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First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Michigan 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 21 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Michigan have a slightly lower 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, 42% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Chemical Engineering graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 98% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from University of Michigan with a Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONIntern - Sterilization Technology Abbott Nutrition May 2012 - Aug 2012 Associate Scientist - Formulation Sciences  AbbVie Sep 2012 - Dec 2014 Senior Scientific Associate - Formulation Development Vertex Pharmaceuticals Jan 2015 - Jan 2017 Scientist I - Formulation Development Vertex Pharmaceuticals Jan 2017 - Feb 2020 Scientist II - Formulation Development Vertex Pharmaceuticals Feb 2020 - Aug 2020 Sr. Manager - Drug Product & Formulation Development BridgeBio Sep 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGDoctor of Philosophy - PhDThe University of Texas at Austin 2020 - 2023 ABOUTPharmaceutical scientist with eight years of industry experience in formulation and process development of oral solid dosage forms.Experienced with: bioavailability enhancing formulations and amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs), coordination and execution of Phase I/II drug product clinical trial supply manufacture, design of experiments (DOE) and quality by design (QbD) methodology, working in cross-functional technical teams. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After looking through the job history of University of Michigan chemical engineering graduates, it seems like there’s quite a range of career paths these folks have taken. A significant number of them landed positions directly related to chemical engineering, particularly in roles like process engineering, formulation sciences, or optimization in chemical plants. For instance, many graduates work as process engineers at major companies like Shell and Dow, where they apply the technical knowledge acquired during their studies to improve production processes. Other relevant roles include formulation development at pharmaceutical firms, which makes good use of chemical engineering principles, ensuring these jobs are right on target in terms of educational relevance.
However, not all paths taken are so closely aligned with chemical engineering. Some graduates are found in roles that don’t directly leverage their chemical engineering skills, like family medicine residents or various managerial positions that focus more on business development and sales. Additionally, there’s a noticeable presence of graduates in tech and software roles, such as developers and engineers, which makes it clear that the degree can sometimes lead to non-technical job markets. So, while many alumni are indeed working in relevant fields, a good number have also ventured into areas where they’re not utilizing their chemical engineering education in a substantial way. It’s a mixed bag, but for many, the degree still serves as a strong foundation for a variety of careers!
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 Michigan):
Graduates from the University of Michigan with a degree in Chemical Engineering seem to have a fairly diverse range of career trajectories, but many have landed solid roles that are closely tied to their educational background. For their first jobs after graduation, many tend to start off in engineering positions—like process engineers or project engineers—at well-known companies such as Shell, Dow, or Baker Hughes. This trend is a good sign, as it indicates that these graduates are stepping directly into relevant fields right out of school, which is a nice launchpad for building a successful career.
As we look further down the line, say five to ten years later, many alumni have climbed the corporate ladder and taken on roles with greater responsibility, such as senior engineers, managers, or even directors at various companies. A good number of them continued in sectors like pharmaceuticals, energy, and manufacturing. That said, some graduates ventured into less conventional paths—like software engineering or even medical fields—but these transitions still reflect a flexible application of their engineering training. Overall, while a few opted for unrelated careers, most of these alumni seem to be doing well in meaningful, relevant positions that leverage their Chemical Engineering expertise, marking a solid trajectory for future professionals in the field!
A Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan is definitely on the challenging side, so be prepared to put in some serious effort! The courses are rigorous, covering a lot of advanced math, chemistry, and physics, along with problem-solving skills that are pretty intense. You'll be doing a lot of lab work, projects, and teamwork, which can be both fun and demanding. While some people might find it tough compared to other degrees, if you have a solid foundation in math and science and a genuine interest in the subject, you can totally handle it. Just keep in mind that it’s not going to be a walk in the park—hard work and dedication are key!
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 grads from the University of Michigan, it seems like they've landed some pretty solid gigs after graduation. Many have climbed the ladder in impressive roles like Medical Director, Director of Engineering, and Lead Intellectual Property Engineer, which usually come with good paychecks, especially in tech or healthcare. Even the ones who started in more entry-level positions have managed to transition into higher-level roles, suggesting they're making decent money now. Overall, it looks like they've been doing well financially, capitalizing on their education and experiences to boost their earning potential over time. So yeah, they’re likely doing just fine!
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 Michigan). 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:
