Looking for insights from current students and professionals. With AI, new tech, and sustainability reshaping industries, what skills, tools, or focus areas would you prioritize if you were starting chemical engineering now? What do you wish you had focused on earlier to stay relevant?

I plan to do grad school, but even then I keep hearing horror stories of people not getting jobs. I’m actually terrified of not being about to get jobs and internships. I know it’s a little early to worry but it’s constantly on my mind

You will meet people that have worked at the plant you work at that started off as operators 15+ years ago that are miles and miles ahead of you in experience. They will know the process and have a good understanding of what is happening. They will know their system and won’t need to (but can) trace lines. A degree does not make you smarter but it gives you a deep understanding of the physics and science behind something explaining why. It will put you at about the same level as an operator who has worked there for 10-15 years in terms of pay, but learning never ever stops! In my opinion the experience is so much more valuable to the company, but experience and understanding why is gold!

Hi, I’m currently a junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Do you have any recommendations for resources that can help me with understanding, memorization, and practice for my chemical engineering classes? Also, what are the most effective study techniques, and how can I earn an A in Introduction to Chemical Engineering? What are the hardest courses? And does pre studying help or not?

For context, I’m a chemical engineering student currently taking organic chemistry, and my group recently performed a distillation of an alcoholic beverage (wine, ~15 mL sample). We used a small distilling flask, a vertical column, a thermometer at the head, and a condenser connected through an adaptor (the connector between the column and condenser, which I’ll call #2). Cooling water was run at a moderate rate (bottom-in, top-out), we added boiling chips, and greased all joints to prevent vapor leaks. At the start, we observed a short forerun of 2–3 drops, during which adaptor #2 became hot and the thermometer climbed to about ~70 °C. But after that, the adaptor suddenly cooled down drastically, the thermometer reading dropped, and no further ethanol distillate came over, even though the column itself stayed hot. This confused us because we expected that if the column was hot, vapors should have continued into the adaptor and condenser (with ethanol boiling around 78 °C). Could this cooling be due to premature condensation inside the column before the vapor reached the head, or does this suggest an issue with the adaptor itself? I’d appreciate any insights on why this happened and what adjustments (heat input, condenser water rate, etc.) we should try to maintain a steady ethanol distillation. (Attached is our set up)

I am a Malaysian student studying foundation now, but I am planning to go for Bachelor of Chemical Engineering at Monash University.

Can any engineers or fresh grads give me some career/academic advice? What are valuable university clubs/extra curricular activities for chemical engineers to shine on CVs? Like for law degrees it will probably be debate etc. What about online training/courses? Anything to make up for my lack of experience? Actually useful skills (not the typical communication, teamwork etc)?

Thanks in advance.

Hello I am a PLTW student in Friscoisd and I need to interview a chemical engineer for a project. I was wondering if someone on here could help me out.The interview would only take like 30 min to an hour if even that.Thanks for your help.

Hey all, this post is for anyone who uses the timeseries analytics platform, Seeq. I made an extension "SqScroll" (linked) that makes the main panel in Seeq workbench scroll-able.

Seeq lets you add series to a workbench analysis but after 7 or 8 lanes it starts to really squish everything down very narrow. Annoyingly, you can't make this section just scroll-able, so I did!

To Use: After downloading the extension, open a seeq workbench page with a bunch of sensors crammed in the main section, click the extensions button in chrome (puzzle piece in the top right), click on SqScroll then click 'Enable Scrolling' and voila!

Under the hood theres just a couple lines of javascript that find the main panel element and make its size larger then chrome handles the scroll functionality automatically. To revert just refresh the page and it will go back to normal. No weird data collection stuff - just trying to make your life a little easier!

Anything else about Seeq you wish was better?

I don’t understand: I have a flow of 40 m³/h going into the wrong tank. The reaction is exothermic (NH₄OH + HNO₃ → NH₄NO₃ + H₂O) with −51 kJ/mol. How do I calculate the evaporation flow for PSV sizing?

Someone told me the tank volume is not important can anyone explaine.

Me i will look for mass in the tank then obtain the flow by dvinding by /deltaH vap!

I'm in sales for a construction company and lately we’ve wasted so much time chasing projects that ended up being not available anymore. I’ve been told there are platforms that use project tracking or AI to filter active opportunities. Has anyone here found a tool or process that actually improves lead quality I think I've heard of building radar? Or is it just part of the game in this industry?

I am currently doing Master’s in ChemE. I previously worked as an undergrad research assistant for gas hydrate research which landed me my first job in the oil and gas industry. But, I would like to work as a process engineer in the future. What kind of research experience might help me get an internship or a job in process engineering?

I managed to get accepted to transfer from Civ eng to ChemE and MatE. I don't know which one to pick. I hated CivE because I felt forced to do it as my dad is also a civil engineer. I enjoy chemistry and math and physics (except mechanics). I also do want to create my own startup and the idea of inventing my own materials sound pretty cool to me.

Also I'm Canadian studying at the University of Toronto

I have a couple questions regarding my situation, so feel free to either follow along with my narrative or just answer individual questions if you like.

I graduated in May with an average GPA and consulting internships, but no process/manufacturing experience. The job search was really, really tough but I just landed a job and started 2 weeks ago! However, it's not an engineering position.

