Newly Graduated Chemical Engineer looking for work

Porchdog · 07-18-2015, 04:44 PM

I just thought someone here might have a lead

My oldest son graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Florida Institute of Technology this spring. He's still looking for a Job.

It appears that things are pretty tight in that field right now. Apparently low oil and natural gas prices have an effect. Here in south-east PA there have been major employers shedding jobs (Like Air Products), so there are lots of experienced guys on the market and not many openings.

He was originally hoping to be in this area or in central Florida, but he's willing to relocate for a good opportunity. His minor was nanotechnology. He was thinking he'd like to go for the pharma or food industries, but he's willing to try other things.

He has been talking to some oil industry acquaintances in New Orleans and there seems to be a local opportunity about to be posted in plastic extrusion.

Natural gas is in a slump here right now but lots of people seem to think there will be opportunity in CNG.

I appreciate any leads you could send my way.

A930Rocket · 07-18-2015, 04:50 PM

No leads but Good Luck!

M.D. Holloway · 07-18-2015, 06:27 PM

Willing to move?

Porchdog · 07-18-2015, 07:11 PM

He's willing to move.

He's currently living at home. It's comfortable here, but I'm sure he would prefer anything else.

Thanks

chocolatelab · chocolatelab's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porchdog

He's willing to move.

He's currently living at home. It's comfortable here, but I'm sure he would prefer anything else.

Thanks

This is so great. i feel like there are more layers to peel back here.

Good luck to him. Jeez you would think with those degrees and acolades he would be snatched up. Scary.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porchdog

My oldest son graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Florida Institute of Technology this spring. He's still looking for a Job.

Congratulations! He'll get a job. That's a good background education and he has done well at it. He may not find a job in his chosen career path right away, but he's young and has a great foundation. He'll find something!

Drbraunsr · 07-18-2015, 07:57 PM

3M is a great industrial manufacturing company and is a Mecca for engineers, Chem E's especially.
3m dot com. search the site for opportunities.

Instrument 41 · 07-18-2015, 08:06 PM

The corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is growing. Currently there are 285 chem plants and associated facilities in the area. Exxon Mobil in Baton Rouge, refinery and Chem Plant are looking for folks. LOTS of work in the Baton rouge area. Also check the Houston TX area's. About 12 years ago there was mass exodus of engineering headquarters from Louisiana that moved to Houston.

M.D. Holloway · 07-18-2015, 08:27 PM

I have an immediate opening in Houston. Its an inside sales job in oil and fuel analysis which will transition to outside sales and then a business manager position. He will work with major oil companies as well as folks in oil & gas, industrial, mines, big fleet, off shore. Some travel. Sends me a PM.

LEAKYSEALS951 · 07-19-2015, 02:21 AM

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking with a retired chemical engineer.
We spoke at some length about his career and his life. He worked at three locations across the country as a chemical engineer, and said the key was a willingness to move, and that with the projects he worked on, there was always the eventual realization that whatever he had set up eventually worked, and he was no longer needed at that location in his original engineering capacity. He was raising a large family and told stories of how the family did with each new move. He said the key was being flexible and having a supporting family. Eventually he retired from chemical engineering and became a builder, which he did until he retired. Sitting poolside at the local country club with his wife doing laps, I think he did okay!

KFC911 · 07-19-2015, 03:19 AM

Getting that "first job" is tricky....if he's willing to relocate and get his foot in the door, then the $ and everything else will happen naturally with his background

....best of luck to him in his search!

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Congrats from another Panther (got my undergrad from FL Tech). I'd say make sure he gets a first job someplace he really likes living and wants to spend his life in. Once he starts and makes connections / contacts there it makes it harder to relocate. Of course if he eventually wants to do grad school it doesn't matter so much.

Porchdog · 07-19-2015, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chocolatelab

This is so great. i feel like there are more layers to peel back here.

Good luck to him. Jeez you would think with those degrees and acolades he would be snatched up. Scary.

That may not have been the most elegant wording.

After a couple years away at school, the last few in a house with his buddies, living with the parents has to be less than ideal. Having said that, we're getting along fine.

One of my Engineering professors claimed that an Engineer has an average of 5 different employers during his career. I'm not quite there yet. I did look quite a while before I landed my first job (in the mid-80's).

I've noticed that a lot of the bright young men I see graduating with Engineering degrees need to look a while to get that first job. He's stressing over it more than his mother or I - we'd like to see him get interesting work.

I have contacts in the process field and in industry around here - I had always figured he would get something pretty quick. My leads have turned up dry so far - at least in this area there seem to be a lot more guys looking than jobs waiting.

Thanks guys!

Porchdog · 07-20-2015, 06:01 AM

Thanks to M. D. Holloway and MRM.

Matt appreciates the help!

sammyg2 · 07-20-2015, 07:33 AM

Refineries are always looking for young engineers to replace the retiring old farts.
starting pay should be around $80 to 90k for fresh out of school.

Hugh R · 07-20-2015, 12:10 PM

Starting at 80 to 90k nice.

Porchdog · 07-20-2015, 02:04 PM

That sounds great to both he and I.

The refineries around the Delaware and Chesapeake bays don't seem to be replacing anyone.

Thanks Guys.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Is this a bachelor degree?

How about the professor / university network?

I'd look at the West Coast. Generally there is plenty to do out in CA ...

G

sammyg2 · 07-20-2015, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porchdog

That sounds great to both he and I.

The refineries around the Delaware and Chesapeake bays don't seem to be replacing anyone.

Thanks Guys.

Getting into a refinery is all about timing.
They open their doors for a couple days a year, so ya gotta be ready to pounce. Constant monitoring of web sites etc.
But once you are in it's a very good long term gig.

sammyg2 · 07-20-2015, 03:29 PM

Valero is looking for a process engineer for their Memphis and also for their Three rivers Texas refinery.
https://valero.taleo.net/careersection/2/joblist.ftl

(shhhhhh, it's a secret, but they actually TEACH young engineers most of what they need to know).

Tesoro is also very aggressive when going after young engineers.
They actually have people who's job it is to RECRUIT young engineers from schools.
Students and Recent Graduates | TSOCORP