3 replies to this topic

[p_stark95]

I'm a chemical engineering undergraduate student and in about a year's time I would be exposed to the industry. Could anyone suggest a list of softwares that I should learn for better employability? Thank you in advance.

[shantanuk100]

Dear p_pstark95,

 

Here's an overall general list that would be quite useful.
Filter out some depending on the industry you are applying to.
The overall prerequisite for all these is strong fundamentals and good grades in college, because the skills and tools are not a prerequisite for employment but your grades are.

The skills will come with experience as you keep working, since even employers understand that access to those tools in college is limited. So dont worry about it. It is good if you have access, but otherwise just relax and focus on your subject studies. Here's a generic list.

 

 

1. Aspen Hysys Hydrocarbon process simulations

 

2. Aspen Plus / Honeywell Unisim / ChemCAD / Prosim Process Simulation softwares

 

3. Ansys Fluent Computation Flow Simulation Package

 

4. HTRI Heat Exchanger Suite and/or Aspen HTFS Exchanger Design and Rating (EDR)

 

5. AutoCAD Engineering simulations and if possible, then Modelling of Basic P&IDs in it.

 

6. Good knowledge of Excel Spreadsheets and Excel VBA Programming for the same. This will prove very useful in design calculations and making design spreadsheets easily

 

7. Good knowledge and familiarity with heat and mass balances, sizing of process lines, control valves, basic equipment, flange ratings, hazardous area classifications, and basic fluid flow.

 

8. Good knowledge of basic chemical engineering unit operations and chemical processes in the different industries, atleast basic familiarity.

 

 

Additional Skills that are optional but can be useful (Some might border with Chemistry) : 

 

1. Knowledge of Molecular Modelling using softwares like Gaussian / ArgusLab

 

2. Experimental Lab techniques such as analysis of UV, IR, NMR, Mass spectra and basic instrument usage

 

3. Knowledge of some programming languages like Java / C / C++ even if basic

 

 

Everyone is welcome to add more tools that they have encountered, that could be useful.

Regards,

 

Shantanu Kallakuri

Edited by shantanuk100, 28 March 2016 - 11:39 PM.

[Bobby Strain]

What you should do is focus on your studies. And make the best grades you can. Employers won't look at your software skills other than Excel, which they don't use effectively.

 

Bobby

[p_stark95]

Thank you for the help!