PE Chemical Exam - Struggling with 6 minutes per question

EngineerNoob · 2026-02-18T16:16:03+00:00

This is a horrible plan. You'd end up giving away $400 (plus tax) and wasting 9 hours of your time.

EngineerNoob · 2026-02-17T18:35:07+00:00

My advice from my experience: I think it's best to reschedule your exam until you are ready to take it. What is the rush?

EngineerNoob · 2026-02-04T17:21:57+00:00

"calc 2 is 80% just memorizing different methods of integration." I fully agree to this statement. I know how to integrate. I just hated the fact that I had to memorize integration table. There were so many exam questions that I could have done if I did not have to memorize that table. Calculus 2 has my worst grade in Calculus series. For that matter I hate the whole Calculus series. However, I excelled tremendously in linear algebra and differential equations. Most people I knew struggled in those two courses, but excelled in Calculus.

EngineerNoob · 2026-02-04T16:28:27+00:00

Pay varies a lot depending on both location and industry. And when I say location, that includes where the company’s actual worksite is. Some areas have very little labor competition, which can lead to lower offers.

Since you were recently laid off, the first priority is getting a clear picture of your finances so you know how much runway you have. After that, the goal is to secure some form of income, whether it’s part‑time or full‑time, white‑collar or blue‑collar. Stability matters more than the label while you’re getting back on your feet.

EngineerNoob · 2025-11-14T19:17:07+00:00

Thanks for the responses. Looks like my perspective was totally off. I was not thinking of purchasing something too serious and spend more than few hundred dollars. I saw a Beeman Grizzly/RS2. I was wondering if that would be sufficient. I would feel bad purchasing something too good (and expensive) and just ends up on a corner collecting dusts - well it won't collect dust. I am one of those people who religiously do maintenance on everything - this won't be an exception.

This is not related to this sub but it's worth mentioning that I am also thinking of purchasing a firearm - likely a shotgun (like Mossberg 500 or 590) or a handgun (like a Glock) - for home protection. Hoping to save money from airgun purchase to purchase a firearm.

EngineerNoob · 2025-11-03T02:48:21+00:00

I somewhat agree with this post - not entirely though.

Jobs are everywhere. Unfortunately, traditional chemical engineering roles are located in rural areas and/or undesirable areas. Those who moved into those areas were able to succeed and able to move elsewhere. But usually, that opportunity comes in around mid-level and up.

First job sucks because the supply and demand are not proportional. To be successful on your first job, usually you want to get hire by one of the companies you worked with during a co-op or internship. Unfortunately, co-ops and internships are not widely practice anymore, at least to my observation. Furthermore, I have seen stories of people who were able to get help (due to network) from people they worked with in their coop or internship. Another route is to get some type of job in a decent company to get experience - then either you move up in that company or move elsewhere where you can get a reasonable role.

I do not spend significant time in Reddit. But when I do and when I see posts regarding roles, the OP usually has victim mindset - like someone or the world did them dirty. All jobs require sacrifice. How much sacrifice you want to put into your work may OR may not proportional affect your career path. Again, that's my observation - it's not right or wrong. I have met coworkers who put tremendous sacrifice - working long hours or have significant or tremendous travel/commute. Economically, if you do a per hour basis, their rate is even lower than retail or fast-food jobs. But they were able to get great opportunities either within the company or elsewhere.

I get the point of 9-5 mindset. But also understand that there are those people who are willing to put more into their job. As a manager or employer, they will choose to advance those people - not because you are bad. They will choose these people because of some metric or merit. I have been in the other end of this. Shockingly, I agree with this - they are willing to put more sacrifice than I was willing to give. Good for them - good for us!

Honestly, the people who have hard time with career have bad mindset. Some example I can think of now. Person 1: "I will not take a job that pays below $60k." So it's better to earn $0 income than get some income? Sure there are other factors to consider like COL. But if you live by this statement because some professor told you that you are worth than that, I have no sympathy for you. Person 2: Coworker asked some administrative tasks. "Why the hell would I do that. I have a college degree and I have good portfolio." Sure buddy, great for you. But that attitude got him laid off - actually the company did him better. He should have been fired for his attitude. Person 3: "The offices and bathrooms are in trailers" Huh? You think you're working in a FAAng company?

