Career Options - Chemical Engineering

Career Options - Chemical Engineering

Introduction

Chemical Engineering involves the application of physical science (e.g. chemistry and physics), with mathematics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms.

A person employed in this field is called a chemical engineer. Chemical engineers find the best possible way to manufacture products. A chemical engineer translates processes developed in the lab into practical applications for the production of products such as plastics, medicines, detergents, and fuels; design plants to maximize productivity and minimize costs.

Chemical engineers find employment opportunities in almost all companies dealing with manufacture of chemicals. Their work also extends to processes in nuclear energy, materials science, food production, the development of new sources of energy, and even medicine. Apart from process and product development and design, chemical engineers also work in areas such as research, environmental studies, market analysis, data processing, sales, and management etc.

Courses & Eligibility

An individual aspiring for a career in chemical engineering can join BE/B.Tech program after his/her Plus Two Science with Physics, Chemistry, Maths. The BE/BTech program is of four years duration. Admission to B.Tech program is made generally through entrance tests.

One can also do Diploma in Chemical engineering which is of three years duration and it gives the status of a junior engineer. The candidate can join this course after completing class X.

There are many engineering schools/ colleges/universities in India including the IITs offering Diploma/ B.Tech/ME/M. Tech courses in Chemical engineering.

The focus of the BE/B.Tech programmes in Chemical Engineering is on Industrial Chemistry, Polymer Technology, Polymer Processing, Polymer Testing, Polymer Synthesis etc.

Career Prospects

Chemical engineering provides tremendous job and career opportunities to the young masses. The possibility of a chemical engineer to find job in industries include food, materials, specialty chemicals, plastics, power production, environmental control, waste management and biotechnology etc.

In India there are wide employment opportunities available for chemical engineers both in the public sector as well as the private sector. They can seek jobs in areas such as processing, operations or manufacturing, research and development, design and construction, finance and also in teaching.

Pay-Package

Chemical engineers are of great demand in today’s rapidly growing chemical industries throughout the globe. The average salary of a fresh chemical engineering graduate depends on the type of employer – government or private. The starting salary of a B.Tech holder varies somewhere between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 15,000 per month excluding other perks and allowances. The Diploma holders get stating salary in the range between Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 9,000 per month.

Working experience, qualifications, ability are important factors in determining the pay level. Those who are working in the private sector are paid more than the public sector. Senior engineers with more than five years of working experience can earn anywhere between Rs 30,000 and Rs 50,000 a month.

Institutes/Universities

These are the names of few elite institutions in India offering courses in Chemical Engineering. You can also check state-wise list of engineering colleges that may be offering courses in Chemical engineering.

* IITs
* NITs
* Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani
* College of Engineering, Andhra University, Visakapatnam
* Nirma Institute of Technology (Gujarat University)
* Vellore Engineering College, Vellore
* Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Annamalai University
* University College of Technology, Osmania University
* M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore
* University Department of Chemical Technology
* University College of Science & Technology, Calcutta University
* Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Jadavpur University
* Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University
* Assam Engineering College, Guwahati University

contributed by Mr. Girish Kumar