Video Transcript

The chemical engineer,wearing trademark white lab coatand goggles,pouring strange liquids frombeaker to flask,is an image straight out ofscience fiction.However, the reality is thatchemical engineersare an essential part of 21st centurymanufacturing-designing processesfor the production and use ofchemicals, fuels, food, drugs, and more.The ultimate tinkerers,these engineers continually conductresearch to develop new ways toseparate components of liquids and gases,or to generate electrical currentsusing chemistry.They must use not only theirscience and math skills,but also creative problem-solvingand troubleshooting,especially when designsdon't work the first time.Chemical engineers design equipmentto produce everything fromtires to asphalt.Their teammates are the techniciansand mechanics who put designsinto practice.They work in offices and labsat industrial plants,and at coal or oil refineriesto oversee operations.Some engineers travel extensivelyto oversee their designs onsite;improving safety, productivity,and arranging manufacturing operations.These engineers must havea bachelor's degree in chemical engineering.Employers value graduateswith practical experience,such as internshipsand cooperative engineering programs.A Professional Engineering licensemay increase advancement possibilities.A graduate degree is neededfor teaching or to lead researchand development.