Thinking of quitting my chemist job to go back for a engineering 2

[Chem24]

I'm considering a career change into engineering, most likely mechanical. I'd like to hear what actual working engineers think about my plans and maybe add some insight.

I'll skip a ton for back story and just get to the details. I have a BS and MS in chemistry and I've been an organic chemist at a pharmaceutical company for a little over two years. I've pretty much made up my mind to quit my job and go back to school for mechanical or materials. I'm really leaning toward a MSME degree over the equivalent materials degree. I think that my MS in chem (inorganic specifically) is going to overlap a bit too much with materials. If I'm going to quit my job to do this I really want to be learning something new. I'm also hoping that having an MS in chem and ME would make it easy for me to find a job in either ME or materials.

That's plan A so far. Here's plan B:

For whatever reason I don't get accepted to a MS program I plan on getting a BS. The problem is that financial aid for a second BS is pretty much nonexistent. This will make it very expensive both in opportunity cost and paying tuition out of pocket. I've managed to save up enough to pay a few years of out of state tuition if it's needed. I've also heard that a BS might be required for me to eventually take the PE exam? I'm not completely sure what the value of the PE is so it's difficult to tell how this should factor into my decision.

 

[FeX32]

Al right, with course credits for 2 years I agree with you.

The interest is a big factor as well. That's a good point.


Fe

 

[Chem24]

Thanks again for all the comments. I'm still trying to process all my options. I have a lot to consider.

I've though that there might be a spot for me in medical device companies with a background in chem and ME. That would be several years out and from my experience (at least in chem) these jobs can be quite volatile. Doesn't sound like a bad plan to target these jobs considering I know several people in the area.

The PhD in chem is actually not all that far off. I could finish it in 3-4 years. The school I got my MS from also offers a PhD. I was admitted to the MS by choice (not a consolation degree) and I know they would have me back if I wanted. A friend of mine decided to finish his MS and do the PhD. He's graduating this summer (hopefully) three years later. The downside is that a PhD would make me even less employable. There are tons of very well qualified PhD grads sitting in postdocs right now waiting for jobs. Honestly though I've seen how chemists get treated by companies and I want nothing to do with this field anymore.

 

[lacajun]

Some plants have labs for chemists. I've known some and they were treated good. They didn't complain either and didn't have the headaches of engineers running projects in the plant, hitting ROI, dealing with union employees, new designers, construction, etc. You'll have issues anywhere you go so enjoy what you do.

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

 

[SAITAETGrad]

If you were in Canada you could take the "technical examinations" as you have a related degree. Credit would be given against the tech exam curriculum. This is a different and longer entry than the FE examination.

It's also the route I'm taking. I'm not sure if there is a similar system in the US...but there should be.