How difficult is it to get started in chemical engineering design?
Thread Content
I graduated in 2008 from a university with a degree in polymer science; the school was pretty decent – it ranked within the top 30 in the country. After that, I started working at a state-owned enterprise. During that time, I did various jobs, including working as an operator and then as a technician. I was involved in some technical improvement projects at the factory, and I also carried out calculations related to equipment calibration. In 2012, I heard about the title of Certified Chemical Engineer, and in 2013 I took the entrance exam organized by our company’s design institute for the basic qualifications; my score was fairly good – 188. In 2014, I took the exam again at the design institute to pursue a specialized degree; my scores were 140 and 84. I wanted to pass the exam to obtain the Shanghai Securities License so that I could find a job at a design firm; therefore, I learned ASPEN and CHEMCAD. Although I’m not proficient in them, I can handle the basic tasks fairly well. I had already learned AUTOCAD before; I spent another month studying it, thinking that this way I could leave this disgusting workplace full of unwritten rules and with no prospects for growth. I submitted my resume online more than 100 times. At first, I was full of confidence, thinking that I could work in engineering or piping-related tasks. But those resumes went unanswered, and I realized that my standards were too high. So I lowered my standards and applied to many companies that required design skills, as well as to positions such as drafters and assistant designers. Still, I received no responses. I made many calls, and everyone said that they don’t hire people without any design experience. Do all design firms refuse to hire newcomers? Do they not offer even an internship? Is it really that difficult to get into a design firm? For the compensation, I want 100,000 yuan, including both my salary and the cost of obtaining the certification; it shouldn’t be considered high, right? But I don’t want the hard work I’ve put into getting my certification to result in just a piece of paper. I’m looking for better opportunities for growth. I also want to obtain certifications in HVAC, power engineering, and water supply and drainage. I’m seeking a place where I can actually do meaningful work. Is it really that difficult? I’m not particularly diligent, but I’m definitely not lazy. When preparing for the certification exams, I would get up at 6 a.m. to study the relevant guidelines and go to bed at 11 p.m. I’ve worked all night on projects as well. Even now, I make sure to spend at least two hours reading every day. I’m only 29 years old, so I’m not that old after all. Thinking about this, I ask myself whether I’m capable of handling a design job. I may lack experience, but at least I can learn. My salary expectations aren’t high, but I need at least an opportunity to prove myself. Everyone who works in design firms, could you please help me? Or at least give me some advice. What are the requirements to switch into the design field? How should I prepare? And just how difficult is it? I’m afraid of nothing!
Let me give you an answer: I understand your situation. It’s good that you have certificates recognized in the industry, but currently, in the international market, employers are looking for engineers with at least a few years of design experience, preferably 5 years or more. Since you haven’t worked in a design firm even for a year, it will be very difficult for you to get in! In your case, the only way is to first establish an owner’s company (since you have experience in running a factory), and use that as a stepping stone to gain the opportunity! It’s unlikely to be possible to go straight to an engineering company! Unless you have a relative who is an official there!
OP, the overall economic situation isn’t very good at the moment, and design firms are no exception; I’m aware of several design firms that are laying off employees.
I’m in a similar situation to you: I’m one year older than you, also working at the same factory, trying to use certificates as a stepping stone to switch to a job in a design firm. I completed the basic courses in 2012, the specialized courses in 2013, and the courses related to registered power engineering in 2014. I resigned recently to focus fully on preparing for the exams in this field; I’m fairly well-prepared now, but the exam is still far away... I’ve also self-studied software like Aspen, Fluent, and Plant3D, gaining some basic knowledge. After years of hard work, all I’ve achieved is unemployment, an increase of 200 degrees in my nearsightedness, and lower back strain
The owner’s experience is incredibly similar to mine; I’m also looking for a job, and I’ve been doing so since July. The vast majority of companies aren’t hiring anyone, and even those that have job postings online either didn’t remove them in time. There are a few companies that are hiring, but they require candidates to come from design firms and to have worked there for 3 or 5 years or more – it’s extremely difficult!!
It actually has nothing to do with the original poster’s abilities; the overall environment is poor at the moment. Design firms are not hiring new employees, and many organizations don’t have any work to do – so how could they hire anyone? . .
100,000 for both the person and the documents? This is such a mess; the certification for injection molding isn’t worth anything
The overall economic situation is poor at the moment, and design institutes are under great pressure as well. After all, this is an environment where experience plays a key role; it’s necessary to improve one’s skills and seek opportunities. Sometimes, skills are more useful than certificates. There should be less complaining – that’s just how things are; with high pressures in the broader environment, everyone faces stress
However, obtaining a certification through injection is not valuable; it’s better to get a first-class construction engineer qualification
:(The design firms aren’t as impressive as you think; they’re laying off employees these days, so how would they hire new ones? Besides, the salaries are low at first, so I switched to an environmental protection company.)
The overall economy across the country continues to decline, with the petrochemical and chemical industries in a poor state. Coupled with increasingly strict environmental and safety requirements, there are very few new projects being undertaken. Moreover, there are many domestic petrochemical and chemical engineering companies and design firms, creating a situation where competition is fierce – sometimes a dozen firms compete for one project. The sluggish market means that these design firms and engineering companies struggle to make ends meet, and salary cuts and layoffs are common occurrences. Under such circumstances, it is extremely difficult to get into a design firm or engineering company without prior work experience or connections. Moreover, in such an environment, even if one joins an engineering company or a design institute, the salary level will remain relatively low during the first few years, at least three years.