<p>I am in need of some sound advice here.</p>
<p>I am almost done with my core engineering courses,and now I bet I have to make the decision soon.I am on civil btw,but after doing a little research myself,it really is not giving me a good picture.Low salary being the biggest here,but hearing that experience is more important than anything is really making me uncomfortable.I hear people say that you need atleast 10 years of experience before you to start to get a great job and salary.</p>
<p>Petroleum engineering has a lot of money,but that's for drilling.I don't really see myself going to that field,but how bad is it?is it really worth going for all that trouble just to earn more?</p>
<p>Chemical Engineering.So far have been hearing it is the most flexible,and salary wise closer to PE.I don't know anyone on Chemical,so can anyone give me some advice on it?How the overall field is(compared to the others) and will it be still worth 10 years from now?</p>
<p>I chose PE and ChemE because chemistry interests me a lot.My parents want me to go to civil,but I am holding the brakes here.</p>
<p>So many views yet no reply?Come on.</p>
<p>Well, for what it’s worth, here’s my opinion about it: </p>
<p>Civil Engineer: A Civil engineer’s job prospect is mainly based around the residential construction industry which is mainly based around the residential real estate market. I don’t know if you’ve heard yet, but this country–since 2008–has been in a little thing called a housing crisis. Please don’ let this statement deter your motives–if Obama keeps his promise of rebuilding America’s badly needed infrastructure, you could ,very well land a great job in the public sector. Judging by the fact that you have a particular interest in chemistry, I just don’t think Civil is good fit for you: the two have nothing to do with each other. </p>
<p>Petroleum Engineer: Good profession if you can land a job. How do you land a job? Easier said than done: good pete school, high gpa, internships (early), connections and of course, high crude oil demand upon graduation. A lot of it depends on you the student, but a lot of it depends on forces beyond your control; which makes it most risky of the three. Also, a Petroleum Engineer’s lifestyle (especially the drillers) isn’t for everyone: very high salary, but it’s a bit on the rustic side. </p>
<p>Chemical Engineer: A very good profession… in certain regions the nation a Chemical Engineer’s jobs prospect is recession proof; it’s entry level salary is above average for most college grads and if you want to do (upstream/pete work) you do have that option as well. Again, if you like chemistry, I see no reason why chemical engineering wouldn’t be a good fit. </p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Civil engineer’s job prospect are certainly not mainly based around the residential construction industry. Depending on what type of civil you are in, you could not even come into contact with that area. Civil doesn’t use a ton of chemistry, except for Materials and Environmental in civil which are sub disciplines. There’s a lot of chemistry in the mixing on concrete and steel production for materials, and environmental uses a lot of chemistry as well (Environmental makes quite a bit considering all these new environmental laws).</p>
<p>I would recommend Chemical Engineering if you are interested in chemistry. You will also bank.</p>
<p>I am from TX,so will chemical engineering do it here for me?The thing,taking PE and doing drilling is not something I know I will like(even though I like the money and chemistry…lol the way I put it there).</p>
<p>My brother is telling me to go PE since its TX and easily will be recruited here(exxon,chevron,etc),but I am still considering it.ChemE seems like a nice option,and so far sounds the best for me.</p>
<p>Let me know if you guys have any more input.The more the better!!</p>
<p>If you got a ChemE degree you would be recruited by Exxon and Chevron as well. In fact, I bet they hire more ChemE majors than they do petroleum. You are in a hotspot in Texas, especially Houston. The amount of petroleum and chemical companies in Houston is huge.</p>
<p>I am agreeing with the other posters here. Base on the information you gave, ChemE seems to be the right degree for you. It is a very versatile degree and you can find opportinities in many industries.</p>