A degree in chemical engineering can open the door to many exciting and fulfilling career options. Many of the positions that are available for chemical engineers allow you to explore different aspects of the industry while playing an integral role in this field. Here are four potential career paths for chemical engineers.

Research Engineer

Chemical research engineers are needed to develop experimental programs using a variety of chemical mixtures. If you choose to work in this position, you’ll be responsible for devising and implementing testing programs for research purposes. You’ll also need to record detailed documentation of your findings to be used for the development of new chemical mixtures and components that can help in the fields of science, medicine and other industries in many ways.

Pharmaceutical Engineer

If creating new medications sounds exciting to you, working as a pharmaceutical engineer will likely be an excellent career choice. This specialized field of chemical engineering involves developing new pharmaceuticals to treat a variety of medical conditions and improving on existing ones to give patients even better treatments. Your employer should purchase electric mixers for you and your colleagues to use to mix certain chemicals to create each new drug.

Project Manager

Another option is to take a position as a chemical engineer project manager, which may be ideal if you enjoy working in a supervisory role. It will be your job to oversee teams of chemical engineers who are responsible for working on various projects that may include providing service to a wide range of industries. You’ll need to make sure that all projects are completed in a timely manner and that all work is performed accurately to minimize the risks of making serious mistakes.

Technical Sales Representative

You can also use your knowledge in chemical engineering to sell products that are used in the industry. If customers run into technical difficulties with their equipment, you can provide support to help them solve their problems. In addition to having a chemical engineering degree, many employers require a strong background in sales when looking for qualified candidates to fill positions.

There are many ways that you can apply your chemical engineering degree and knowledge to benefit society. No matter what aspect of chemical engineering that you choose to work in, you are sure to find many rewards in your experience and develop skills that can be applied toward other positions should you choose to change careers in the field.