Chemical Engineering
The Science of Success

Do you use a mobile phone? Do you wear trainers? Do you 'funk up' your hair with wax or gel?

Did you know that the above products are reliant on chemical engineering? Here is something else that may surprise you - Chemical Engineers also save lives.

Chemical Engineers enable mass production of products and component parts of products that impact on all our lives and lifestyles. They develop the processes that create fuels to power industry, our cars and homes. They develop dyes and specialist fabrics for the clothes and shoes we wear. Chemical Engineers even developed the process the make microchips for mobile phones - microchips start life as grains of sand, Chemical Engineers ensure that chemicals, gas and gold are added under the right conditions and at the right time in the process to make the chip. The products of chemical engineering are all around you.

Saving Lives
Usually we think of doctors, paramedics and nurses as the people who save lives - but just one Chemical or Biochemical Engineer has the potential to save more lives than a ward of healthcare professionals.

Chemical Engineers develop pharmaceuticals, drugs and treatments that modern medicine depends upon. For example, they are currently developing the means to grow replacement body parts for transplant - including healthy bone marrow for treating conditions such as Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and Leukaemia, and advancing radiography treatments for cancer.

Real Lives
Here are some case studies that give an insight into what a career in Chemical Engineering is like.

Sushil Abraham, Lonza Biologics, New Hampshire, USA
"Biotechnology is a really fast growing sector that is making huge developments all the time. Choosing to study Biochemical Engineering was one of the best decisions I ever made - it's extremely dynamic and the job prospects are fantastic.

At the moment I'm working in the States for Lonza Biologics. I develop processes that happen in the laboratory into large-scale manufacturing. This means working out what the processes are, and what machinery will be needed to achieve the finished pharmaceutical product.

I deal with lots of people on a daily basis, everyone from scientists to suppliers, which keeps me up to date with the latest developments. I really enjoy being able to work in a team, which is just as important as being able to manage and supervise other staff.

My job is challenging and the rewards are excellent. I know that I'm contributing to society by providing badly needed drugs and treatment. How many other people get to see their project through from start to finish?"

Phil Southerden, BP Chemicals, London
"When I was at school I had no firm idea as to what I wanted to do as a career so I chose Chemical Engineering to keep my options open.

I have worked in both the UK and abroad and have constantly been faced with new development opportunities and challenges as I moved from project to project.

The highlight so far has been as Lead Process Engineer on a BP site in Indonesia, to fit the first large-scale operation of the next generation of catalyst to their existing plant, which was a great success.

My job involves travel, meeting people and gives me a huge amount of independence and responsibility."

Skills and Interests
Chemical Engineers often work as part of a team, and are required to have good social skills. They face stiff challenges that demand excellent problem solving and analytical skills to overcome, plus a dose of imagination. Chemical Engineers are also highly IT literate, as much of their work relies on using computers.

Rewards
Chemical Engineers earn, on average, more than Chartered Accountants, Chartered Chemists, Software Engineers and Architects (source: IchemE Salary Survey). In addition to the high financial rewards, Chemical Engineers are regarded as professional 'high flyers', and have the potential to gain Chartered Engineer status.

How to Become a Chemical/Biochemical Engineer
The preferred route to becoming a Chemical Engineer is by gaining a degree, which is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers. This will maximise your potential to secure a good position when you graduate and achieve Chartered status within four years. Ideally, you need to consider MEng Chemical Engineering degree programmes.

To be accepted on an accredited degree course, you will need strong A Level results in Mathematics and Chemistry, preferably with Physics, if you want to study Chemical Engineering, or Biology to study Biochemical Engineering. There are alternative routes in some cases - you should approach universities for alternatives.

On degree, many careers
Chemical Engineering is a well-respected degree that opens many career paths - HSBC is the biggest employer of Chemical Engineers, as many graduates are attracted by highly paid jobs in the city. Employers appreciate that graduates of Chemical Engineering have analytical and problem solving skills that are second to none. Careers within Chemical Engineering are equally diverse - industries you could work in include; food and drink, consultancy, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, tissue engineering and much more.

Further Information
Useful websites: www.whynotchemeng.com carries more information on Chemical Engineering and case studies of real life Chemical Engineers. It also links to the websites of all UK universities that offer accredited chemical engineering degree courses and a sample of major industrial employers.

Information packs available from:
The Institution of Chemical Engineers,

Davis Building,
165 - 189 Railway Terrace,
Rugby,
CV21 3HQ

Tel. 01788 578 214

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