THE CHEMICAL ENGINEERS' RESOURCE PAGE
EMAIL ARCHIVE MESSAGE 017

Hi. I just finished my freshman year at ***** University and I decided to declare chemical engineering as my major. (Although it is traditionally a four year degree, I'm probably gonna do it in five years so I won't get overloaded with work and get too stressed out.) I've done a lot of reading about this major, and I noticed that there are a lot of different fields a ChE major can specialize in through various engineering electives.  I've done a little reading about different specializations, and I've become very interested in food processing and I've also become somewhat interested in material science, but of course I don't know what I exactly want to do.  I won't be able to take any engineering electives until my third year, but I'm trying to think ahead a little bit. Do you know how "hot" any of those fields are right now? If I did specialize in one of those fields, would it limit my job opportunities? Did you specialize in anything?  There's something else I want to ask you about. In my hometown, ********** (company name)  (which mostly makes auto parts) has a high school program where they let high-achieving students interested in engineering work there during the summer, starting after the sophomore year. I was one of the lucky ones to be chosen, so I've had an assignment there every summer since 1996. Since I've maintained a high GPA, I'm working there again this summer (my first summer as a college student). I've noticed that most of the people there are EEs or MEs, and even though I'm currently working in a department where I do ChE related activities, it seems inevitable that if I worked there permanantly that they would eventually move me to a different department and convert me to do EE and ME work. So, I'm pretty sure that I don't want to have a career there. However, I'm not sure if I should try and seek out a different company for the rest of my college career. It's very convenient being able to live at home and work in a place where I know some people. Also, the pay is good and they are offering me a scholarship (it's far from a full ride, but it is helpful nonetheless). However, I can't help but wonder what it would be like to work at a company that has a higher ratio of ChE's and ChE related activities. It's probably gonna be four more years before I get that coveted ChE degree, so for right now I want to concentrate on what I should do during the summer of 2000. As you can see, I feel like I'm at a major crossroad here. Should I stick with a company where I'm comforable socially and financially, even though it's dominated by EEs and MEs, and just wait until my last year of college to seek out another company that better suits my interests? Or, should I start seeking out different companies that would better suit my interests as soon as next year, even though I wouldn't have the financial comfort of living at home and I'll rarely be able to see my family and friends? What kind of internships did you have?  I'm sorry I've asked so many questions. I'm just a very curious person, and I want to learn as much as I can. Just so you know, I'm not looking for someone to make my decisions for me. I'm just trying to get another opinion, plus some helpful hints and information. I've read some of your answers to other people's questions and they were very informative, so I figured I might as well ask you too. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this letter, and I hope you can reply soon, if you find the time. Thanks. Bye!

1. Do you know how "hot" any of these fields are right now?
                 Food processing and pharamaceuticals are quite popular.

           2. Would specialization limit my job opportunities?
                 I seriously doubt that it would....in fact, it can only help. For example if you specialize in food processing and you're sending your resume to a food processing type job...mention that you specialized in your resume. If the job you're applying for is not in the food industry, just don't mention your specialization.
                           
3. Did you specialize in anything?
         Yes, I emphasized process design and polymer processing. But currently, I'm working in the thermal industry at Alfa Laval and I love it so just because you specialize in something, doesn't tie you to it although my first job was in the polymer industry. That experience, in turn, allowed me to gain my current position.
                           
4. Concerning your current job situation
         It's nice to be comfortable and making good money isn't it! Later in your studies, you'll be better equipped to answer this question for yourself, but if you're like me...you like to know where you're going. I'd start by asking someone at the company what sort of work they would see you doing. If it will not help you gain experience as a CHEMICAL engineer, I'd skip it. If you don't, you won't really be gaining any skills that  will help develop your career...essentially, you'll only be useful to that company. It's a difficult situation, but  you should be honest with the company that you're working for and you never know.....perhaps they could really use a chemical engineer...I just can't help but think that unless you get out and get around some chemical equipment in a plant, you'll really hurt your career development! There are alot of subtle things that you just don't get in school. I actually didn't do an internship because I couldn't get the time   away from my job that I had while I was in school (I worked in a hospital ER on the weekends taking care of insurance issues with the patients, it was a good paying job for the time)...it really hindered my job search...I got my first job offer the day after I graduated from college....I WAS LUCKY...that's why I always tell people: DO AN INTERNSHIP!