My Chemical Engineering Story | Should You Take Up Chemical Engineering?

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their personal journey of choosing chemical engineering (chem eng), revealing both the pros and cons of pursuing this challenging field. They reflect on their initial reasons for choosing chem eng, which were driven by external factors like scholarship requirements and financial rewards. Despite facing intense pressure, struggles with procrastination, and mental health challenges, they acknowledge the life lessons learned along the way. The speaker emphasizes the importance of aligning one's passion with a career and offers valuable advice for future students considering chemical engineering.

Takeaways

• 😀 Choosing chemical engineering (chem eng) was initially influenced by the promise of a lucrative salary and a love for chemistry in high school, but without understanding the full scope of the field.
• 😀 Chemical engineering involves the production of goods and products through chemical processes, combining elements of industrial chemistry and mechanical engineering.
• 😀 Unlike chemists, chemical engineers design processes and equipment, optimize production, and ensure safety and environmental responsibility.
• 😀 Studying chemical engineering can be mentally challenging and may lead to stress, anxiety, and even breakdowns due to the heavy workload and pressure.
• 😀 Procrastination was a major struggle during university, impacting both academic performance and mental health, particularly during the thesis project.
• 😀 Despite challenges, chemical engineering helped develop strong analytical, logical, and systematic thinking skills, and an affinity for working with numbers.
• 😀 Graduates of chemical engineering have versatile career prospects in many industries like oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and more, and are in demand globally.
• 😀 Chemical engineering is intellectually and emotionally challenging, with a heavy workload that may affect physical and mental well-being if not managed well.
• 😀 Career paths for chemical engineers extend beyond traditional roles in production to fields like supply chain management, project management, finance, and even software engineering.
• 😀 Studying chemical engineering may not guarantee an easy or smooth path, but it offers a flexible and rewarding degree that can lead to many career options.
• 😀 It is crucial to choose chemical engineering for the right reasons: passion for math, physics, and chemistry, not just for money or external pressure, and to be aware of the hard work and challenges it entails.

Q & A

Why did the speaker initially choose chemical engineering?

The speaker initially chose chemical engineering because they were told it offered good financial prospects, and they liked chemistry in high school. At the time, they had no clear understanding of what chemical engineering actually entailed.

How did the speaker's background influence their choice of chemical engineering?

The speaker came from a science-oriented high school with a government-funded education, which required them to pursue a major related to science, engineering, or technology. This contributed to their decision to choose chemical engineering, as it seemed like an appealing option.

What is chemical engineering, according to the speaker?

Chemical engineering is the production of goods and products through chemical processes. It involves math, physics, and chemistry, but not as intensely as one might think. The speaker views chemical engineering as a blend of industrial chemistry and mechanical engineering, focusing on designing processes and equipment, optimizing manufacturing processes, and ensuring safety and environmental standards.

What are some of the benefits of studying chemical engineering, according to the speaker?

Some benefits include developing an analytical and systematic way of thinking, being exposed to challenging problems that improve critical thinking, and having versatility in career options. Chemical engineering graduates are often referred to as 'universal engineers' due to their broad skill set, making them eligible for diverse jobs in various industries.

What challenges did the speaker face as a chemical engineering student?

The speaker faced significant pressure due to maintaining scholarships, leading to a constant need to excel. They also struggled with procrastination, especially during stressful times, which affected their academic performance. The difficulty of the subject matter, particularly the combination of math, physics, and chemistry, made the journey even more challenging.

Did the speaker enjoy studying chemical engineering?

No, the speaker did not enjoy studying chemical engineering. They struggled with the stress, anxiety, and difficult coursework. They admit that they sometimes wished they had chosen a different field that would have sparked more interest and excitement.

What were the consequences of the speaker's procrastination during their studies?

Procrastination led to a lack of retention of the material studied and negatively impacted the speaker’s performance in major subjects. In the end, they failed a subject, which prevented them from graduating with honors, and contributed to a difficult mental health period.

What are the potential career paths for chemical engineering graduates?

Chemical engineering graduates can work in various industries such as oil and gas, food production, pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing, and environmental consulting. They may also pursue roles in process design, technical consulting, academia, and even finance or software engineering. Chemical engineers have a wide range of career options due to the multidisciplinary nature of the field.

What does the speaker believe is crucial for success in chemical engineering?

The speaker believes that perseverance, study habits, time management, and a strong work ethic are crucial for success in chemical engineering. They also emphasize the importance of not comparing oneself to others and trusting God's plan, particularly in the face of challenges.

What advice does the speaker give regarding choosing chemical engineering as a major?

The speaker advises against choosing chemical engineering if you have no interest in or affinity for math, physics, or chemistry, if you are solely motivated by financial gain, or if you are seeking an easy and stress-free college experience. They stress that chemical engineering requires dedication and genuine interest to succeed.