An Honest Review About Chemical Engineering

The engineering field in Malaysia is gaining the limelight lately. The increase interest shown by Malaysian students indicates the country’s growth towards Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0).

Malaysia currently has 70,000 registered engineers, according to statistics from the National Council for Scientific Research and Development. We surely hope that you’ll be one of them soon!

Engineering is a broad scope. If you’re looking to specialise in an area of engineering, we recommend Chemical Engineering, an up and coming field that has great potential.

By the words of ACS, a non-profit organisation passionate in chemistry, Chemical Engineering “involves the production and manufacturing of products through chemical processes. This includes designing equipment, systems, and processes for refining raw materials and for mixing, compounding, and processing chemicals.”

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As like all other programmes and careers, chemical engineering also has its ups and downs.

We will break them down for you with an honest review about this industry.

Advantages of chemical engineering

1. You can potentially change the world with chemical engineering jobs

Do you know that chemical engineers play a huge role in ending starvation and diseases?

Many common household items and necessities require a chemical engineer’s touch. Developing these items can be tricky - unethical methods may lead to greenhouse effect and pollution. Hence, you are also helping to save the environment by using alternative technologies.

2. You will improve well-being through biomedical advancements.

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Your role in chemical engineering also involves helping people live healthier, longer lives.

With your expertise, you are able to modernise treatments and diagnosis. This includes creating safer mechanisms for drug delivery and more effective therapy outcomes.

Read more about how chemical engineers can help in biomedicine here.

3. You will be highly employable with a lucrative salary.

In Malaysia, you can earn approximately RM 3,000 to RM 5,800 depending on the size of the company, according to Glassdoor. Meanwhile in the UK, chemical engineers receive some of the highest salaries with an increase of 30% over the last 10 years.

Due to how specific and important the role is to many other industries, chemical engineers also typically earn more than other types of engineers and pure scientists. Trust us, your hard work will pay off!

4. You become an all-rounder with multiple skills.

On top of technical knowledge and skills in chemical engineering, such as chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, materials science and more, you also step into areas indirectly related to the industry: safety, the environment, sustainability, management, economics, computing, information technology, and more.

5. You will never get bored.

Chemical engineering also provides room for creativity. You will encounter projects that require a lot of problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity and research. As every project is different, you will not feel stuck in the same cycle every day.

Moving on to the downside of this field..

Disadvantages of chemical engineering careers

1. You might risk exposing yourself to hazards.

Mixing around chemicals in the laboratory is just part of the job. You will also need to do site visits in chemical processing plants and even mining facilities. 

As accidents cannot be predicted, there is a chance of you being exposed to hazardous chemicals or dangerous physical conditions (explosions, chemical reactions). Hence, it is crucial to always practise safety precautions whenever you are working.

2. It gets stressful at times.

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Dealing with chemicals, making sure safety standards are met, communicating with colleagues and supervisors, troubleshooting issues within a timeframe - all of these can result in a stressful day or week at work. However, it feels rewarding when you get to solve those problems after a long day.

3. It is not a very flexible job.

With deadlines and procedures to follow, the working style of a chemical engineer can be pretty rigid. This career will suit individuals who prefer an organised structure and discipline at work.

Best Universities in Malaysia for Chemical Engineering

Below are universities in Malaysia that offer chemical engineering and chemistry-related courses:

• Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC)
• University of Malaya (UM)
• Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

Check out more courses from EasyUni’s website.