Some insights on finding a job in the chemical engineering field

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Just some personal opinions~~~ 1. Compared to popular industries such as electronics, software, and finance, the chemical engineering field is indeed one with lower salaries. However, the high demand for chemicals means that students in this field have many job options and it is relatively easy for them to find employment. Especially for students from second- and third-rate schools (no intention of discrimination here). The high salaries associated with popular majors require a high level of competence from individuals; when recruiting, companies tend to favor graduates from prestigious universities and show little interest in those from ordinary institutions. In contrast, the chemical industry has a relatively high demand for frontline workers, with needs at all levels, resulting in relatively less employment pressure. If you are not satisfied with the working conditions or salary, you can look for another job after starting work and gaining a thorough understanding of the industry. 2. In a society that values competence above all else (even if some people take unethical paths, it doesn’t negate their abilities in other areas), low salaries are only relative; if you have sufficient skills—including those needed for interviews—you can earn high salaries in the chemical industry as well. Companies such as GE (General Electric), BP (British Petroleum), Applied Materials (USA), and LG Chem recruit students from our school; the salaries range from 4,000 to 7,000 or more. Note that these are all undergraduate students – it seems that in most foreign companies, the treatment offered to undergraduates is similar to that for postgraduates. 3. The chemical industry is a field where it’s relatively easy to achieve results; it’s a paradise for entrepreneurs. If you have the skills and patience, and manage to achieve fairly promising results, you can boldly consider starting your own business or partnering up to earn shares through your expertise (of course, you need to prepare first in terms of market knowledge, networks, and funds). Many chemical plants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang have similar cooperation projects with our school, and our teachers also make money from these partnerships. 4. In the chemical industry, the competitors you face are not on the same level as those in other popular industries. A large number of high-caliber talents are concentrated in industries such as finance and electronics, and many outstanding undergraduate students in chemistry are eager to pursue postgraduate studies in order to leave this field (two of my classmates gave up the opportunity to continue their studies in the same field and switched to other specialties), which further leads to a loss of talented individuals in the chemical industry. Think about it: in the chemical industry, you’re up against competitors whose standards are much lower than those in the financial industry. Shouldn’t you smile at that? If you’re suppressed even in this situation, then you can probably guess what will happen if you try other industries as well. Let’s talk about the job market for those with a degree in chemical engineering. Fine chemicals in the chemical industry – a popular post online confused it with chemical engineering, and even included it among the top 10 worst majors. This is very wrong. When looking for a job, in the large cities from south to north – Guangzhou’s **, Shanghai’s companies in the field of applied materials, Nanjing’s A.O. Smith, Beijing’s Shougang, Tianjin’s CNOOC… – such opportunities were available at school job fairs. Some people managed to get job offers; there are many good job opportunities for those with a degree in chemistry. If you can’t find the ideal job, then try your best to improve your skills (including the ability to seize opportunities). By the way, I’m only talking about undergraduate students’ job hunting; I haven’t pursued a graduate degree, so I’m not qualified to discuss job hunting for graduates. There are also some views on finding a job: 1. Try to work for more established companies. Our knowledge is never sufficient. Formal companies have well-developed training systems; even though there may be fewer training opportunities, in such companies, the excellent qualities of one’s fellow colleagues provide enough material for learning. 2. Don’t place too much emphasis on money; developing a platform is more important. How should one evaluate a development platform? My current understanding is that it mainly depends on the number of opportunities it provides to broaden one’s horizons ； Is the job content never changed? ； Will dry products have a promising future? ； Whether the job is right for you. 3. Get employed first, then choose a career. Only by entering the industry do you have the opportunity to observe it, and only then are you eligible to seek a higher salary.