I’m unsure about my career choices after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering; I hope those who are more experienced can offer some advice!
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I’m in my final year of a bachelor’s program in chemical engineering, and I’ll start looking for a job in two months. I’m quite confused right now: I like working in chemical engineering design, but it’s difficult for undergraduates to get jobs at design firms. I could also choose to work in factories (based on past experiences, it’s more likely to be possible to get a job at Sinopec or CNPC, but it’s hard to say whether the conditions there will be good, as my university is part of the 985 and 211 programs, and our school has a decent reputation in the field of chemical engineering in China). The current concern is that with a low educational level, it’s unclear what the career prospects will be in a design institute; moreover, it seems that one can only work at smaller firms these days. Additionally, the salaries in such firms are said to be lower compared to those in companies like Sinopec and CNPC. Also, which is more suitable for undergraduates to develop in, a factory or a design institute? I would appreciate it if senior colleagues could share their insights! Thank you!
Design institutes are not a good choice; if you want a mundane life, then work in one. In China, working in design institutes means just getting by – very few people there manage to create anything meaningful. It’s better to start working in a state-owned enterprise first, then move to a private company, and keep learning and improving – only in this way can one lead a fulfilling life
Reply to 2# zhangchao28460: Thank you for the reply! However, I seem to have heard that it’s easier to get by in state-owned enterprises, while design institutes have a better atmosphere and offer more opportunities to learn. I’m a bit confused now; could some seniors please give me clear guidance? Thank you.
In the dry chemical industry, whether it’s involved in production, design, sales, research, or construction, the client is always the factory. Without experience working on-site in a factory, it’s difficult to carry out design work; how can one design something when they don’t even know what it looks like? I think it’s better to spend some time in a factory first, or in an engineering company, before going to a design institute. This way, one will have a clearer understanding and won’t end up designing things in isolation. State-owned enterprises are not what they used to be; if companies like Sinopec and CNPC had incompetent people working there, there would be explosions all the time. Design institutes deal with different levels of complexity compared to factories
Reply 1# jbyx From Dalian University of Technology? Looking at it from my own perspective, going to an engineering design firm is also a great option. If that doesn’t work out, I won’t regret it either; one learns a lot of things, and in most cases one is forced to keep moving forward
Reply to 4# jinlingshihua: The difference between engineering companies and design institutes isn’t very clear; it seems as though engineering companies are also a type of design entity. Many large design institutes have been transformed into engineering companies in the past. The main issue is that state-owned factories generally rely on connections in order to progress, so maybe things are better for design institutes?
Reply to 5# — Lantian — Well, I haven’t had any experience working in factories or design institutes yet, so I’m not sure how to make a judgment. The benefits offered by petrochemical factories are quite attractive, according to those who have worked there. Personally, I still hope to work in design, but the employers and the benefits available aren’t as ideal as I would like; it’s a dilemma between ideals and reality.
Reply to 7# jbyx: Being afraid of everything on all sides, what can one do? If you have one, you won’t have the other – that’s quite normal. Nowadays, larger design institutes are all engaged in engineering work
Reply to 8# — Lantian — What it teaches is that one should try more when young in order to achieve results
Hobbies – one’s own hobbies serve as the motivation for future work. Do whatever you want to do.
It’s difficult to achieve everything at once. Why worry so much about benefits before even graduating? First, think about what you can actually do.