What can you do with a Chemical Engineering degree from University of Kentucky?

First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Kentucky 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Kentucky have about the same likelihood of finding work in this field as the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 67%
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 27% 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 University of Kentucky and our analysis:


Relevance score: 87%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2015 from University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemical Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Summer Internship
Bluegrass Advanced Materials
May 2015 - Jul 2015
The summer internship at Bluegrass Advanced Materials does not require specific chemical engineering knowledge or skills, making it unrelated to the Bachelor's degree.

Summer Internship
The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
May 2018 - Aug 2018
The summer internship at The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies directly utilizes chemical engineering principles in pharmaceutical development, aligning perfectly with the degree.

Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Pittsburgh
Sep 2020 - Sep 2020
The role of postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pittsburgh involves advanced chemical engineering research, leveraging the technical expertise gained from the Bachelor's degree on a daily basis.

VP of Women's Health Innovations
NOMA AI
Aug 2020 - Jul 2021
As VP of Women's Health Innovations at NOMA AI, while there may be some overlap with health-related applications of chemical engineering, the core qualifications and daily tasks are less focused on engineering principles.

Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Florida
Oct 2020 - Jul 2021
The postdoctoral researcher position at the University of Florida centers on research methodologies and applications pertinent to chemical engineering, thus making it highly relevant.

ORISE Fellow
FDA
Jul 2021 - Dec 2022
The ORISE Fellowship at the FDA involves regulatory and safety assessments that require knowledge of chemical engineering principles, making it directly applicable to the Bachelor's degree.

Staff Fellow
FDA
Dec 2022 - Present
As a Staff Fellow at the FDA, responsibilities likely involve the application of chemical engineering expertise in ensuring product safety and efficacy, aligning well with the education received in the Bachelor's program.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
University of Pittsburgh
2015 - 2020
ABOUT

I am motivated by making a positive impact on the healthcare system through research. My PhD work was focused on mathematical modeling of blood coagulation in obstetric and trauma populations using a data-driven approach. I also focused on improving women's health through my research at UF and work at NOMA AI. Now, I work in the Division of Translational and Precision Medicine at the US FDA, leading a research project and supporting rare disease drug review.

What jobs can you get with a Chemical Engineering degree from University of Kentucky?

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


When looking at the types of jobs held by alumni from the University of Kentucky who studied Chemical Engineering, it’s pretty clear that many of them end up in roles that are quite relevant to their degree. Job titles like Process Engineer and Development Scientist pop up frequently, showing a strong connection to the core principles of chemical engineering. These positions require individuals to apply their technical knowledge in real-world settings, and it seems that a significant number of graduates are involved in roles where they can leverage their expertise in chemical processes and system design.

However, not all positions are directly related to Chemical Engineering. Some graduates have taken up roles in quality assurance or customer service, which may touch on elements of the degree but don’t fully utilize the specialized skills they learned in school. For instance, positions like Quality Assurance Technician or Service Coordinator involve less engineering and more operational or service-oriented tasks. Overall, while many alumni are successfully using their Chemical Engineering background in relevant roles, there is a trend of graduates also exploring opportunities that don't align as closely with their degree. It’s a mixed bag, showing that while the degree opens many doors, not every job out there will directly apply what they studied.

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 Kentucky):

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

It looks like graduates from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Chemical Engineering typically start off their careers in solid roles that are relevant to their field. Many of them land positions like process engineers or technicians right out of college. For instance, a graduate from 2012 became a process engineer at Corning after working as a technician, showing a progression that many seem to follow: starting with hands-on roles and eventually moving into more specialized engineering positions. Some grads have also taken a slightly different route by entering roles in quality assurance or technical solutions, which still have a connection to their engineering background.

As for their career trajectories down the line, the majority continue to climb the ladder within engineering and technical fields. After about five years, many have moved up into positions like development scientists or have transitioned to roles in research organizations, which is super impressive! However, a few do take paths that veer away from direct engineering work, like those in customer service or market strategy, which might lead to more varied careers. Overall, it seems like a lot of these graduates are thriving in relevant positions related to their studies, building successful careers in Chemical Engineering or related industries.

How hard is a Chemical Engineering degree from University of Kentucky?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, like the one at the University of Kentucky, can be pretty challenging. It’s a tough mix of math, chemistry, and physics, along with some serious problem-solving skills. You'll have to tackle advanced coursework and labs, which can be pretty intense and time-consuming. But hey, many students manage to get through it with dedication and good study habits! It's definitely not a walk in the park, but if you have a passion for understanding how things work on a chemical level, you might find it super rewarding! Just be ready to put in the effort!

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 University of Kentucky tend to make good money?

So, looking at these Chemical Engineering grads from the University of Kentucky, it seems like they're doing pretty well for themselves in terms of jobs and likely pay. Most of them have landed solid positions like Process Engineer and Development Scientist, which usually come with decent salaries, especially as they progress in their careers. The ones who jumped straight into engineering roles or have moved up in companies seem to be on a path to making good money. Even those who started with internships and postdoc positions are transitioning into roles that offer strong earning potential. Overall, it looks like they’re on the right track in terms of financial stability and career growth!

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 University of Kentucky). 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