What’s the most profitable career path?

[u/MistakeSea6886]

I’m a freshmen Engineering major that is taking gen Ed’s. I am thinking of switching to chemical engineering next year. I really like ChE but but want to pick a profitable career path, which is why I’m on the fence between it and Computer science. I did research and found that petroleum engineering is very profitable, and ChE can pick it pretty quickly. However with the way the world is going(more green energy), are renewable energy jobs such as nuclear power plants going to experience a boom in demand and become more profitable?

[u/EngineerNoob]

First, I'm going to answer this question as it was presented. Then, I am going to share some of my thoughts and advice.

ChE is definitely a profitable career path compare to other options out there. Petroleum engineering or a job in Oil & Gas industry is certainly profitable. However, keep in mind that also equates to something else - like more time and dedication. I clearly remember a story from when I was an undergrad from a professional who used to work in O&G. She's able to accumulate and save lots of money. However, she rarely get time to spend them because you have to either (or both) spend more time on the plant or be on the call (like waking up in the middle of the night to answer some questions or go to the plant).

Also, keep in mind that O&G typically runs in seconds (maybe minutes to some extend). Therefore, products are usually produce/make in large volumes and everything is continuous - this means that if one thing breaks everything stops, which means downtime = no earning.

In addition to that, O&G is very volatile. When the market goes down, you go along with it. This means you get layoff. It may eventually workout for you if you have tons of savings. But the point is: you are the first sacrificial lamb (first indicator) of massive layoffs in the industry.

On the other hand, you can also work in green energy like nuclear plant as a ChE. In regards to nuclear, there's not a lot of university out there anymore that offers this program. So ChE's are good substitute. Also, I can see nuclear sector as a profitable industry. However, I cannot say so for other green energy - especially startups. Most of them are trying to work of processes, that in nature, to perform reverse thermodynamics. That means that the process is possible but difficult, which means not profitable. Working in startups are good way to learn skills and be marketable, but it's no way for profit. It's best for retired individuals.

I will now share my advice. From fundamental level, try to figure out what you want to work on for the rest of your life - do you like logic and computers or do you like building stuff using principles and fundamentals of the world? From there you can start figuring out which sector or career you want to pursue. Here are some examples for CS: software developer, computer programer, web developer, software engineer, system engineering, mobile app developer, etc. Here are examples for ChE: process engineer, production engineer, project engineer, R&D, manufacturing engineer, sales engineer, nuclear engineer, etc. Honestly, I tried to pursue money at one time and I failed miserably. I'll never do that again - there's a reason why they were offer such drooling incentives. Do not get me wrong! I love money! But money is just my second reason behind better career and sanity.

I hope this helps.