r/ChemicalEngineering • u/WannabeChE • 3d ago
Career Advice What they don’t tell you in school
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!
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u/theKenji2004 2d ago
This is common sense to me. Someone who has actually been at the company and worn several different hats will no shit know more than some fresh graduate. I don’t know why so many of you inflate the degree.