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I recently graduated from a top school in Canada with a bachelors of science in chemistry (not an engineering degree). I am seeking advice from students and professionals as to my next step.
I have spent my entire life entertaining the idea that I would become an engineer. I was accepted into the engineering program I wanted (mechanical) four years ago, but decided to go into science because I wasn't confident in my mathematical ability. Two years later, I was a chemistry major and I had completed all of the math courses required of chemical engineers. I worked for the better part of a year as a research assistant and decided a life of research in chemistry wasn't for me; I wanted to transfer to chemical engineering where I could work on larger scale, applied projects.
As it turns out, transferring didn't make sense. Now three years into my degree, it made more sense to finish my degree and pursue chemical engineering after graduating. Now I have reached that crossroads, and I have to decide my next step in order to pursue chemical engineering. The question is, how?
I am generally very interested in the energy industry, as well as waste water treatment. From talking to various people, mostly academics, these are my options as I see them:
1. Second Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering (ABET accredited)
2. Masters in Chemical or Materials Engineering
3. Masters in Chemistry
4. Get a job somewhere
Between options 1 and 2, I've heard different suggestions from different people. Both options will take approximately 2 years to complete; however, the undergraduate degree would cost money while any graduate degree would likely be covered by a stipend. This is a significant consideration now, but I've reasoned that any loans would be insignificant in the long run. I am debt free as of now, and I'd rather do what is best for me.
The argument for the second bachelors degree is that it is ABET accredited, and I would be able to get a P.Eng relatively painlessly. This seems like a big advantage to me, a lot of the jobs I've seen posted ask for "P.E., or ability to get within 1 year." With a masters degree, I'm afraid I would be limited in what types of jobs I could work. In favor of a second bachelors, I'm also generally interested in taking the core chemical engineering courses, and I currently feel inadequate to perform a job requiring knowledge of engineering fundamentals. Plus, I would think having degrees in both chemistry and chemical engineering would make me attractive to employers. I imagine knowledge of both fields would allow me to bridge a gap between scientists and engineers.
Of course, there is another school of thought that suggests a masters degree is always better than a bachelors degree. To me, this might be the way someone in HR thinks, but from what I can tell, a bachelors degree in engineering is at least as valuable as a masters of science. At the same time, I imagine there are plenty of jobs out there that don't require a PE, and I can see how completing a research masters would provide valuable experience.
The final option is to get a job and see where it leads me, but jobs related to chemistry at the bachelors level are generally uninteresting and low paying with little room for mobility. Moreover, I am afraid that if I leave school now, I will never go back.
These are my thoughts. As you can see, my biggest priority is the ability to get a good job. As an engineer, what is your opinion?
Thanks for your help!
Edited by matt719, 21 July 2011 - 02:24 PM.
