Is Chlor Alkali the right start for me as an engineer? 5

[brownplayboy310]

I have a degree in Chem E but have yet to really use it due to lack of job opportunities. I searched for Chem E jobs but I the companies that called me back more quickly were labs looking for chemsits. Suddenly I have been getting lots of calls and e-mails, but my current lab job is paying me about 80k a year (because I work hourly at a plant with lots of overtime) making me hesitant to leave unless the position is really good.

Right now one of the positions that is showing a lot of interest is as a chlor alkali process engineer. I'm wondering, does this position seem like the first step in a very promising career? How will this field compare to other process engineer positions? I am worried that since caustic soda does not seem to have huge profit margins that as the years go by I won't be as financially rewarded as I would in other positions. On the plus side they seem very interested and say they haven't had layoffs because they don't go through hiring cycles.

Another company showing some interest (basically was told I might be hired depending on if the company lands a contract) is an EPC company. The work seems much more intriguing to me, mainly because I like the idea of having a finished physical structure that you can look at as the end result of your work. Also I think this might be more profitable long term. The downside is the hiring manager told me that it's highly cyclical.

Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.

 

[ShaggyPE]

Sounds to me like the first opportunity is less risky, but also has less potential to be rewarding. The second opportunity is the opposite. You are early in your career... I say go for the riskier option... this is assuming you have means to fall back on (parents, room mates, bit of savings).

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks

 

[IRstuff]

One thing you should change is your handle. Now that you are out of school, using handles containing "playboy" does not exactly present a professional image.

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[TD2K]

I'd go with the EPC opportunity. The hiring manager is correct, it is highly cyclical but you will get a variety of experience though the experience for a new engineer will depend on what jobs they currently have.

The downside is that there is little formal training in engineering companies, it's on the job for the most part. Don't expect to get sent out on formal training courses like a lot of operating companies will provide.

I think you will be more limited with chlor-alkali experience as it is more specialized if you want to later move into other areas of engineering. Of course, the flip side is that if you do a good job, you may well get the opportunity to move into management and up through the company.

One advantage in the EPC world is to be flexible. If an opportunity comes up, consider taking it. Don't be rigid in what you will do.

 

[Twoballcane]

I agree with TD2K that you have to be flexible in this economy at the moment. Also, any experience in your field is good experience. It’s not like you will be locked in for life with one job. You have 40 years in front of you to fill. However, when the economy gets better, being specialized is the way to a higher salary.

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
“Luck is where preparation meets opportunity”

 

[tz101]

"However, when the economy gets better, being specialized is the way to a higher salary."

Drawback to that is that you are pigeon-holed into only one or two tightly defined roles with few options for advancement or outside opportunities. Often, being diversified in your abilities will open more doors.

 

[lacajun]

There is nothing like working in a real plant to learn. You'll get things in a chlor alkali plant you won't get in other places. You'll learn things you can use in other industries. I appreciate all of the knowledge I gained by working in PPG's chlor alkali plants. I've used that knowledge in other processes.

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC