<p>so I'm a sophomore ChemE student attending a certain engineering school in Ithaca, NY. I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do when I got here, so I decided to do ChemE b/c I'd heard tons of good things about it (versatile degree, good pay, excellent job prospects, etc.). everything's been fine until now... when I realized I ultimately want to live and work near NYC. it's where I call home, and it's hard to see myself settling down anywhere else. </p>
<p>problem: most ChemE jobs are NOT near NYC. staying ChemE my whole life means that there's a good chance I'd have to permanently relocate, something I don't want to do. am I in the wrong major now? I never considered location when choosing my major, but I think this could be a real issue.</p>
<p>in order to stay in NYC (and also to further my career), I'm thinking about going into consulting or management after I graduate, which would mean I'd have to go to b-school. but what if I don't get in? could a ChemE go into the business world without a MBA?</p>
<p>also, how would prospective ChemE employers feel if I told them that my ultimate goal was to pursue business and not ChemE? wouldn't they rather hire the guy who is set on doing ChemE? what if they ask me why, then, am I majoring in ChemE and not something like ORIE (which is kind of like a business major for engineers here)? I feel like I'm stepping off the beaten path now. I did ChemE b/c it's the "safer" major, but I'm not sure that's the thing employers want to hear.</p>
<p>I'm one of those people who'd be capable in any field, but don't really have any dying passion. I guess it's coming back to haunt me here.</p>
<p>Versatile is the key word in your post. Thinking that ChemEs only have to become process engineers or whatever is making you a hypocrit. The degree teaches you to think critically, gives you strong analytical skills, and turn you into a natural problem solver; these are all things sought after in any field. I have a ChemE degree and am currently persuing my MBA and will be leaving the manufacturing arena as soon as I get it, and was in the same boat you were... only after I got the BS, and I've compiled the following list of Engineers working in non-technical roles at Sr. Management levels. My favorite, not on the list, is Ajit Jain. Mr. Jain runs several of Warren Buffet's reinsurance companies and is being considered to fill Buffet's shoes when he retires/dies. Mr. Jain has an engineering degree.</p>
<p>The List:</p>
<p>Sy Sternberg, EE - CEO NY Life Insurance
Ramani Ayer, ChemE. – CEO Hartford Financial
Robert H. Bernmosche, self confessed Techie – CEO MetLife
George A. Schaefer, Jr., Eng – CEO 5th 3rd Bancorp.
Cassio Casselo Lima, Eng. – CEO Banco de Brazil
Alston D. Correll, ChemE. – CEO Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Gary D. Forsee, Civil – CEO Sprint
Timothy Koogle, Mech. – Yahoo!
Alan J. Lacy, ChemE. – CEO Sears
Robert Nardelli, Manuf. – CEO Chrysler
Sten R. Rogel, ChemE. – Weyerhaeuser
Walter Scott Jr., Civil – Berkshire
Ajit Jain, Mech. – B-H Reinsurance Group
Mukesh Ambani, ChemE. – Reliance (India conglomerate)
Tom Wurtz, Eng. – CFO, Wachovia Bank
Ian T. Lowitt, EE – Sr. Management, Lehman Brothers
L. Lowry Mays, Petro Eng. – Chairman, Clear Channel Communication
Bruce Robertson, ChemE (PhD) – HIG Ventures (VC)</p>
<p>My advice; do what you want. Get the ChemE degree and look for jobs in consulting, they exist, work for two years and them apply for your MBA.</p>
<p>Japher you forget current Mayor Michael Bloomberg of NYC and the founder of: About</a> Bloomberg: he was an electrical engineering major and is being pushed by many to run for president as an independent.</p>
<p>Nice list, Japher. I've been meaning to compile a list of all the CEO's or people in top positions, such as CIO, CFO, and see how many of them are actually engineers. Is there one available already?</p>
<p>I actually was going through CEO lists and searching companies "about us" section or "corporate governance" bio pages to try and find only those CEOs with engineering backgrounds/degrees but work in a non-technical company (i.e. finance, business, insurance, etc.). There were a lot more Sr. Execs with engineering degrees that worked for technical companies though. Feel free to add to the list.</p>
<p>True, not many traditional ChemE process jobs are in NYC. But the surrounding tri-state area has chemical and pharmaceutical industries. And NYC is home to countless consulting firms.</p>
<p>If your interest is in business, it's OK to say that you'd like to move up into the company's management...maybe pursue an MBA, etc. </p>
<p>The ChemE degree allows you such a wide variety of career options, and possibilities are endless. Why would you want to be among the countless number of business/finance grads, anyway? You'll stand out more with the ChemE degree.</p>
<p>thanks a ton for the help guys. I really appreciate it. yeah, I think my true interest lies somewhere in business. I'm planning on doing a minor in Eng. Management.</p>
<p>so what kind of jobs should I be going for now? traditional ChemE jobs? when should I start looking at consulting jobs/internships?</p>