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First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Iowa 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? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 71%, Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Iowa have a slightly higher likelihood (+4%) 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:
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Relevance score: 93% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2021 from University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Engineering - BE in Chemical Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONDonor Center Technician Biomat USA, Inc. Jul 2021 - Dec 2021 Project Engineer  cGMP Consulting Inc. Jan 2022 - Present ABOUTUniversity of Iowa graduate with a Chemical Engineering degree and a Certificate of Sustainability. My interests include sustainability, renewable energy, and atmospheric sciences. |
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 Chemical Engineering graduates from the University of Iowa, it seems like there are two main tracks: roles that are highly relevant to their degree and those that veer off into unrelated territories, particularly law and business. A lot of folks ended up in positions like Process Engineer, Project Engineer, or Quality Engineer, where they’re directly applying their chemical engineering skills. For example, working at places like Cargill Salt and EnerSys, they’re using the technical knowledge they've gained in their studies on a daily basis, which makes a ton of sense considering the nature of those jobs.
On the flip side, there are quite a few graduates who took a detour into fields like law and consulting. Many of these roles, such as Summer Associate positions at law firms or as a Judicial Law Clerk, don’t really require any of the engineering skills they’ve spent years honing. While some might dabble in environmental consulting or related fields that can tie back to chemical engineering, the overall trend shows that not everyone is sticking to jobs that are directly relevant to their degree. So, while plenty of graduates are neck-deep in engineering work, there's a noticeable chunk who have found themselves in completely different sectors, often relying on their analytical skills rather than their chemical engineering expertise. It's kind of a mixed bag overall!
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 University of Iowa):
So, if we look at what graduates from the University of Iowa with a degree in Chemical Engineering are up to, it seems like a pretty solid path for many of them! Right out of college, you'll often find them landing jobs in engineering roles. For example, several graduates took on positions like quality control engineers or project engineers shortly after graduation. This shows that they're stepping directly into roles that utilize their chemical engineering skills, which is a really positive sign. It’s great to see that many are entering industries like manufacturing, consulting, and even tech, often starting off in positions that relate closely to their field of study.
Fast forward a few years to around the 5-10 year mark, and many of these graduates seem to be moving up the ladder. Some transition into more specialized roles like process engineers or technical solutions managers, while a few even step outside traditional engineering and into law or management roles. There are also those who start their own companies, which shows a spirit of entrepreneurship—definitely not uncommon for engineers. Overall, it seems like Chemical Engineering majors from Iowa are not only finding good initial jobs but are also building successful careers that reflect their training and education in the field. There’s a mix of industries, a clear professional growth trajectory, and, thankfully, a lot of relevance to what they studied. So, for anyone considering this path, it looks like a solid bet!
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering can be pretty challenging, and it’s no walk in the park at places like the University of Iowa either. You’re diving deep into subjects like thermodynamics, transport phenomena, and reaction engineering, which can get pretty intense if you're not a fan of math or science. There’s a lot of problem-solving and critical thinking involved, plus lab work that requires attention to detail. Some people find it tougher than other majors because it mixes a lot of theoretical concepts with real-world applications. But hey, if you’re passionate about chemistry and enjoy tackling complex problems, it can be a rewarding experience, though definitely on the harder side compared to many other undergraduate programs.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering.
Looking at these Chemical Engineering graduates from the University of Iowa, it seems like they've generally landed good-paying jobs, which is a pretty decent outcome for their degrees. The ones who graduated more recently seem to have started right off in solid positions, like process engineers and project engineers, which typically pay well in the tech and manufacturing sectors. The graduates who ventured into law have also made some big moves, landing clerkships and associate roles at respectable law firms, indicating they’re on the path to a lucrative legal career. Even the ones in roles like quality engineers and technical solutions managers are in positions that usually come with decent salaries. Overall, most of these folks appear to be in a pretty good spot 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 University of Iowa). 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:
