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2001- 2002 Initial Placement of Chemical Engineering Graduates

Each year AIChE conducts a survey of chemical engineering departments to find out where ChemEs go after graduation. Historically, around half of the Bachelors of Science, Masters of Science and Doctorate  graduates find jobs in industry each year, while others go on to graduate school, accept government positions, or return to their home country.

The 2001-2002 survey is based on the responses from approximately 32% of the 172 colleges and universities contacted.

Of the 2001-2002 graduates with a B.S., 38% went into industry, while 22% chose grad school and 2% entered government positions. This year the fate of a fair percentage was unknown. For those with an M.S., 40% opted for industry and 33% entered grad school, leaving 1% to choose government roles and 1% academic employment. The employment of the remaining 25% is unknown. Finally, for those with PhDs, 50% went into industry, with 26% accepting academic employment, 9% going to grad school, and 2% playing government roles. Of the PhDs, only 13% of grads are a mystery.

For those of you wondering which industrial sectors proved most appealing to new ChemEs with bachelors, the following breakdown is provided.

Breakdown of industrial employment for the 37.9% of Bachelors (B.S.) chemical engineering graduates who found work in industry

Bachelors - B.S.  '01-'01 '00-'01 1999 1998
Chemical 30.8% 23.3% 26.7% 26.1%
Fuels 21.3% 15.7% 12.6% 10.8%
Electronics
(e.g., computers, software
development,
chip mfg.) 		4.2% 15.9% 15.6% 11.4%
Food/Consumer Products 11.2% 10.6% 11.4% 14.6%
Materials 2.3% 3.1% 3.3%  6.0% 
Biotech & Related Indus.
(Pharma) 		10.3% 9.3% 6.9% 4.6%
Pulp & Paper 1.1% 2.1% 2.4% 2.9%
Engineering Services -
Design & Construction  		8.0% 5.6% 4.8% 7.2%
*Engineering Services -
Research & Testing 		0.6% 1.8% 2.4%  
Engineering Services -
Environmental Engineering 		3.9% 2.4% 2.6% 2.6%
*Business Services 2.8% 5.8% 6.4%  
Other Industry 3.5% 3.9% 4.8% 13.0%
Public Utilities        0.8% 

*Category added in '99-'00 survey

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The choice inudstrial sector for M.S. graduates was overwhelmingly the chemical sector at approximately 32%, with fuels coming in second.

Breakdown of industrial employment for the 39.9% of Masters (M.S.) chemical engineering graduates who found work in the industry

Masters - M.S. '01-'01 '00-'01 1999 1998
Chemical 31.3% 21.8% 24.1% 25.6%
Fuels 12.5% 7.6% 8.5% 8.3%
Electronics
(e.g., computers, software
development,
chip mfg.) 		7.0% 27.4% 22.8% 12.8%
Food/Consumer Products 3.9% 6.6% 4.5% 9.9%
Materials 4.7% 2.5% 7.1%  13.3% 
Biotech & Related Indus.
(Pharma) 		15.6% 14.7% 14.74% 7.8%
Pulp & Paper 1.6% 1.5% 1.3% 2.2%
Engineering Services -
Design & Construction 		4.7% 6.6% 3.1% 3.9%
*Engineering Services -
Research & Testing 		1.6% 4.1% 4.0%  
Engineering Services -
Environmental Engineering 		11.7% 2.5% 3.6% 3.3%
*Business Services 2.3% 2.0% 2.7%  
Other Industry 3.1% 2.5% 3.6% 12.8%

*Category added in '99-'00 survey

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The sector proven most appealing to 2001-2002 PhDs was electronics, with the chemical sector close behind. Data for other sectors is also provided.

Breakdown of industrial employment for the 50.2% of PhD chemical engineering graduates who found work in the industry

Doctorate - PhD '01-'01 '00-'01 1999 1998
Chemical 24.3% 21.3% 28.4% 25.0%
Fuels 9.9% 10.6% 7.6%  9.9%
Electronics
(e.g., computers, software
development,
chip mfg.) 		25.3% 29.5% 19.0% 14.0%
Food/Consumer Products 0.9% 4.3% 2.8% 9.9%
Materials 2.7% 3.4% 6.2%  10.9% 
Biotech & Related Indus.
(Pharma) 		16.2% 15.9% 19.4% 12.4%
Pulp & Paper 0.9% 1.5% 0.9% 0.0%
Engineering Services -
Design & Construction 		3.6% 1.9% 0.9% 3.0%
*Engineering Services -
Research & Testing 		9.9% 3.4% 5.2%  
Engineering Services -
Environmental Engineering 		0.9% 1.5% 0.5% 1.5%
*Business Services 1.8% 2.9% 6.2%  
Other Industry 3.6% 3.9% 2.8% 11.9%

*Category added in '99-'00 survey

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