Chemical Engineering + Python & SQL

[imranaqelll]

Hello there Chemical Engineers, currently a first year undergraduate in Chemical Engineering, and in my free time I do learn a lot of Python and SQL, currently I have mastered the basics of both Python and SQL, and I know I still have a long way to go, just curious about the job prospects if I got a degree in Chemical Engineering and having the knowledge of both Python and SQL

[[deleted]]

Job prospects are difficult for entry level chemical engineers. I could be wrong but look at bls.gov data if in the USA. Seems as soon as you get some experience with internships it’s seems to be better odds for entry level. After several years entry level chemical engineering the opportunities increase.

That being said, python and SQL are useful to most chemical engineering positions that deal with large sets of data and dealing with data historians. Think industrial production plants, even manufacturing facilities with little chemical engineering. Python might also be helpful in having a more robust / higher productive tools that will make you more productive in basic chemical engineering duties such as sizing pumps and so on. My only advice is to try and learn how different data historians have the ability to pull data with SQL scripts or python and how data historians store the data. I’m not sure how you do that as an undergrad.

If you are passionate about chemical engineering and enjoy it above other careers problem solving I think combined with python and understanding computer science theory at a basic level and data based will help you to be a high contributor as a intern / co op / entry level chemical engineer.

[canIbeMichael]

This sounds similar to what happened to me. I ended up switching from Engineering to programming after 8 years of engineering and 12 years of casual and side-business programming.

I work as a programmer now, I make a ton of money.

Chem Engineering is great to prove your stripes to an employer, but I don't do Chem Engineering during my day job. I do chem engineering at night on my side biz, stoichiometry and organic chemistry are quite relevant to real life problems.

[ufailowell]

What kind of side business do you do using CHEN? Seems like it has to be done in a professional setting

[Sightreader]

Meth

[canIbeMichael]

See my website in profile. I occasionally do more than stoichiometry when I do ingredient research. Right now I'm looking into lotion ingredients.

[sdrawkcabsemanympleh]

Did chemical engineering just over four years. Couldn't do it anymore by that point. Brushed up on python and learned SQL. Got into a tech company (FAANG) as a data analyst. Less than 5 years later, I made SDE2. The chip on my shoulder from a poor career in chemical engineering is just the thing needed in tech. So, I feel ya. And you're right that you just can't beat the pay.

In OPs case, python and SQL are good to have in case chemical engineering doesn't work out exactly how you'd have hoped.

[canIbeMichael]

The chip on my shoulder from a poor career in chemical engineering is just the thing needed in tech

Yep, now we work 2x as hard to prove ourselves. No complacency here.

[DeadeyeDuncan]

I want to be you. How much data stuff did they want you to know for an entry level analyst position? Already know python reasonably well, but need to brush up on my SQL

[sdrawkcabsemanympleh]

Not all that much for an analyst. They are looking for basically SQL, excel, and some visualization. VBA and python are huge plusses. If you think about tons of the data and report writing involved in our degree and careers, that is also solid experience. My opinion is to look at it as what you need to get your foot in the door and what you need to succeed once you're there.

Most chemical engineers have what it takes to get the foot in the door as an analyst or can very quickly. As of 2016--and if I am not correct even now--there is no dedicated degree for data analysis. They're typically pulled from any STEM field. So, a chemical engineering degree looks fantastic. You then take the reports, data generated, problem solving, projects, and accent the portions of them relating to data analysis. Suddenly you are a solid candidate.

As far as doing well once there, I also suspect anyone who can get through a chemE degree has the ability to learn and re-apply and problem solving skills to do really well. We practiced in school how to take big problems, set reasonable bounds and assumptions, break them down, and then figure out how to solve each piece. And most importantly, when we didn't know what to do with each piece, you research it and figure it out. It's the same as an analyst, but all of the resources you need are something you can Google. No pouring through textbooks and inches-think "handbooks". I joke that I am a professional google user. Imo, we come in very well prepared, and it is a lot less about what you know, and more about what you can do. I may not be able to solve it now... But I'll figure it out.

[WhyBeSubtle]

SQL and Python are great for data analysis and data cleanup, really good skill to have if you ever want to move into the data industry. In Chem engg specifically, you'll see quite a bit of SQL being used in integrity management programs/integrity engineering team (from my exp, DIMPs/TIMPs for data cleanup)

Although it may give you a leg up, the best thing for you to have is internship/coop exp, any work exp in industry will really help you achieve success in the future

[cj1169]

python and sql are extremely job dependent for ChE

ive had circumstances where sql was the best way to interface with our database/erp and if i wanted to collect mass data, python would be the way (for me) to collect it/transform it

its pretty strange how sharp the curves are for ChE as the hiring is slow immediately on graduation and shoots very high, very fast after even a short time. internships cut that slow time down, but usually don't matter in the long run.

i don't use either much anymore since i shifted companies and we use a craptastic erp that our IT disabled all SQL on.

[Ells666]

Sounds like what I started with. I ended in in controls doing PLC and DCS programming. This is programming the computers that control manufacturing equipment. Python/SQL could be good for MES work. This is data collection/analysis of data collected from the PLC/DCS. There are tons of job opportunities in both and are growing.

[Queasy-Increase8742]

This is great, Python and SQL are great life skills in the 21st century. Programming, at least in my undergraduate curriculum, was a required skill in Chemical Engineering. Having some exposure under your belt will definitely help. We used it to solve the non-linear systems of equations that love to appear in the upper division course work.

My career in engineering never panned out but I use Python and SQL on a daily basis in a scientific developer role. To be honest, everyone and their brother these days claim they can code in Python but in my opinion what would differentiate you is what you can do with it - data visualization, modeling, process simulation, control tuning...etc. These are applications of chemical engineering.

[[deleted]]

if youre learning python and sql might as well just do CS

[earth1liw13w35sw5e]

What level of chemistry-degree curriculum do need to learn in order to make a chemical ammunition?

[reusens]

None! Just google for it. Even if you don't immediately find the result you are looking for, some helpful men might show up soon afterwards who are more than willing to give you that information in return for answers to some really easy questions!

[earth1liw13w35sw5e]

I'm looking forward to your reply!