First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from Oregon 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 20 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 72%, Chemical Engineering graduates from Oregon State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+5%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 30% 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:
Relevance score: 28%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from Oregon State University with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONProject Technical SupportCarisbrook Technology Services Feb 2018 - Aug 2018 Process Engineer Technician Internship Maxim Integrated Sep 2018 - Mar 2019 Investing Technician III PCC Structurals, Inc. Aug 2019 - Jul 2020 Manager King's Proshop Sep 2020 - Nov 2022 Process Engineer PCC Structurals, Inc. May 2023 - Present ABOUTGraduate with a B.S. in Chemical EngineeringProcess Engineer at PCC SchlosserPassed the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam for Chemical Engineering in OregonExperience writing and revising Standard Operating Procedures for Investment CastingExperience working in clean room and industrial environments |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From analyzing the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from Oregon State University's Chemical Engineering program, it seems that most individuals have landed roles as Process Engineers, which is a strong testament to the relevance of their degree. These positions often involve applying core chemical engineering principles in various industries, such as renewable energy, materials processing, and manufacturing. Many of these jobs directly utilize the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies, particularly in process optimization and development. Graduates frequently hold positions like Process Development Engineer, Manufacturing Manager, and Environmental Engineer, all of which are closely aligned with their academic training.
However, there are also a fair number of positions that don't directly relate to chemical engineering. Some graduates have ventured into roles such as Quality Control Managers, Data Engineers, or even Technical Sales, where only some of their chemical engineering knowledge might be applicable. While these roles can still benefit from a background in engineering, they aren't strictly focused on the chemical processes they studied. Overall, while a good chunk of graduates seem to find relevant work in the field, there are definitely those who have taken paths that diverge from traditional chemical engineering 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 Oregon State University):
Graduates of Oregon State University's Chemical Engineering program seem to have a pretty strong career trajectory, especially right after they graduate. Most of them start off as process engineers, working in various industries like manufacturing, environmental services, and technology. This initial role gives them hands-on experience and sets a solid foundation for their careers. It’s common to see them bouncing between positions at several different companies, especially in the first five years after graduation, where they often transition to roles such as engineering consultants or managers as they gain more experience and skills. For example, graduates from 2010 and 2013 have moved up the ranks to higher positions, like manufacturing managers or analytics consultants, showing a clear upward movement in their careers.
Five to ten years down the line, many of these grads remain within fields related to chemical engineering, often taking on leadership roles or pivoting into specialized areas such as environmental engineering, manufacturing systems management, or project management. While some of them have even ventured into seemingly unrelated careers—like data engineering or quality control—most of them are still leveraging their chemical engineering background in meaningful ways. Overall, it looks like these graduates are generally doing well for themselves, with many finding relevant, solid careers in their field and continuing to advance professionally over time. This pattern highlights how versatile a Chemical Engineering degree can be, giving students plenty of paths they can follow based on their interests and opportunities that arise after graduation.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering can be pretty challenging, and it's not just at Oregon State University—this is a common theme across most universities. You’re diving deep into concepts like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and chemical reaction engineering, which can get pretty intense. Expect a lot of problem-solving, teamwork on projects, and some tough math and science classes that really test your understanding. While some people might find it manageable or even enjoyable, it can definitely feel overwhelming at times, especially with the workload and lab work involved. So, if you're up for a rigorous academic challenge and enjoy science and math, you'll probably do fine, but it’s important to be prepared for the commitment!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 5 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering.
It looks like the Chemical Engineering grads from Oregon State University have generally landed pretty solid jobs, especially given their fields. Most of the people listed have steadily climbed the career ladder, shifting from roles like Process Engineer to more senior positions, which usually means their salaries have been decent or even good, especially at companies like Intel and Nike. While exact salary figures aren’t available, engineering positions in these industries tend to offer competitive pay, particularly as they gain experience. So, overall, it seems like they're doing well for themselves financially!
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 Oregon State University). This may or may not be useful:
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: