If you are looking for an occupation that allows you to put your creativity and problem-solving skills to use, then becoming a chemical engineer may be the right choice. Chemical engineers work in various industries, including oil refineries, pharmaceutical companies, food processing plants and semiconductor manufacturers. They have no standard work hours; they often work overtime when deadlines need to be met, and may work nights and weekends.

Chemical engineers typically inspect equipment, monitor operations or do lab research at chemical plants. Their duties vary widely depending upon their area of expertise; however, one of the most important tasks for this occupation is mixing chemicals in large quantities for production purposes. While they must know about physical properties of substances, chemical engineers must also have a broad understanding of the principles of technology.

A bachelor’s degree in engineering is usually required for this occupation. Depending on your specialization, you may need to complete an internship or coop program that lasts one to four years. While working at an internship or coop program, you are paid a competitive wage.

Chemical engineers typically need to be licensed after obtaining a bachelor’s degree or higher education degree, which takes about four years of study beyond the high school level. Accreditation agencies are responsible for licensing chemical engineers after they have passed all necessary examinations. After becoming licensed, chemical engineers may then pursue advanced degrees to gain more experience and knowledge to advance their careers.

Process Engineer is a job where your chemical engineering knowledge is applied in the industry, and it is usually more design or lab based than process plant engineer. You may be tasked with developing new processes for chemical production, improvement of existing processes, troubleshooting and validating results from tests, making sure that equipment is working properly and the plant operates smoothly, and overseeing operations in a chemical production environment. A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering is required for this position and most employers prefer that you have several years of experience before applying. You may need to be licensed as a professional engineer (PE) or senior professional engineer if your work requires extensive knowledge of federal regulations on the environment or safety. This license is obtained through the state licensing board in each state