What is Chemical Engineering?

Chemical engineering is always about systems thinking and designing processes. What do I mean by systems thinking? It’s about studying all individual components in a setting (factory) understanding how they all affect each other and how you can manipulate them to do effective work. Whenever you produce products, a process has to be implemented to effectively convert the raw materials into the desired product. Chemical engineers are involved in the design of the process. I chose to study
chemical engineering because I wanted one day to be involved in renewable energy sectors and play a role in combating the Carbon dioxide emissions. In high school, I enjoyed chemistry and maths and chemical was a degree that would combine the 2 subjects.

Chemical engineering has taught me some problems solving techniques, decision making and human interaction skills. We all encounter problems on a daily basis and deal with people and they might not even be academic but the engineering thinking and mind-set can be applied to attain the best
possible result. As a chemical engineer, you are also taught presentation and public speaking skills therefore it increases your self-confidence even in your daily endeavours.

Chemical engineering is quite a tough degree but it pushes you as an individual to attain your full potential. You work on real life projects from day 1 designing major equipment in teams that works in factories. So, you will also learn the component of teamwork which is important for anyone that aspires to work for an established company.

The challenges faced studying Chemical engineering is the short time available to grasp intellectually challenging concepts. So, you have to ensure you have a tight knit of friends in class that you can seek council from. I enjoy the project work and how it’s helped me improve my problem-solving skills and self-confidence.

It has actually taken me a while to figure out what I wanted to do with the degree I’m attaining. So, don’t panic if you not sure what you want to do. But I have set my eyes on working in the renewable energy sector. I would like to be involved in helping Southern Africa adapt to carbon friendly sources of energy.

What are your subjects of interest? Is Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics part of list? If yes then chemical engineering is an option you should consider. You can only prepare for university studies by working hard in your high school years because chemical engineering is a competitive program to be admitted into.

You are going to be further informed than I am because I didn’t really know the essentials of chemical engineering. I would advise you to look at EBE UCT chemical engineering site: http://www.ebe.uct.ac.za/ebe/study/chemeng

“Good things are hard to get” this has always reminded me that it’s not supposed to be easy when
going through challenging times. So, perseverance and teamwork will help you overcome the
challenges.