What can you do with a Chemical Engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute?

First, some facts. Of the Chemical Engineering graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Chemical Engineering graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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 12% 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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute and our analysis:


Relevance score: 50%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2019 from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Design Engineer
SIG SAUER, Inc.
May 2019 - Present
The position of Design Engineer at SIG SAUER, Inc. may involve some analytical and problem-solving skills relevant to chemical engineering, but it does not require the core qualifications or specific knowledge directly derived from a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Chemical Engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute?

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


When looking at the job trajectories of graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with degrees in Chemical Engineering, it's clear that there's a mix of roles they have taken on. Many alumni have secured positions that are directly tied to their chemical engineering backgrounds, such as Chemical Process Engineers, Research and Development Engineers, and Process Engineers. These positions typically involve applying fundamental concepts of chemical engineering, working with materials, and enhancing production processes. In fact, a significant number of graduates have been able to find roles directly making use of their education in chemical processes, materials science, and even product development, indicating a strong alignment with their studies.

However, there’s also a noticeable trend of graduates landing in roles that aren't heavily focused on traditional chemical engineering tasks. Many have pursued positions in sales, project management, or broader engineering roles that do not leverage their specialized knowledge in chemical processes on a daily basis. For instance, a handful of graduates have taken roles like sales operations analyst or account manager, which focuses more on business and client relations over technical engineering. Overall, while many graduates find positions that utilize their chemical engineering knowledge well, others often drift into jobs that take advantage of transferable skills rather than core engineering principles, showcasing the versatility of a chemical engineering degree in the job market.

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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of Chemical Engineering graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), it's pretty clear they generally find their way into solid engineering roles after they finish school. Many of the alumni kick off their careers in positions like process engineers, research and development engineers, or even in management roles within tech and life sciences. For example, those who graduated in 2010 went from being engineers at big-name companies like IBM and Rolls-Royce to taking on strategic managerial positions just a few years later. Even recent graduates have quickly landed roles in reputable firms, showcasing the versatility and applicability of their chemical engineering education.

Five to ten years after graduation, many of these individuals stay in engineering or technical roles, often climbing the corporate ladder, moving into management, or specializing further in their fields. However, it's also interesting to see some diverge into sales or operational roles, perhaps indicating that the analytical and problem-solving skills honed during their studies are valuable beyond traditional engineering jobs. So overall, it looks like WPI Chemical Engineering grads are doing quite well for themselves, often finding good opportunities that align with their educational background.

How hard is a Chemical Engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, whether at Worcester Polytechnic Institute or elsewhere, is generally considered pretty challenging. The coursework dives deep into subjects like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and organic chemistry, which can be pretty tough, especially if math isn’t your favorite subject. WPI, in particular, has a strong emphasis on project-based learning, which means you’ll be working on hands-on projects that can be both rewarding and intense. While some students might find it manageable if they stay organized and really engage with the material, others might feel the pressure, especially during exam times. So, yeah, it’s not a walk in the park, but if you’re passionate about it and willing to put in the effort, it's definitely doable!

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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute tend to make good money?

Looking at these Chemical Engineering grads from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, it seems like they’ve mostly found good opportunities that suggest they’re making decent money. Many of them started in solid engineering roles right out of school and moved into higher positions over the years, with some even taking on management roles or specialized technical jobs as they gained experience. Jobs at companies like IBM, Rolls-Royce, and Thermo Fisher Scientific typically come with pretty good pay, especially as they progress to senior roles. While there are some that have taken a more circuitous path or have roles that might start on the lower end, overall, it looks like they’re well on their way to earning a comfortable living if they stick with it.

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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute). 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