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First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 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? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Chemical Engineering graduates from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) 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, 45% 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: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2018 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONChemical Engineer Jacobs May 2022 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
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 graduates from Virginia Tech’s Chemical Engineering program, it’s clear that a majority have landed positions that directly relate to their degree. Many have taken roles in companies like Merck and International Paper where they were involved in operations, manufacturing, or process management—jobs that are about as relevant to chemical engineering as you can get. For instance, positions such as Specialists in Operations and various management roles at Merck consistently apply chemical engineering principles to improve manufacturing and operational processes. Similarly, graduates employed at International Paper have held titles like Process Manager, demonstrating a clear connection to their engineering education as they focus on optimizing production processes with chemical knowledge.
However, not all job paths reflect a direct application of chemical engineering. Some graduates have pursued roles in sales, account management, or even software engineering, which tend to lean more towards business and technology rather than engineering principles. For example, someone working as an Account Manager at Trane Technologies might utilize some technical knowledge related to chemical products, but their daily tasks aren’t heavily rooted in engineering. Overall, while many graduates are in relevant engineering roles, there’s also a significant number who have ventured outside traditional chemical engineering jobs, indicating that a degree in this field can open various doors, even if some paths veer away from direct application.
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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Virginia Tech with a degree in Chemical Engineering, it's clear that many of them have secured solid positions within industries that align directly with their field of study. For example, several graduates immediately joined reputable companies like Merck and PBF Energy in roles such as process engineers, operations specialists, and technical support. Positions like these are indicative of a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles, allowing these graduates to contribute meaningfully in their first jobs right after graduation. Some even climbed the ranks to managerial positions within just a few years, such as those who moved from engineer roles to managerial positions within large corporations.
However, it’s important to point out that not everyone seems to stick strictly to the engineering path. While many alumni enjoy successful careers in chemical and process engineering, others have veered into roles that seem less directly related, such as project management or IT support. Graduates who started in chemical roles sometimes transitioned to software or analysis positions that, while may seem a bit off-track, still leverage the analytical skills gained during their studies. Overall, though the journey varies for each individual, the trend indicates that a degree in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech provides diverse pathways, with many alumni finding good careers in relevant fields, especially within large, established companies. Most graduates five to ten years post-graduation appear to be in positions of responsibility, showcasing a promising trajectory overall.
A Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, whether at Virginia Tech or pretty much anywhere else, is definitely on the tougher side of the spectrum. You’re diving into a lot of challenging subjects like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and organic chemistry, and there’s a lot of math involved too. Virginia Tech has a solid engineering program, so you can expect rigorous coursework and a fair amount of projects and labs that will keep you busy. It’s not impossible by any means, but you’ll need good time management skills and a willingness to put in the work. If you’re passionate about the subject and ready to tackle the hard stuff, you can definitely make it through, but be prepared for some late nights and tough exams along the way!
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 Virginia Tech, it seems like they’re doing fairly well, especially considering they’re mostly sticking to solid companies in the field. The grad from 2010, who’s now an Associate Director at Merck, is likely pulling in a pretty sweet salary. Others, like the graduates from 2013 and 2014, have also climbed the ladder relatively quickly within their companies, suggesting that they’re making decent money too—especially with management titles under their belts. However, the grad who bounced around a bit and ended up in IT-related roles might not be seeing the same financial success. Overall, most of these folks appear to have set themselves up for a comfortable lifestyle, likely making good money as they progress in their careers.
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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). 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:
