Mech Eng or Chem Eng?

6

Wondering if it's worth doing Chem Eng instead of Mech. I was thinking of Mech at first but I've talked to an engineer and he said that Chem is more prestigious and likely to be paid higher.
I don't really care for prestige but I know Chemical engineers are paid higher because they usually work in oil & gas but there are less jobs than Mech. Is chemical worth going even though oil is on a decline?

Chem Eng tends to have lower grade boundaries too so I'm thinking it'd be a safer option. I'm not sure if it's most unis but I heard in Manchester and Glasgow they allow you to change discipline in the 1st/2nd year if you've got good enough grades.

Reply 1

hotpud

18

The two professions are very different. I think that is the thing you need to consider. You can be well paid in either. Not sure what prestige has to do with anything though. Who honestly cares. Also, add to process engineering jobs, pharmaceutics, nuclear, water treatment, food manufacture and pretty much anything that sees the industrial process involving the manipulation and mixing of substances and liquids.

Reply 2

sdthfyjgk

7

Starting from today please forget about prestige, forget about uni ranks and forget about comparing yourself to others, otherwise you will regret it 10 years later like me.
Money is important, but (not financial advice) maybe investing in stocks? starting small?
I believe the most important thing is to do what you enjoy, typically (for me atleast) I enjoy things I am good at.
Are you better at Chemistry alevels or Mechanics in maths? Which do you enjoy more? Do you prefer making things? Do you find you would be able to do manual labour for long hours (I think the oil industry is really hard on your body)
Do note I am into CSi/ EEE so I cant comment specifics, and I keep failing also, so... But I think its most important to do what you enjoy and GET YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE
Also find out if its possible to transfer between the different engineering specifics, I think usually you have 1 month in first year to switch, but you can confirm with the staff at uni as you are applying

Reply 3

m3t4noi4

OP

6

Original post

by sdthfyjgk

Starting from today please forget about prestige, forget about uni ranks and forget about comparing yourself to others, otherwise you will regret it 10 years later like me.
Money is important, but (not financial advice) maybe investing in stocks? starting small?
I believe the most important thing is to do what you enjoy, typically (for me atleast) I enjoy things I am good at.
Are you better at Chemistry alevels or Mechanics in maths? Which do you enjoy more? Do you prefer making things? Do you find you would be able to do manual labour for long hours (I think the oil industry is really hard on your body)
Do note I am into CSi/ EEE so I cant comment specifics, and I keep failing also, so... But I think its most important to do what you enjoy and GET YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE
Also find out if its possible to transfer between the different engineering specifics, I think usually you have 1 month in first year to switch, but you can confirm with the staff at uni as you are applying

Hi, thank you for responding. I don't care about prestige, but it is something the engineer I asked said and thought it was relevant. But I do care about uni rankings, since youre more likely to get a job application and quality of teaching etc.

Honestly, I enjoy chemistry more but I heard that chemical engineering doesn't involve a lot of chemistry, at least until you get into your 3rd year iirc, and even then it's minimal? It's not like i don't enjoy mechanics, but I am better at understanding chemistry but I don't think I want to pursue anything related to chemistry in the future.

Yea most unis I apply to allow switching between engineering disciplines since you cover the same stuff the first years. Would it be better to get more work experience in the summer too, I did a 5 day work experience with with engineering group already. It was mainly at an office and I hate sitting for long hours, so some manual labour would probably be best for me.

Reply 4

UofG Student Rep

Official Rep

11

Original post

by m3t4noi4

Wondering if it's worth doing Chem Eng instead of Mech. I was thinking of Mech at first but I've talked to an engineer and he said that Chem is more prestigious and likely to be paid higher.
I don't really care for prestige but I know Chemical engineers are paid higher because they usually work in oil & gas but there are less jobs than Mech. Is chemical worth going even though oil is on a decline?
Chem Eng tends to have lower grade boundaries too so I'm thinking it'd be a safer option. I'm not sure if it's most unis but I heard in Manchester and Glasgow they allow you to change discipline in the 1st/2nd year if you've got good enough grades.

Hi there,

I'm in my second year of Mechanical Engineering at University of Glasgow. I think the biggest advantage to studying Mech is that you get a really broad engineering education, giving you a strong knowledge of engineering fundamentals and allowing you to then pursue a career in a wide variety of industries.

At Glasgow we do not offer Chemical Engineering, but it is possible in some circumstances to switch between our other engineering disciplines at the end of first year, as the first year of all courses is pretty general.

Hope this helps and best of luck with your decision!
Thanks,
Elise, Student Rep
2nd Year Mechanical Engineering

Reply 5

De Montfort University

Official Rep

17

Original post

by m3t4noi4

Wondering if it's worth doing Chem Eng instead of Mech. I was thinking of Mech at first but I've talked to an engineer and he said that Chem is more prestigious and likely to be paid higher.
I don't really care for prestige but I know Chemical engineers are paid higher because they usually work in oil & gas but there are less jobs than Mech. Is chemical worth going even though oil is on a decline?
Chem Eng tends to have lower grade boundaries too so I'm thinking it'd be a safer option. I'm not sure if it's most unis but I heard in Manchester and Glasgow they allow you to change discipline in the 1st/2nd year if you've got good enough grades.

Hey there , having studied both . I think I can weigh in on this. It genuinely depends on what you want to do . Chemical engineering is essentially process engineering , anything that can be taken from a raw material through a process to a final product will involve a chemical engineer. That means you can work in almost any industry we aren't predominantly in oil and gas even though that's what people think. When I first graduated I work at Vodka company and I have friends who graduated with me who work in Pulp , others in mining , others in making tyres and some even at nestle.
And now I do a mechanical engineering degree and my interest is to work in the renewable energy industry .
Its my opinion that Chemical engineering is a little too vast , it covers many processes and I would advise a masters in an oil & gas specialisation to better get into that industry if it is your interest. If money is your interest I advise you rethink your choice all together because money won't keep you in it for the next 40+ years . Pick an engineering that spikes your interest and that you are passionate about. You can pick the most lucrative industry from there .

I hope this helps
Cece
Energy Engineering
De Montfort university

Mech Eng or Chem Eng?

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