Chemical Engineers are found in a wide range of industries from chemicals and biochemicals to energy, food and drink, pharmaceuticals and health care. They are at the forefront of tomorrow's scientific and technological development, tackling some of the world's most urgent problems. They develop and create products that modern society depends on such as food and drink, fuels, artificial fibres, pharmaceuticals, plastics and toiletries. They help to sustain our modern society by managing natural resources, recycling materials and protecting the environment. But whatever the role of the Chemical Engineer, particular attention is always paid to safety.

Some Chemical Engineers design processes and solve problems using their computing skills and specialist knowledge of reactions, separations, heat transfer, fluid flow, control and economics. Others lead teams of experts from a range of disciplines, managing installations and directing plant operations. The Chemical Engineers' general expertise is also used in management, marketing, information technology, business or financial planning.

Chemical engineers are found managing large scale processes, perhaps in a plant producing vast amounts of bulk chemicals. Equally, they are found producing small quantities of a product, such as pure, high quality vaccines.

The products of Chemical Engineering are in every shop, office, factory and home in the world. Many of the companies employing Chemical Engineers are names which are instantly recognised worldwide, such as Cadbury Schweppes, SmithKline Beecham, Proctor and Gamble, Imperial Chemical Industries, Esso and Unilever to name but a few. As well as opportunities in large multi-national companies career opportunities also exist in small and medium size businesses which often provide technical services to the larger concerns or manufacture specialist products. For the more adventurous there are opportunities to operate your own business as a consultant within a particular industry sector.

Bright people who are good communicators, motivated, able to work on their own or as a team and interested in a challenge are prime candidates to study Chemical Engineering at university. A good level of education with a strong scientific element, preferably including Maths and Chemistry, is required. Universities usually hold lists of those qualifications from other countries which they find acceptable. Standards are usually the same for all students and it is advisable therefore to contact either the International Office or the Admissions Tutor, as is appropriate (some universities may not have an International Office).

People whose qualifications are not mainly in science need not despair as it may be possible for them to advance into Chemical Engineering by taking a one year foundation course designed to equip them with the necessary basic scientific background prior to a degree course. Courses and requirements vary so it is always worth checking with the International Office or Admissions Tutor.

There are opportunities to include languages, management and other more specific options such as Environmental Technology, Brewing and Distilling Technology, Energy Resource Engineering and Mineral Engineering as part of a Chemical Engineering degree.

Completion of a degree accredited by the IChemE and four or five years industrial experience and training (possibly through a formal training program) can lead to Chartered membership of the Institution of Chemical Engineers which is the professional benchmark for successful Chemical Engineers.

Such a degree also provides the skills that open doors to the careers of the 21st century. There has been a steady growth in the worldwide demand for Chemical Engineers. Chemical Engineers have the multi-disciplinary skills that keep their options open and they are valued and well rewarded in many kinds of employment. But no matter where or how Chemical Engineers are employed there is always plenty of scope for ambition. The sky is the limit..

Author:

Lesley Gerbrandy, Institution of Chemical Engineers

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