I'm a Bioprocessing Process Chemist. Luckily, bioprocessing is my top industry aside from food, so I feel like I'm in a good place (not working in paper when I don't wanna be there, etc). The job itself isn't bad by any stretch, but I'm doing chemist work and getting paid like a chemist (i.e. shit). So here's my slew of questions.

1. Is this a valuable experience to have? (Process Chemist). I don't do any technical work, but I get to coordinate with Controls and see the PIDs and how the plant runs. I don't want to get pigeonholed.
2. Is it ok to keep applying to jobs? There's some local jobs that just were listed this week (different companies) with actual entry level engineering positions. Also in the industries I like, notably a shit ton more pay, and actual engineering experience.
3. IF it's ok to keep applying (see question 2) should I even mention my current job. I feel uncomfortable putting 2 weeks on my list of experience but also don't want to lie? Not sure how to navigate that situation.

Hello,

Is there really a significance for tracking Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient of heat exchangers over time? Monitoring the heat exchanger outlet temperature or simple lculation for the heat duty would already be a good indicator for the fouling that happens within the exchanger. If this is the case, there is no point in calculating U and tracking it, right?

Hi all — I’m a grad student working on a case study for my Environmental Studies course where I am exploring the challenges generators face in maintaining compliance during hazardous-waste disposal.

From prior research, a few sub-tasks seem especially painful:

- Waste classification / EPA code assignment
- Form filling based on classification (profiles/LDRs, manifests)
- Compliance tracking for storage timelines
- Arranging transportation for shipping the waste

Would automation in these areas reduce your workload? Where would it help, and where would it fail?

I’m open to counterpoints as well as happy to share findings with anyone interested.. DMs are open if you prefer to share your thoughts privately.

Thank you

Hi, currently I’m working in a start up related to plastics and I’m on my initial OPT. My employer is not e verified so I will only be able to work with them till the first year. If I want to continue with them for my stem opt, they need to get e-verified.

Is getting e-verified complex process or easy one? Will it cost them to get e verified ? Anyone been in this situation before ? Need suggestions on convincing them to get e verified

I am seeking some advice after waffling on the subject of hazardous areas for a few years. I feel as though I have an adequate understanding of defining hazardous areas (C1D1, C1D2, etc). However, what has always confused me is WHEN I need to start considering this. NFPA70 basically says when an ignitable or explosive mixture can exist. But what defines the volume where this starts? Is it milliliters, a 55 gallon drum, the MAQ per building code?

Any input or guidance to the right code (for the US) would be greatly appreciated!

I recently started my PhD, I have a good background in Atomistic Simulations, ML-interatomic potentials, and basic Material Science. I have no idea about Kinetic Monte-Carlo, or autoregressive ML algorithms. My PhD project is mostly on accelerating KMC using ML but there are only few papers and researchers working on this topic. And my domain expertise is also very less. By any chance can someone motivate me with how can proceed with this situation ? If there are any researchers working on this, I am very much happy to connect with you. I am posting it here because the motivation for my project derives from a Chemical Engineering problem in Electrochemical Flow reactors. I cannot share much on this at the moment. But yeah it is so!

Hi, currently I’m working in a start up related to plastics and I’m on my initial OPT. My employer is not e verified so I will only be able to work with them till the first year. If I want to continue with them for my stem opt, they need to get e-verified.

Is getting e-verified complex process or easy one? Will it cost them to get e verified ? Anyone been in this situation before ? Need suggestions on convincing them to get e verified

Hey , I need some help on what to do. I’ve accepted an offer for a petrochemical company but recently received another offer for a super major . I really want to work at the super major.

I'm currently pursuing Masters degree in energy engineering with bachelor's in chemical Engineering. I also have an work experience of 1 year in Cryogenic Air Separation Unit. I would like to go for process design engineer roles....Is it possible to go for it with a masters degree in energy engineering...?

Putting together a multidisciplinary team; looking for hardcore chem eng as potential cofounder/founding employee. Project is in applied ml but mixed backgrounds

Must be US/Europe based, will likely be in US

Dm if interested - can share more details about the project and myself

https://youtu.be/ma1LtMBo7nI?si=qmxEpXFvVWI5RvTl

What do you think about this? Would this change your daily workflow?

Hello! I'll be taking the board exam this November. Ask ko lang po, between Karce kc-s991 and Canon F-789SGA, ano yung mas maganda for Chem Eng boards? Ano yung pros and cons po nilang dalawa in terms of duration ng shift solve, battery life, things that only canon/karce users would get, etc.? Ever since, Casio fx-570ES yung gamit ko po pero bawal na kasi siya <//3

Thanks po :))

I’m screening for a job as an "Optimization Specialist" position that involves monitoring a materials manufacturing process, troubleshooting equipment, and analyzing data for efficiency and safety (seems similar to their other job postings for "chemical engineer"). The posting says they prefer a B.S. in Chemical/Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, but it also notes that technical certifications or vocational training can substitute for a degree. (I find this odd)

As a ChemE student about to graduate, I’m wondering: would this kind of role be considered real chemical engineering experience, and would it help me advance into process engineering positions later on?