Biochemical engineering
- Manufacturing systems engineering
- Product/process development scientist
- Petroleum engineering etc.
Training
Representing chemical, biochemical and process engineers with offices in in Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK, The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) run training events, which includes:
- Conferences
- Short courses
- Digital training resources
- E-learning modules and courses
Many companies offer graduates internal training schemes to ensure that they are able to get the experience needed to start a career as a professional engineer. Companies could also provide structured, job-based training programs to develop your training with necessary technical training for specific projects and a mentor for supervision.
Job duties
The job duties are diverse and depend on their role and which sector they work in; if a chemical engineer were to work in the research and development sector, some of the duties would include3:
- Testing new ways to develop products in the lab
- Using computer models to find the safest and most cost-effective production methods
- Planning large-scale industrial processing
- Planning how to move lab tests into a pilot production phase
- Making methods to deal with by-products and waste materials in environmentally-friendly way
If they were to work in manufacturing sector, some of the duties would include:
- Helping to oversee the day-to-day operation of the processing plant
- Monitoring production and dealing with problems
- Working closely with quality control and health and safety managers
- Working with plant designers and engineers to design machinery and other equipment
Employment
The employment growth of this sector is expected to stay stagnant through to 2018, however, the occupation of chemical/process engineers based on state and territory showed that NSW, VIC and QLD had the highest percentage of 26.4%, 26.2% and 18.6% respectively. Reportedly in 2013, the main employing industries for chemical engineers are from the professional, scientific and technical services with 39.2%; followed by manufacturing with 25.9%; electricity, gas, water and waste services with 12.4% and the industry with 11.4%3. Chemical engineers that were employed the most in 2012 were from the following industries:
- Architectural, engineering and related services
- Basic chemical manufacturing
- Scientific research and development services
- Resin, synthetic rubber, and artificial synthetic fibres and filaments manufacturing
- Petroleum and coal products manufacturing
Working conditions
Chemical engineers are often seen working on projects with other engineers in the mechanical and electro-technical field as well as materials scientists.
The workplace of a chemical engineer ranges from offices and institutions to laboratories, depending on their role. Work hours may differ, although most work standard hours, those in processing and manufacturing could work on a seven-day shift system that could include weekends, evenings and nights.
1 University of Melbourne, Chemical Engineering Career Pathways. 2015
2 Graduate Opportunities, Chemical Engineering – Bachelor Graduates (All). 2015
3 Job Outlook, Chemical and Materials Engineering. 2015
4 Total Jobs, Chemical engineer job description. 2015
