What can you do with a Chemical Engineering degree from Michigan State University?

First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from Michigan State University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 24 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 72%, Chemical Engineering graduates from Michigan State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+5%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 72%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 20% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Chemical Engineering graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Chemical Engineering graduate from Michigan State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 73%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from Michigan State University with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Professional Runner
Boston Athletic Association
Aug 2022 - Aug 2023
As a Professional Runner, while the job integrates some aspects of physical training and discipline, it does not utilize specific chemical engineering knowledge or skills in a substantial way.

Process Safety Management Engineer
Innovative Refrigeration Systems, Inc.
Sep 2023 - Present
The role of Process Safety Management Engineer directly applies the technical knowledge and skills acquired from a Chemical Engineering degree, making it highly relevant.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Chemical Engineering degree from Michigan State University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the career paths of graduates from Michigan State University who studied Chemical Engineering, it’s clear that many have landed in roles that do tap into their engineering background, but there's a mixed bag of relevance. One of the standout professions is that of a Process Engineer, which extensively utilizes chemical engineering principles across various sectors like manufacturing and energy. Graduates have found roles as Senior Process Engineers, Completions Engineers, and even Environmental Engineers, where the application of their educational background is not just relevant but crucial for their day-to-day tasks.

However, not all alumni are necessarily sticking to roles that align closely with their chemical engineering expertise. Many have drifted into positions like Sales Engineer, Account Manager, or even Health Scientist, which, while they may require analytical skills, do not primarily leverage the specific technical knowledge gained from a chemical engineering program. Roles in brewing, while interesting, often rely more on creative aspects than on engineering fundamentals. So, while a degree in Chemical Engineering opens up a variety of pathways, the degree to which those roles leverage their specialized knowledge varies significantly. Some jobs are a perfect fit, while others are more of a stretch away from the core principles of chemical engineering. It's not a one-size-fits-all scenario, which is pretty typical for many degrees in engineering fields.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Chemical Engineering graduates (this is across all Chemical Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Michigan State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Chemical Engineering graduates from Michigan State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of Michigan State University Chemical Engineering graduates, it’s clear that many of them start off in roles directly related to their field. Right out of school, a lot of grads land positions as process engineers or in similar technical roles. For example, a bunch of the 2010 and 2011 graduates took up engineering roles at various companies like BP and Owens Corning. This initial focus on engineering sets a strong foundation for their careers. In the first five years, many move up the ladder within their engineering tracks or transition into related fields like project management, operations, or even healthcare roles, like one grad who became a Health Scientist at the CDC.

Fast forward 5 to 10 years later, and these Chemical Engineering alumni often find themselves in more advanced positions or even managing teams. You see roles such as district managers, senior engineers, and some even venture into other industries like brewing or pharmaceuticals. While a few have explored less traditional paths, like social media management or starting their own companies, many have managed to stay within the engineering or technical realm, applying their degree in meaningful ways. Overall, it looks like these graduates typically enjoy solid, relevant careers that utilize their Chemical Engineering background, making the most of their education and skills in various exciting industries.

How hard is a Chemical Engineering degree from Michigan State University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering can definitely be a challenge, and that holds true for Michigan State University as well. The coursework is pretty intense, with a heavy emphasis on math, chemistry, and physics, plus you’ll have to tackle some complex engineering principles. It's not the easiest degree out there, so be ready for a good amount of late nights studying and working on projects. However, if you’re passionate about the subject and willing to put in the effort, you can definitely make it work! Just keep in mind that it’s a rigorous program that requires dedication, but many students find it to be rewarding in the end.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering.

Do Chemical Engineering graduates from Michigan State University tend to make good money?

Looking through the job paths of these Michigan State University Chemical Engineering grads, it seems like most of them have landed some pretty solid positions, which usually translates to decent pay. For example, many have moved up the ladder from roles like process engineers and technical solutions engineers to higher managerial and specialist positions, often at well-known companies like Pfizer and Ecolab. Some have even taken on leadership roles early in their careers, which is a good sign of higher earning potential. However, a few folks have taken on more niche roles or jobs in brewing, which can be fun but might not pay as well compared to traditional engineering jobs. Overall, it looks like these grads are generally doing alright financially, especially by specializing in fields that are in demand!

What buzzwords do Chemical Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering (this is across all Chemical Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Michigan State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Chemical Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Chemical Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Northeastern University 91 11
Rochester Institute of Technology 90 10
Clarkson University 90 10
University of Cincinnati 89 16
Oklahoma State University 88 10
Purdue University 87 20
University of Arkansas 87 13
North Carolina State University 86 22
Arizona State University 85 13
University of Wisconsin-Madison 85 13
University of Delaware 85 13
University at Buffalo 83 10
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 83 13
University of California, Berkeley 82 12
Villanova University 82 10
Montana State University-Bozeman 82 13
Louisiana State University 81 15
The Ohio State University 80 36
Texas A&M University 79 37
Brigham Young University 79 14
University of Arizona 79 15
University of Oklahoma 79 13
University of Massachusetts Lowell 79 12
Michigan Technological University 78 22
Auburn University 76 20
Iowa State University 75 18
Georgia Institute of Technology 74 11
University of California, Davis 73 20
University of Houston 73 17
University of Pittsburgh 73 21
University of Virginia 73 12
Michigan State University 72 24
Oregon State University 72 20
University of Dayton 72 12
Penn State University 71 21
The University of Texas at Austin 71 24
University of Washington 71 10
University of Iowa 71 10
University of Connecticut 70 11
The University of Alabama 69 10
New Jersey Institute of Technology 69 12
Colorado School of Mines 69 21
University of Florida 68 20
Virginia Tech 68 16
Mississippi State University 68 15
University of Notre Dame 68 10
University of Kentucky 67 11
Worcester Polytechnic Institute 67 16
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 66 11
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 65 16
University of Michigan 62 21
The University of Kansas 62 11
Missouri University of Science and Technology 60 14
University of South Florida 58 14
University of California, San Diego 56 12