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

First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Notre Dame 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 68%, Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Notre Dame have a slightly higher likelihood (+1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 68%
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 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:

View a random Chemical Engineering graduate from University of Notre Dame and our analysis:


Relevance score: 62%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2010 from University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemical Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Reservoir Engineer
ExxonMobil
Aug 2010 - Aug 2014
The position of Reservoir Engineer at ExxonMobil directly utilizes the technical skills and knowledge in chemical engineering, as it involves analyzing and optimizing oil and gas reservoirs through engineering principles.

Americorps Volunteer Science Teacher
Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School
Aug 2012 - Aug 2014
The role of Americorps Volunteer Science Teacher involves teaching principles of science which may overlap with engineering concepts, but it does not primarily rely on the specific knowledge or technical skills of chemical engineering.

Innovation Advisor
RTI Innovation Advisors
Aug 2014 - Present
As an Innovation Advisor at RTI Innovation Advisors, the individual may draw on skills related to problem-solving and project development from their chemical engineering background, but the role is not directly focused on chemical engineering principles.

ABOUT

Jim has 10 years of industry and innovation experience, specializing in front-end-of-innovation strategy, including strategic foresight, trend-spotting and scenario planning, innovation process, opportunity identification, and strategic roadmapping. He has worked extensively at the intersection of innovation and emerging trends in intelligent systems (Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, IoT, etc.) and leads the RTI Innovation Advisors foresight practice. Jim leverages his prior teaching experience as one of the go-to advisors for projects involving capacity building, facilitating innovation workshops, design sprints, and innovation labs. As a certified design thinking instructor and published author, Jim has led numerous design thinking workshops and developed various innovation and technology commercialization capacity building programs that have been implemented in corporations across the US and universities in the Philippines, El Salvador, and Saudi Arabia. Jim is both an engineer and a teacher at heart. His unique career path reflects his diverse interests and his desire to make the world a better place. As a lifelong learner, he loves connecting with others who share his passion for innovation, education, or new technology and have unique views on how to make social change happen. Strengthsfinder: Learner | Competition | Includer | Strategic | Ideation

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

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


From the data we've got, it seems like people who graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Notre Dame have gone into a variety of fields, though many of those jobs still hold some connection to their studies. A significant number of graduates took roles like Chemical Engineers, Reservoir Engineers, and Research Associates—positions that closely tie into the technical skills and knowledge they gained during college. For example, many of those working in energy sectors or innovative research align their work with chemical engineering principles, indicating these are common and relevant paths for graduates.

However, it's also worth noting that not every job listed is directly relevant to chemical engineering. Some graduates moved into roles in healthcare consulting or education, which might utilize a few analytical skills from their training but lean more on industry-specific knowledge that doesn't necessarily come from their engineering background. So, while there's a strong representation in engineering-related jobs, there's also a noticeable trend of graduates branching out into other sectors, sometimes leaving behind the core principles of chemical engineering. Overall, it paints a mixed picture: many grads are in relevant positions, but a good share have chosen paths that diverge from direct applications of their degree.

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 Notre Dame):

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

Okay, so if you're looking at what folks who graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Notre Dame are doing, it’s a pretty mixed bag, but there are definitely some standout trends. Right after graduation, many of these alumni start strong, landing roles like engineers at big companies or research positions in academic institutions. For instance, one graduate became a Reservoir Engineer at ExxonMobil only a couple of months after finishing school. Others jumped straight into roles as consultants or research associates, which shows that there's a solid pathway for graduates to kick off their careers in fields relevant to Chemical Engineering right away.

Fast forward five to ten years later, and the picture becomes even more interesting. Many of them have moved up the ladder within their respective industries, taking on leadership roles or special projects, especially in tech-heavy areas like renewable energy or healthcare. However, some graduates have also veered off into consulting positions or other fields that are tangentially related to chemical engineering. While not every graduate sticks strictly to engineering roles, they often find themselves in jobs that still utilize their analytical skills and problem-solving abilities. Overall, it seems that Notre Dame Chemical Engineering grads generally secure reputable positions that reflect solid career trajectories, although there are a few that seem to explore variations that stray a bit from traditional engineering paths.

How hard is a Chemical Engineering degree from University of Notre Dame?

A Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, especially at a prestigious school like the University of Notre Dame, can be pretty challenging. You’re diving deep into complex subjects like thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and chemical reaction engineering, which requires solid math and science skills. The coursework is often rigorous, with a mix of tough problem sets, lab work, and projects that can be time-consuming. While it’s definitely manageable with determination and good study habits, it might feel harder than other degrees because of the technical material and workload. So, if you’re ready to put in the effort, it can be a rewarding journey, but just know it’s not a walk in the park!

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 Notre Dame tend to make good money?

From what I've seen, it looks like most of these Notre Dame Chemical Engineering grads have landed pretty solid jobs, with a mix of high-paying positions at companies like ExxonMobil and Tesla, and roles at government agencies like the U.S. Department of Energy. The grad from 2010 seems to be doing well with his private sector gig after a stint in a teaching role, while the younger grads are also making their way into decent positions in consulting and engineering, which usually pay well, especially as they gain experience. Some have taken roles in academia and research, which might not be the highest-paying initially, but it's a stable path. Overall, it seems most of these folks have made decent money, especially when you consider their engineering degrees typically set them up for solid financial futures.

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 Notre Dame). 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