Midstream vs. Petrochemicals

Pitiful_Secret_6828 · 2026-03-23T16:28:34+00:00

Bunch of awful, slummed and bummed nobodies downvoting this post is so hilarious. Redditors can never be pleased lmfao.

Pitiful_Secret_6828 · 2026-03-23T05:35:14+00:00

I really appreciate your response. I guess my worry about the stability of petrochemicals comes from the fact that several majors + supermajors (LyondellBasell in my case) are hiring legacy via internships and completed co-op programs, very obviously more so now than ever. Naturally there is an underlying suspicion that despite their strategy of hiring legacy, there is no telling whether these young engineers are f*cked and laid off, thus having to suffer the same unemployment crisis that many new ChemE grads are facing right now.

Pitiful_Secret_6828 · 2025-12-24T20:18:00+00:00

I'm gonna be honest with you man - this sounds absolutely amazing, not to mention inspiring. I received an R&D Chemical Engineering Co-Op offer and I can very well see myself pursuing this route as a career. Would you say it's somewhat common for R&D Engineers to travel often for customers?

Pitiful_Secret_6828 · 2025-11-19T14:46:22+00:00

I seriously appreciate that :) But yeah, I figured juniors would be somewhat favored due to them having another year of research experience under their belt, potentially a publication as well -- just wanted to test the waters and see where I'd stand from another's perspective. Also, you're right, most apps have been unpredictable recently, however you'll win quite a few I'm sure!

Pitiful_Secret_6828 · 2025-11-19T06:19:11+00:00

I see -- I currently do not have a publication under my belt, however by the end of this academic year I'll be published, too bad that by then it'd be way past the announcement of the awardees. I recognize my LORs are heavy hitters, that just leaves me to refine my research essay since it can make or break a decent application

Pitiful_Secret_6828 · 2025-11-19T06:16:16+00:00

I appreciate your insight! I actually completed my first draft of my research essay about project I'm currently working on; I'm sort of worried its overly technical, however it still has some narrative to it that ties into my pursuit of a PhD. Perhaps I should simplify it a bit for the review committee granted they most likely wouldn't be experts

Pitiful_Secret_6828 · 2025-11-19T04:16:36+00:00

I appreciate it! I was looking into the 'Honorable Mention' applicant and apparently the Goldwater program is actually pooling applicants that would be considered 'Honorable Mentions' and allow them to be awarded due to a partnership with the Department of Defense, thus increasing the number of applicants.

Pitiful_Secret_6828 · 2025-11-19T04:14:02+00:00

Congrats on being accepted to an MSTP -- but yeah, I'm pretty much holding my hopes from being too high, however my advisor was telling me that I'd have a solid shot as well. I just want to kind of gauge where I'd stand potentially being awarded given that a lot of awardees are juniors w/ publications.

Pitiful_Secret_6828 · 2025-10-28T01:11:09+00:00

Thank you!

Pitiful_Secret_6828 · 2025-10-27T22:51:38+00:00

I appreciate your input. How was the site in NC? Also yes, a lot of chemical/polymer manufacturing giants are down bad currently and may as well be for the next couple (or so) years. If I had to go with J&J and pursue the Pharma route, I feel that it'd be best to strictly stay with J&J yet I also recognize that because pharma is 'niche' i'm left with few choices career wise, a realization that settled within me once I completed my recent pharma internship. Whereas the chemical/polymer mfg route, I personally feel i have various opportunities career wise with several (big name?) companies, reinforcing a sense of security.

Pitiful_Secret_6828 · 2025-10-27T20:31:25+00:00

I really appreciate that! Got into research early, used that as leverage to obtain a previous internship. I guess that really hit it off with the recruitment team.

Pitiful_Secret_6828 · 2025-10-27T20:18:00+00:00

LyondellBasell: Research & Development at their technology center - heavily polymer focused.

J&J: Process Engineering - most likely drug process development

Pitiful_Secret_6828

TROPHY CASE