Career Readiness
Chemical engineering graduates can seek national and global careers, and may work in an office environment, the outdoors, an industrial plant or a combination of these. Some industries and careers that chemical engineers are involved in include:
- biotechnology industries (e.g. biofuel production, production of nutrients from microalgae)
- pharmaceutical industries (e.g. production of vaccines and antibiotics)
- winemaking
- food production (e.g. beer, milk, cheese)
- petrochemicals (e.g. oil refining and natural gas processing)
- industrial bulk chemicals industries (e.g. production of chlorine and explosives)
- personal and home care products (e.g. production of detergents, soaps and cosmetics)
- plastic and rubber products industries (e.g. production of polymers from raw materials such as oil or wood, production of items from polymers ranging from cling film to rainwater tanks to high performance products for building, automotive and aerospace applications)
- mining and minerals processing (e.g. concentrating minerals, production of iron ore, steel, aluminium, uranium and similar from minerals)
- environmental engineering (e.g. air pollution control, water and wastewater treatment, waste disposal, resource management)
- semiconductors and microelectronics (e.g. production of computer memory and central processing units, flat screen televisions)
- nanotechnology (e.g. production of nanoporous materials for catalysis, separations and energy storage)
- management consulting (e.g. engineering business and financial management).
Many chemical engineers go on to manage companies, or start their own businesses.
The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.
Graduate Attributes
The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University
of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.
- Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
- Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Professionalism and leadership readiness
- Intercultural and ethical competency
- Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
- Digital capabilities
- Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Potential careers
Manufacturing Engineer,
Mining Engineer,
Biotechnology,
Biotechnology Engineer,
Pharmaceutical Engineering,
Food Engineer,
Winery Engineer