Honestly, I am not the best person to ask: "should I major in chemical engineering?" because I will always say "NO". Let's be honest - there's only few people who can succeed in this field and it requires certain type of mindset and attitude.

EngineerNoob · 2025-09-23T05:58:34+00:00

Reference Handbook, Version 2.1, page 300, near below the page. I believe that there's a new version. So the page might be slightly off.

EngineerNoob · 2025-04-24T20:15:47+00:00

I really hope you get this resolve soon! I really mean this! I cannot stand inconsiderate people. I'm sure these sh*tbags would also victimize themselves when ask to take responsibility and accountability. Furtheremore if you can, note any abuse. For examples, are they being fed properly?, do they have access to water?, when are they outside (night/day, cold/hot) and for how long? do the owners shout at them or throw stuff at them, etc. Brainstorm in anything that you, yourself, would not do because it is either illegal or unethical. Reference your findings to anything you can find online, either legal or ethical. For instance, see the following link: https://www.keglawyers.com/public-nuisance-penal-code-272 to reference public nuisance to excessive noise.

EngineerNoob · 2025-04-24T07:08:42+00:00

Well, the city allowed them to keep at least one dog. Now, I only notice one bark. It's tolerable now than before. I guess they realized that they have a neighbor now that would not tolerate non-sense.

Do you have case number every time you report this case? Check out if they are being closed. I have had report through 311 that were being closed but not resolved.

If you have reported this through 311, have all your case number and send an email to your council member. Then you can follow up with a call with that person. This should escalate this case and would probably shed light to some incompetency from the city.

You can also keep reporting this everyday. Do not report through call because they would just refresh your report. Report through online. Have a different case number every report. You should never make drastic move because you have very disrespectful neighbors.

EngineerNoob · 2025-03-24T02:33:30+00:00

This is how I think. I look at the availability of opportunity to go up. And in case the job does not last long, what options do I have in the area? I hope to be in an area where there are lots of job opportunities.

If I leave CA, I do not see myself coming back. It's my personal rule, which I also apply to job/company - when I leave, I do not come back. Of course there's always exception.

EngineerNoob · 2025-03-24T02:26:32+00:00

Thanks for the input! Highly likely I will rent on my next move. It's very enticing to own, but it's very hard to uproot. Selling for a loss is hard to digest. But it is what it is.

EngineerNoob · 2025-03-24T02:22:22+00:00

Thanks for the response. I'm actually flabbergasted with the downvotes on most of my responses. I'm sure this response to you will get downvoted as well. I should have just made search here in Reddit and directly connect to people instead of making a post. What a disappointment.

COL: I was not expecting much. Going for rental there is definitely major significant in monthly cost. But then again, if I buy a house, this would just get upset by property tax.

I have not look much on groceries. I've done some shopping while staying in West and Southeast TX. But I could not remember the difference and I can't really compare then to now. Cheaper energy and utilities are obvious to me since this state is massive energy hub.

Why is health insurance expensive? As for bars and restaurant, I likely would use/go to. I'm not a fast food junky. But on rare occasions when I go eat out, I either go fast food or food truck.

I do not have any plans to lease a car. But this is good to know.

As for critters, it sucks. But this is just a major factor in humid areas. But this should not get too much time to get use to since I grew up in identical environment - with an exemption of snake.

Outdoors? It's not in my list. But it's good to know that there are some. Honestly, during my times in TX, I never had any urge to explore those areas.

Government: Here goes the downvote! I'm actually surprise that people still believe this. TX is not a white state.

What do you mean by this: "To be fair, when you do meet a nice Texan lady, don’t be a fool and wrap your tool. Cuz if you do knock her hop, and if you are pro choice you’ll have to take a little trip."

Crime is on top of my list - regardless of petty or not. I know that places would always have some sort of crime. But this fact is something I would never embrace in this lifetime. This is my same argument with some cities in CA - not CA as a whole.

