CBE20290 - Career Choices for Chemical Engineers

As you have undoubtedly already figured out, Chemical Engineering is a demanding major. Your courses will prepare you to solve complex technical problems of importance to society, to do so ethically, to work in teams, and to communicate effectively. Those skills can take your career in an almost unlimited number of directions. This course is designed to expose you to some of those many options and to provide some of the professional skills needed to pursue them. Specifically, the learning goals of this 1 credit course are:

1. to be exposed to chemical engineering career options, through interactions with alumni who have preceeded you in this journey
2. to begin to discern options that are appealling to you
3. to develop professional networking and presentation skills that will help get you where you want to go

Format

The course will be conducted in person in 136 DBRT. Weeks 1-2 will focus on professional skill development. Weeks 3-14 will involve a series of virtual panel discussions with alumni of the department. Each panel will focus on one sector, such as pharmaceuticals, energy, foods, personal care, \ldots. A group of students (you!) will introduce the topic and interview the visitors. Each of you will have a chance to participate in one of the panels.

\noindent Shared course materials available on Google Drive and on GitHub.

Schedule

January 20	Course Introduction / Career Center overview	Chris Washko, Career Center
January 27	Career Panels Interviewing / Networking	Joe Plant Frank Kelly
February 3	Alumni Panel: Professional/Grad School	student interviewer team
February 10	Alumni Panel: Oil & Gas	student interviewer team
February 17	Alumni Panel: Foods	student interviewer team
February 24	Alumni Panel: Chemicals	student interviewer team
March 3	Alumni Panel: Pharmaceuticals	student interviewer team
March 10	Alumni Panel: Consumer Goods
March 17	Spring Break
March 24	Alumni Panel: Entrepreneurship	student interviewer team
March 31	Alumni Panel: Consulting	student interviewer team
April 7	Good Friday
April 14	Alumni Panel: Biotech	student interviewer team
April 21	Alumni Panel: Info Tech	student interviewer team
April 28	Alumni Panel: Energy/Renewable	student interviewer team

Assignments

Due January 18	Career Reflection
Due January 25	Interview Questions
Rolling basis	Career Panel	pdf
Due May 5	Final Reflection

Grading

The course is graded S/U. To receive an S, you must complete all assignments.

Mental Health

Care and Wellness Consultants provide support and resources to students who are experiencing stressful or difficult situations that may be interfering with academic progress. Through Care and Wellness Consultants, students can be referred to The University Counseling Center (for cost-free and confidential psychological and psychiatric services from licensed professionals), University Health Services (which provides primary care, psychiatric services, case management, and a pharmacy), and The McDonald Center for Student Well Being (for problems with sleep, stress, and substance use). Visit https://care.nd.edu.

Professional courtesy

1. Arrive at each session on time, early if possible.
2. Turn your camera on. Make sure you are sitting up and acting professionally.
3. Dress appropriately.
4. Research the organization, the presenters’ backgrounds, or industries. Be prepared!
5. You can ask questions through the chat or by unmuting yourself. Participate!
6. Say thank you…by unmuting yourself or following up with the alumni/speaker in an email.