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

First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from Michigan Technological 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 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 78%, Chemical Engineering graduates from Michigan Technological University have a much higher likelihood (+11%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 78%
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 31% 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 Technological University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 88%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2011 from Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Prodouct Engineer
Takata
Jun 2011 - May 2014
The position of Product Engineer at Takata may involve some engineering principles learned in a chemical engineering program, but it is not directly focused on chemical engineering concepts.

Process Engineer
Arconic
May 2014 - Feb 2017
The role of Process Engineer at Arconic is highly relevant as it directly utilizes knowledge and skills related to processes in chemical engineering, being central to the job's responsibilities.

Process Engineer
Arconic
Feb 2017 - Nov 2018
As a Process Engineer at Arconic, this job again requires application of skills directly applicable to chemical engineering, making it highly relevant to the individuals degree.

Product Engineer
Arconic
Nov 2018 - Present
The position of Product Engineer at Arconic leverages engineering principles that are rooted in a chemical engineering background, thus significantly aligned with the degree expertise.

ABOUT

I graduated from Michigan Technological University with a bachelors in Chemical engineering in 2011. After graduation I got a job in the automotive industry designing airbag inflators. Projects I worked while at Takata included: hands on development of products, qualifying new products to multiple customer specifications, support manufacturing launch of new product, focus on cost reduction initiatives for existing products, and work on improving product performance to meet gaps in the market.In 2014 I left the automotive industry and transitioned to the aerospace industry. At Arconic (formally Alcoa) I specifically worked on protective coatings for aerospace hardware. I have had responsibility for multiple coating processes. I received training in Lean Six Sigma methodology and became a certified ASQ Six Sigma Green Belt. Projects I have worked at Arconic include: new product introduction (NPI), improve process yields, process management to improve process capability, and increase process throughput through continuous improvement.

What jobs can you get with a Chemical Engineering degree from Michigan Technological 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 Technological University who studied Chemical Engineering, it's clear that a variety of positions employ the skills and knowledge acquired during their studies. Many of the most common jobs fall into categories like Process Engineering and Product Development, where graduates apply their understanding of chemical processes in real-world settings. Positions such as Process Engineer at companies like Arconic and Marathon Petroleum highlight how these roles are deeply embedded in the core principles of chemical engineering, focusing on optimizing processes or developing products. Additionally, roles in research and teaching at Michigan Tech itself also demonstrate a strong relevance to their degree, emphasizing the importance of academia in their careers.

However, not all jobs held by these graduates are equally relevant to chemical engineering. Some positions, like those in sales, marketing, or even roles focusing on customer service, show a significant drift away from core chemical engineering principles. For example, jobs such as Accounts Payable Agent or Digital Marketing Specialist emphasize skills more related to business rather than engineering. Overall, while many graduates land roles that closely align with their studies, there are also instances where their degrees don't directly translate to their job functions, showcasing a mix of highly relevant and more tangential roles.

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 Technological University):

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

Graduates from the Chemical Engineering program at Michigan Technological University generally have solid career trajectories, particularly in engineering and technical roles that align well with their degrees. For many of them, their first jobs after graduation are often in positions such as process engineers, field engineers, or product developers, showcasing a direct application of their education in real-world settings. For instance, many of the graduates started off in roles with well-known companies in sectors ranging from manufacturing to energy, giving them valuable experience. After about five years, we see a trend where they have moved into more specialized or senior roles, such as senior engineers or project engineers, and they often remain within the engineering industry or closely related fields. This suggests a stable progression into roles that utilize their chemical engineering knowledge.

Ten years after graduation, many alumni continue to rise in their careers, taking on leadership positions or transitioning into more strategic roles within their organizations. For example, some have moved into managerial roles or specialized positions that tackle cutting-edge issues like sustainability and advanced manufacturing. While there are a few individuals who seem to have diverged from traditional engineering paths, most graduates find rewarding career opportunities that build upon their foundational education in chemical engineering. Overall, it appears that Michigan Tech's Chemical Engineering program prepares its graduates well for a variety of fulfilling career paths, maintaining relevance in sectors critical to modern infrastructure and technology.

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

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering is no walk in the park, and Michigan Technological University is known for having a strong program that reflects that. You'll be diving deep into subjects like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and reaction engineering, which can be pretty challenging and require a solid grasp of math and chemistry. The workload is often intense, with lots of projects and labs, so time management is key. That said, if you’ve got a passion for the field and a willingness to put in the effort, it can be a rewarding experience. Overall, it's generally considered to be more difficult than many other bachelor’s degrees, so just be prepared for a rigorous journey!

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 Technological University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Chemical Engineering graduates from Michigan Tech, it seems like most of them have landed pretty decent jobs after school, potentially making good money, especially considering the engineering field typically pays well. For instance, roles like Process Engineer and Product Developer at established companies usually come with solid salaries and benefits, and those involved with major firms like Pfizer or Ford probably aren’t hurting either. Some folks have risen through the ranks, moving into senior or manager positions, which generally means fatter paychecks too. However, there are a couple of outliers, like those who have taken on more academic or support roles, which might not be as lucrative. Overall, though, it looks like most are doing well financially, which is a good sign if you're thinking about engineering as a field of study.

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 Technological 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