<p>I'm a senior in high school and I'm exploring many different career fields. I'm thinking about becoming a Chem.E, but I don't know if I possess the right skills for it. I heard that engineers are supposed to be good at building things and putting things together, but I'm horrible at both. I once had an assignment in 10th grade to build something out of popsicle sticks and I REALLY struggled with it. </p>
<p>Am I suited for chemical engineering? Please be honest guys.</p>
<p>You really won’t do much building as an engineer. Some professions may have more building than others, but you can most definitely get a job that will require you to never build anything. As an EE, I had to build circuits quite regularly… not sure what ChemE students would build (other than maybe some lab experiments).</p>
<p>You need to be good in math and physics. You need to master themodynamics, kinetics, transport phenomena, unit operations, process control, etc. ChemEs are called the “universal engineers”.</p>
<p>I know you have to be good at math and physics, but I just want to know if I can be a Chem.E if I’m horrible at building things and putting things together.</p>
<p>edit: It’d be great to hear from actual Chem. E’s</p>
<p>Engineering isn’t a job where you work with your hands. It’s designing.</p>
<p>That’s good to hear; I keep breaking stuff in wood shop.</p>
<p>Engineerjw,</p>
<p>Engineering is actually very hands on. A lot of engineers operate milling machines and lathes to build prototypes. We install hardware, remove hardware, write procedures to installing and removal. Engineers do a ton of hands on work.</p>
<p>Coolguy,</p>
<p>Rest assured that we don’t build things from popsicle sticks, so it’s ok if that isn’t your forte. (In seriousness, you will mature a lot between now and the time you graduate. The main requirements is an interest and skill in math and science. The rest will come over time.)</p>
<p>^is it same for chem.E’s or just for mech. engineers?</p>
<p>My younger S is also interested in Chem E :)</p>
<p>[What</a> Does a Chemical Engineer Do?](<a href=“What does a Chemical Engineer do? (with pictures)”>What does a Chemical Engineer do? (with pictures))</p>
<p>Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Much what of what a chemical engineer does happened inside a pipeline or tank. A chemical engineer does not have to install a pipe, tank or pump but determine they correct size and material for someone else to install. </p>
<p>An undergraduate program for chemical engineering will include 5-6 courses in chemistry.</p>