What can you do with a Chemical Engineering degree from Rochester Institute of Technology?

First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 90%, Chemical Engineering graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology have a substantially higher likelihood (+23%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 90%
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 Rochester Institute of Technology and our analysis:


Relevance score: 63%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemical Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Process/Materials Engineer - Infrared Sensor Manufacturing
L-3 Cincinnati Electronics
Feb 2014 - Jan 2016
The role of Process/Materials Engineer in infrared sensor manufacturing directly applies chemical engineering skills in materials processing and product development.

Process Engineer - Micro 3D Printing
Eastman Kodak Company
Jan 2016 - Oct 2017
As a Process Engineer in micro 3D printing, this position utilizes chemical engineering principles in materials science and process optimization relevant to the technology.

Process Engineer - Medical Devices
Bausch + Lomb
Oct 2017 - Jan 2019
The position of Process Engineer for Medical Devices requires knowledge of chemical processes, materials, and regulatory standards that are fundamental to chemical engineering.

Chairman Of The Board
WNY Fighting Covid
Apr 2020 - Nov 2021
While serving as Chairman Of The Board at WNY Fighting Covid may involve some organizational and strategic skills, it does not require specific chemical engineering knowledge on a daily basis.

Owner/sUAS Pilot
Rochester Aerial Photography
Aug 2019 - Aug 2022
The role of Owner/sUAS Pilot at Rochester Aerial Photography does not involve chemical engineering principles, focusing instead on drone operation and photography, which are unrelated fields.

Graduate Research Fellow
Rochester Institute of Technology
Aug 2018 - May 2023
As a Graduate Research Fellow at Rochester Institute of Technology, the individual would apply chemical engineering theories and methodologies in research settings, making it highly relevant.

Graduate Research Fellow
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Apr 2020 - Dec 2023
The Graduate Research Fellow role at the National Science Foundation (NSF) allows for the application of chemical engineering research and principles, aligning directly with the degree.

Owner/Design Engineer
Emergent 3D LLC
Mar 2019 - Present
Being an Owner/Design Engineer at Emergent 3D LLC might utilize some engineering design principles, but it does not directly leverage specialized chemical engineering knowledge.

Firefighter
Ridge Road Fire District
Aug 2021 - Present
The role of Firefighter at Ridge Road Fire District does not require any specific skills or knowledge from a chemical engineering perspective, focusing instead on emergency response and safety.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Firefighter 229
Monroe County Recruit Firefighter Training Academy
2021 - 2021
ABOUT

I am a dedicated and driven individual committed to exceeding expectations, constantly seeking self improvement and always looking for new challenges. Professionally, I am a skilled process engineer with experience in thin film manufacturing environments and knowledge of six sigma, data analysis, and database development.

What jobs can you get with a Chemical Engineering degree from Rochester Institute of Technology?

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


From analyzing various LinkedIn profiles of RIT Chemical Engineering graduates, it’s clear that many of them have found their way into roles that are pretty closely tied to the field. Jobs like Process Engineer, which are commonly listed, offer a perfect blend of technical skills and chemical engineering knowledge. These positions often focus on optimizing processes in industries ranging from medical devices to advanced manufacturing, showing a strong relevance to what they studied. Additionally, roles in R&D and Graduate Fellowships highlight the research aspects of chemical engineering, revealing that graduates are applying their knowledge in innovative settings as well.

However, not every job listed is directly related to chemical engineering. Some graduates have ventured into roles like financial management or even owning a photography business, which don't leverage their engineering background at all. It’s a mixed bag, really. While many graduates do land positions that allow them to employ their chemical engineering skills, there are also those who branch out into other fields that may not utilize their specialized knowledge on a daily basis. Overall, the trend seems to lean positively toward relevance in engineering roles, but fresh grads should be aware that not all paths taken will keep them in that zone.

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 Rochester Institute of Technology):

What kind of career trajectories do Chemical Engineering graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the Rochester Institute of Technology who studied Chemical Engineering, it seems like most of them are starting off pretty strong. Many of the early jobs they land are in relevant engineering roles, like Process Engineers or Controls Engineers, which aligns perfectly with their degrees. For example, graduates from 2014 and 2015 have taken on positions at well-known companies such as Eastman Kodak, Xerox, and Bausch + Lomb, showcasing that they are entering the field of chemical engineering and related industries right out of school. It’s a solid starting point, which not only highlights their education but suggests that the market is favorable for new engineers in this field.

As time goes on, these professionals appear to continue on pathways that are linked closely with chemical engineering. After five years, many have advanced to managerial roles or specialized positions, such as Director of Finance in one case, while most remain in engineering roles. By the ten-year mark, individuals like those involved in graduate research or entrepreneurial projects show a tendency toward leadership or niche expertise within their fields. Overall, it looks like a lot of these RIT graduates are successfully carving out careers that leverage their education, whether they stay in traditional engineering roles or branch out into other ventures like research or even starting their own businesses. It paints a pretty encouraging picture for anyone considering a future in Chemical Engineering at RIT!

How hard is a Chemical Engineering degree from Rochester Institute of Technology?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, whether at Rochester Institute of Technology or pretty much anywhere else, can be quite challenging. It’s definitely on the harder side of things compared to many other majors. You’re diving into tough subjects like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and reaction engineering, which require solid math and science skills. The workload can be intense with lots of labs, problem sets, and projects. But, hey, if you're passionate about chemistry and enjoy solving complex problems, it can be a rewarding experience, even if it gets a bit overwhelming at times. Just be prepared to put in the effort and stay organized!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 5 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering.

Do Chemical Engineering graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology tend to make good money?

Looking at these Chemical Engineering grads from RIT, it seems like they’ve done pretty well for themselves in terms of career progress and income. Most of them started in decent positions soon after graduation, bouncing around to roles that likely pay even better as they gain experience. For example, the grad who worked at Bausch + Lomb and then took on leadership roles has probably upped their paycheck significantly. Even newer grads landing jobs at places like Sherwin-Williams and Mosaic Microsystems suggest solid starting salaries. Overall, they seem to be on a good path financially, especially considering the engineering sector tends to pay well right out of college!

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 Rochester Institute of Technology). 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