Myths about Chemical Engineering

• There is only field work in chemical engineering

  A misunderstanding about chemical engineering is that it predominantly involves fieldwork. This myth often discourages many students, especially women who have a passion for the subject, from pursuing a career in chemical engineering. While fieldwork is indeed a component of the profession, it is far from the only aspect.

  To illustrate this, consider the analogy of constructing a building. After completing a civil engineering degree, you wouldn't necessarily want to spend your time on-site applying cement and building walls. Instead, you would likely be more interested in designing and modeling the building, selecting construction materials, and planning the project's overall execution. The same principle applies to chemical engineering.

  After earning a degree in chemical engineering, many roles involve process design and optimization rather than hands-on site work. Positions such as process engineers, research scientists, and project managers often focus on designing and improving processes from an office or laboratory setting.

  Moreover, there are rewarding and well-compensated roles on-site, such as plant managers and safety officers. However, chemical engineering also offers substantial opportunities in research and development, which can often be conducted from the comfort of an office or even remotely.

• There is no coding required if you are a chemical engineer

  There is a common misconception among students that chemical engineering does not involve programming. As a result, some students choose chemical engineering simply to avoid coding. However, this is a significant misunderstanding. If you're considering chemical engineering, do so because you have a genuine passion for the subject and are excited about exploring it, rather than to escape programming.

  Programming is a crucial aspect of chemical engineering, as it is essential for simulating chemical reactions. In many cases, it is impractical to physically produce and test chemicals due to their high cost and potential hazards. Instead, simulations allow you to predict the outcomes of your processes and experiments. These simulations are vital for demonstrating the feasibility of your ideas to potential investors. Since chemicals and the necessary equipment are expensive, investors are unlikely to fund a project without reliable simulation results to back it up. Showing compelling simulation data can not only help secure initial funding but also attract further financial support if the results are promising.

• A career in chemical engineering is a waste, as there are no jobs

  It's important to recognize that chemical engineering is just as significant as any other field. It is incorrect to claim that computer science is the only domain with high-paying job opportunities. Chemical engineering offers a wide range of career options, and computer science can be integrated into these roles. In fact, many companies now seek individuals with expertise in both computer science and specialized fields like chemical engineering.

  Consequently, a computer science graduate or doctorate is often preferred over a chemical engineering graduate with coding skills alone. This trend has become increasingly prevalent today.

• Chemical engineering is full of reactions

  Chemistry and chemical engineering are distinct fields, each with its own career path. Chemistry is a pure science where you earn a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree, focusing on understanding and studying various chemical reactions. In contrast, chemical engineering involves earning a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree and is centered on the practical application of chemical reactions.

  While chemistry explores the nature of reactions, chemical engineering is concerned with how these reactions occur and how to design processes to produce useful products. Essentially, engineering involves applying scientific principles to design, optimize, and commercialize processes and products.