Chemical Engineer

9

EARLY SALARY

4 - 5 L

SENIOR SALARY

14 - 18 L

ACADEMIC PRESSURE

High

JOB PRESSURE

High

From the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the cars we drive and the medicines we take, chemicals contribute significantly in improving the quality of life. The chemical industry is critical for the economic development of every country, providing products and enabling technical solutions to all sectors of the economy. Despite the economic slowdown, the Indian chemical industry will grow at a healthy rate of 13% to 15% to touch $290 billion by 2017. Chemical engineering is not just about the design and operation of chemical plants, but it also involves academic and research aspects. Other than the core chemical industries, chemical engineers find jobs in process equipment/health care equipment, design/manufacturing and R&D centres. They also find employment in management, IT, knowledge process outsourcing, and finance.

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What do they do?

If you are among the ones who find Chemistry interesting then Chemical Engineering might be the best suitable job for you. As a Chemical Engineer your responsibility goes beyond the traditional mixing of chemicals in a test tube. You will be working at a chemical plant or a chemical laboratory with a specialised team. You will have to test new ways to develop chemical products. If you are working at a chemical plant then you will have to take care of the smooth functioning of the plant. You will also be responsible for designing, installing and commissioning new production plants. 

Skills Needed

  • Interest in Physics, Cemistry, Maths (and even Biology)
  • Should enjoy working with chemicals, machinery and software tools
  • Analytical skills
  • Innovative approach 

How do I get there?

In order to become a Chemical Engineer you should take Science with Physics, Chemistry and Maths at 10+2. After this, you can join an engineering college through various entrance examinations like JEE (Advanced) and JEE (Main). 

Typical day in the life of a Chemical Engineer

A chemical engineer works in shifts at least for the first five years of his career. If one joins design or research organisations, the role will be entirely different. The average morning shift of an operations officer at an oil refinery is as follows:
 
7.45am: Check in
8am: Put on boiler suit, protective shoes, gloves and helmet. Check that all the technicians are manning the respective positions in the plant
8.15am: Meeting with the head to discuss tasks and jobs to be done. Allocate work to people in the different teams
8.45am: Have breakfast in the office
9.15am: Go for a round of the plant to ensure everything is functioning normally
10.30am: Return to office. Follow up on the tasks
12.30pm: Lunch
1pm: Go to the control room to monitor operations of the plant
2.30pm: Ensure that the work during the shift is done
3pm: Enter all tasks, both completed and continuing, in the log book
3.30pm: Make a list of operators for the next shift. Hand over charge to the officer in the evening shift. Brief him about the remaining tasks and changes made on the control panel. Change into everyday clothes
4pm: Call it a day
 

Pros & Cons about this career

<p> Innovative creation of assets You get a chance to improve the quality of life</p>
<p> Exposure to dangerous chemicals as well as high temperature and noise</p>

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