Due to the transferable skills chemical engineers learn at university, they're employed across a huge

range of sectors including energy, healthcare, food, water and many more.

Chemical engineers often work in multi-disciplinary teams with mechanical, electrical and other types of
engineer as projects benefit from different perspectives and areas of expertise. They need to make
decisions concerning:

 which reaction pathway should be used to make the product

 how to purify the desired product

 how to control the process and ensure it's safe

 how to make the process cost effective

 what should be done with any by-products formed

 how to reduce the amounts of unwanted by-products

 what to do with unreacted raw materials

 how to recycle energy within the process.

Chemical engineers also develop solutions to environmental problems, such as pollution control and
remediation.

And yes, they process chemicals, which are used to make or improve just about everything you see
around you.

Chemical engineers who work in business and management offices often visit research and production
facilities. Interaction with other people and team collaboration are critical to the success of projects
involving chemical engineering.