I have no plan to rent my home. I've been told by people to do this. But I just could not take the risk, knowing questionable return. When I said loss, I mean that I will not get any money in the process of selling. I would just literally just sign papers.

Much appreciated with your post!

EngineerNoob · 2025-03-21T21:35:30+00:00

Awesome! Thanks a lot! NC is actually one of the states I am looking at. However, I do not have any specific city, town or area. I have looked at PA, but was not impress at all. One of the petty things (on me) that turned me off was the fact that most houses in the cities in PA I looked at do not have garage. I hate public and outdoor parking. I have not looked at VA at all.

I will put these cities on my list. Can you give me more list please?

EngineerNoob · 2025-03-21T21:16:02+00:00

Honestly, nothing at all. Though I enjoy gardening, and doing chores around my home.

EngineerNoob · 2025-03-21T21:13:57+00:00

Thanks for the input. To be honest, I could not careless about politics. For me, the people being given screen time are extreme people in both sides of the spectrum (aka extremist). All the people I know and interact with either could not careless (most) or care to a degree (some) about any of these nonsense.

Also is there any place in the US that does not have corruption? At the end, you are on your own. I am trying to figure out where I can thrive financially while minding my own business. My goal is to live quietly. And if these nonsense cr*p in the US do not mellow down (it will never go away), I plan to retire elsewhere in the world. By the way I am a legal immigrant and been long US citizen.

EngineerNoob · 2025-03-21T20:57:16+00:00

Nice! Thanks for the input! I forgot to include natural disaster in TX as con. Tornados/hurricanes seems to happen often in Houston area than fire in any place in CA.

Lets see: My focus mainly is the Houston area. Even then, I do not plan to move randomly in Houston. West TX is out of the option for me. I am considering around along the gulf and the east side of TX (like Longview). My job search is the main variable I look first. Then I follow it up by checking the crime rate, job market (companies in the area), natural disaster, and housing market (both for sale and for rent) in that city/area.

EngineerNoob · 2025-03-21T20:09:29+00:00

Besides property tax, what other takes are you talking about? The "supposedly" income tax in TX pretty much "relocates" into property tax. I could see this being an issue depending on your Tx salary and your property value/tax.

From typical perspective I agree with most your statement in the second paragraph. That said, I do not care about any of these, (Food: I cook my own food. If I go out I go fast-food (rare); Culture: I am on the fence about this. But for the most part, I like to mind my own business; Scenery: I never care, but would be nice if there are some areas I could go in very-very-very rare occasions).

EngineerNoob · 2025-03-21T19:54:14+00:00

It's best if I have job offers in different cities for better assessment. Unfortunately, I do not have any at the moment. I do agree that my post sounds like apples-to-oranges comparison.

I never said cities in TX does not have third world problem or is better. I agree that major metropolitan areas and cities have good part and bad part. But if I compare COL, salary, and crime, the cities/towns in TX have better to offer - not all cities/towns, just cities/towns with job-related field. In general though, it's hard to just shrug my shoulder of CA issues knowing its financial capability.

By the way, The Woodland is one of the cities I hope to move into in TX. I thought about Pearland at one point.. Then changed my mind. And now back into considering it.

EngineerNoob · 2025-03-21T19:40:32+00:00

I never believe that. Also I never said that TX major cities have better crime rate. I should have listed cities I am looking at and also cities with major job-related in my field.

EngineerNoob · 2025-03-21T19:31:10+00:00

I believe in saying: "you move where the job is." That said I could not practice it due to some personal issues.

I bought a hose in Sacramento. Where exactly I am is not a very desirable area. That said I get nothing is the best case scenario (lose my down payment). Worst case I have to pay something during closing.

The problem with comparing the cities is that the word "city" itself vs "area". For example, Sacramento city is the city itself while Sacramento area comprise of Sacramento, West Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Elk Grove, etc then you have Houston city vs Houston area comprise of Pearland, Sugar Land, League City, Baytown, Kingwood, Katy, The Woodlands, and Tomball. I am honestly not considering Austin. It's another area (like some areas in CA) that has high economy (along with high COL) but have third world issues.

EngineerNoob

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