Chemical engineering : Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Chemical engineer - involved in the development of industrial processes for the production of a diverse range of products, as well as in commodity and specialty chemicals. Relevant industries include oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, food and drink, plastics and toiletries.
• Product/process development scientist - works across the manufacturing industry, on products as diverse as foods, medicines, cosmetics and paints. They aim to optimise the performance of manufacturing systems and are responsible for identifying and developing new processes for product manufacture, as well as implementing process controls to ensure that quality products are manufactured in a reproducible manner.
• Petroleum engineer - involved in nearly all stages of oil and gas field evaluation, development and production. The goal of a petroleum engineer is to maximise hydrocarbon recovery at a minimum cost while maintaining a strong emphasis on reducing all associated environmental problems.
• Energy engineer - involved with the production of energy through natural resources such as the extraction of oil and gas, as well as from renewable or sustainable sources of energy such as biofuels, hydropower, wind and solar power.

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Manufacturing engineer - plans, designs, sets up, modifies, optimises and monitors a manufacturing process. They work to produce high quality goods efficiently in the most cost effective methods.
• Materials engineer - responsible for the research, specification, design and development of materials to advance technologies of many kinds. Their expertise lies in understanding the properties and behaviours of different substances, from raw materials to finished products.
• Production manager - involved with the planning, coordination and control of manufacturing processes. A production manager ensures that goods and services are produced efficiently. They ensure the correct amount is produced at the right cost and at the right level of quality.
• Quality manager - aims to ensure that the product or service an organisation provides is fit for purpose and meets both external and internal requirements, including legal compliance and customer expectations.

Other options

If you are undecided about the area of chemical engineering you want to work in, try to get an industrial placement to get a taste of what is available. This may be a placement that is part of your degree course or one you set up yourself during the summer vacation. Work experience is often available in the pharmaceutical, petrochemical and food and drink industries - check out the career section of company websites for more information.

If you are looking for relevant work experience abroad, look at the possibilities available through IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) .

Getting work experience is an invaluable way of getting first-hand experience in specialised industries, not to mention the added benefit of enhancing your CV and the ability to talk about real experience in an interview.

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.

Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.