Advice for a New-Grad Process Engineer starting out

[asdt]

I'm new to eng-tips.com, and industry. Just graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering, and am starting out as a Process Engineer working on dyed performance films (similar to the paper roll industry). I'm excited to begin making an impact, but am having trouble figuring out where to begin.

In academia I've always been able to make quantifiable results, with noticeable, quantitative milestones for all my projects, but here I'm not sure what to do, especially just getting started. These days I've been walking around talking to people and examining the processes, but I'm wondering how I can do more.

I would greatly appreciate some guidance from my peers/more experienced [ChemE] PEs here on what steps I should take starting out, to get up to speed and become the best that I can be. I've read threads like eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=194038&page=1" target="_blank">

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=194038&page=1

and they've been really helpful, but I'm hoping for more specific feedback related to my industry or day-to-day tasks.

I've heard that Process Engineers need to look at the big picture, but I can't figure out which part of it to start at!

Thanks so much!

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Sounds like you are starting off as we all did - a bit bewildered and lost at first. This too shall pass.

Just remember - God gave you two ears and one mouth - use in that proportion...

 

[sdz]

You should have a more experienced engineer you can go to for advice. Ask, listen, learn.
Hopefully that engineer will remember when they first started and give you the help you need.
Some day you will be mentoring a new graduate.

 

[hokie66]

We don't have many contributing Chemical Engineers, and to most of us, your type work is a black box. But the principles are the same...you need a good mentor, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

 

[SNORGY]

asdt:

You said:

"These days I've been walking around talking to people and examining the processes...".

Sounds to me like you are doing exactly what you should be doing, and starting exactly where you should be starting.

As for big pictures, as corny as it sounds...the best big pictures are the ones where the attention to detail is paid close-up by the artist, so that when you back up to take a look at them, they look right.

I'd offer help, but to be honest, it sounds to me like you need less help than you might think.

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[asdt]

Thanks everyone so much for the helpful words and advice. Unfortunately there is no formal training program and the entire engineering department here is relatively new, so even the more experienced PEs only have experience from their old positions (which are different processes).

However, I've been setting up meetings with all the important people in the various departments and trying to get out on the floor as much as I can. I'm hoping that this, as well as speaking with my fellow PEs about their experiences, will help me pick things up quickly.

Does anyone have any other advice or tips on what to do? I wanted to thank everyone again for their support, and I'm hoping to be as good of a process engineer as I can, ASAP!

 

[SteveMartin]

It's a bit obvious, but ask your boss what he thinks you should be doing/expects from you. That's what you'll be judged on in the short term, at least.

I've never had a job where my boss didn't have specific expectations of how I was supposed to be productive. As time goes on you learn/find things that aren't in your handed down from on high directives that can be improved, and you can take the initiative to suggest improvements there, but starting with what your superior expects is a good plan until you can discover these things.

 

[delagina]

i work inside a petrochemical plant so i've met a few process engineers. i secretly wanted to be one, if only i could turn back the hands of time, i would have taken up chemical engineering.

 

[bithkits]

Engineering is simply solving a well defined problem using available resources in a logical, efficient manner.

The emphasis here is "well defined problem" which is what you already seem to be doing - walking around and obtaining data/info

I am a young grad (nov 2010), mechanical, working for an electronics company - I am the only mechanical guy here, I don't even have the luxury of working under guys with years under their belt, different prior industries/processes or not.

Point is, if you can define the problem and know what resources are available, then you can solve the problem at hand. The fact that you do not have experience or mentoring simply implies that it will take you longer to do the same job. Just break everything down into identifiable, bounded units and work on one at a time.

Listen bud, the fact that you are willing to ask these questions on here shows that you are motivated and ambitious. You already have the toolset, so use it! The ball is already in motion. You clearly know what should be done. What are you worried about?

Adriaan.
I am a Mechatronics Engineer/part time Master's student from South Africa.

http://www.martin-electronics.co.za