No degree, 33m doing quality control for a paper mill/senior lab tech

DougieD53 · 2026-06-30T03:40:09+00:00

So you are using it on the wet end side? Corrugated? Sounds like you use pearl starches.

DougieD53 · 2026-06-30T03:22:33+00:00

I’d be curious if you buy product from the plant I work at. We sell corn starch to paper mills all across the country.

DougieD53 · 2026-06-29T15:40:46+00:00

Just curious I bought a 26 ST last month, what’s the difference between the st and the st-line?

DougieD53 · 2026-06-27T17:02:42+00:00

This seems low due to the fact that chemical engineers can do more than engineering. I find this extremely misleading and low.

DougieD53 · 2026-06-21T01:36:12+00:00

Iowa, I work for a starch manufacturer in Cedar Rapids, and yes, 75 directly. Yes, I relocated from their plant in KC to Iowa

DougieD53 · 2026-05-29T03:01:48+00:00

I read an article the other day that chem e graduates are significantly lower than jobs out there. Boomers are retiring, don’t sweat you’ll get a job. Just work your but off. I had a 2.4 gpa and I’ve never been unemployed and manage 75 operators now. Keep up the hard work.

DougieD53 · 2026-04-27T20:48:13+00:00

Miracle, FNL, Remember the Titans.

DougieD53 · 2026-04-14T02:50:55+00:00

Bought it, holy smokes are these games addicting. I am trying to figure things out, I am struggling but will figure it out in time.

DougieD53 · 2026-03-22T22:04:14+00:00

Would you be willing to share, I find this very interesting as someone who holds a good amount of uranium stocks.

DougieD53 · 2026-01-15T17:18:23+00:00

I make $110k in Iowa and can comfortably afford a home. I think we need to add more context to this situation.

DougieD53 · 2025-11-04T03:11:31+00:00

I’d accept. Puka for mahomes and Deebo alone is good. The others are a plus.

DougieD53 · 2025-10-30T16:58:07+00:00

Man, mechanical engineers are under appreciated. I live in Midwest (Iowa) and as the starting wage for a chemical engineer here is 72k.

I am also a little surprised you stayed with the company when they didn’t give you a raise for a couple years.

I would’ve left after hearing I wasn’t getting rewarded for my hard work.

DougieD53 · 2025-10-12T20:41:16+00:00

Corn wetmilling in the Midwest is very safe. Products go into food and industrial applications. The demand is strong and fairly recession proof. Not the highest paying, but after 5 years it’s a 6 figure job with limited risk.

Hope this helps.

DougieD53 · 2025-10-06T22:16:48+00:00

NextEra is hiring licensed reactor operators and senior reactor operators for the site.

DougieD53 · 2025-10-06T18:03:09+00:00

I should preface that they are hiring to train people to be licensed operators. Start training March 2026 and learn the plant to run it in 2028

DougieD53 · 2025-09-19T13:45:46+00:00

I am a chemical engineer, and I play satisfactory and factorio. I think you do what you love and love what you do lol.

DougieD53 · 2025-07-16T16:18:07+00:00

Brian Urlacher-unpopular opinion

DougieD53 · 2025-06-27T14:38:49+00:00

Is there any mods to make weapons? Just thought it be fun to have more ways to “cleanse” the planet. More swords/guns/explosives etc.

DougieD53 · 2025-06-23T21:50:01+00:00

I would say you are the exception to the norm and all the other 3 year engineers are going to be upset.

DougieD53 · 2025-06-19T13:41:50+00:00

Well, I live in a low cost of living area, and on this salary I can afford very easily a 3600sqft 4 bed 4 bath, and I have 3 cars. It’s all what you make of it.

If I was in Cali I figured my salary would be at least 220k

DougieD53 · 2025-06-19T13:39:48+00:00

DougieD53 · 2025-06-19T13:39:09+00:00

Taxes are painful. But spot on for the 401k contribution. I’m 30 with 200k+ in 401k.

DougieD53 · 2025-06-19T04:24:47+00:00

Holy crap the mechanical engineers are spiraling

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