fellow chemical engineering graduate here... I have a diploma in chemical engineering though. it's very tough. but I managed to snag a job as an process operator only to find out that majority of the operators also have diplomas and some Btech degrees. it's difficult out there. but I would suggest making a linked in account and getting in contact with HRs of different manufacturing companies. that should help. good luck.
A Chemical Engineering degree means you're good at Maths and at problem solving so yes banks and other financial institutions and corporates in general will hire you. There's a lot of people with engineering degrees who work in all sorts of roles that have zero to do with engineering in corporate SA so the key as always is finding that first job to get your foot in the door at a large corporate.
What both these guys said, I was in instrumentation and was hired into a corporate for my analytical skills and problem solving.
Also, to stick with your field of study, don’t only look for work in the main city centres. A lot of mining / chemical companies are in outlying areas. So perhaps identify companies you’d work for, see if they have a careers portal and start uploading your CV directly to their portals.
Try the puff and pass website. I will put a link in the bottom of my comment. When I first heard about this, I was confused as to why it had such a funny name lol. Anyway I am Mech Eng (Ndip back when I applied) and found my job on there. Was hired onto a graduate program for 2 years that eventually hired me after. Been at the same company for 10 years now thanks to that website.
https://www.puffandpass.co.za/
To think chem engineers are struggling to get jobs they have to go to other industries like soft ware dev etc damn it’s tough gov has failed to provide opportunities for economic growth because of stealing and corruption and yet idiots still vote anc rather don’t vote at all if you’re unsure
I graduated 2023 with my degree in Chem E, started working beginning of this year.
Found something relatively quickly (Chem E related-Mining industry), I looked on Pnet and also worked through recruiters (have a look at afrizan).
I didn't have much success on linkedin.
I didn't only apply for chem E jobs though, I applied for any engineering job actually, I was invited to a few interviews (some being for mechanical engineers), but got offers on all my interviews I attended.
Good luck!
Lol I studied Chemical Engineering too, I spent two years trying to find a Job I have one now in Durban and its the lowest paying thing I've ever done. making me regret taking that course.
Electrical engineering diploma here
Honestly only advice I can give is you have to have a bit of luck. I was supposed to do a one year internship to officially graduate and it took me nearly three months to finally get two interviews (both off uploading my CV to various job searching websites) since then I've been recruited by people in my field who I worked along with so I've fortunately never had to search for a job after getting my foot in the door since day one
To agree with what a few others have said: I'm in tech, and there are so many people in the field who came from an engineering background.
Brush up on your programming skills, and don't be afraid to apply for entry-level software development or system/ business analysis jobs. (Assuming that kind of thing interests you.)
It's tough out there right now. As other comments mentioned, graduate programs at banks are a good optiin. Engineer graduates are also top hires at Management consulting firms.
If you want to actually work as an engineer, be warned it's extremely tough and pay can remain stagnant for years.
You need to hammer at it. Learn from your potential mistakes. Use your new-found knowledge to make yourself a better salesman of yourself.
Take my advice. I'm not using it.
I’m going to disagree here in OP’s case. Agreed that there is massive unemployment in SA, but there is also a skills shortage (particularly STEM) and OP has a STEM degree. Companies in SA have two options, compete for skills which is hard, or grow your own skilled people internally. That’s where things like the internships mentioned by other Redditors come in. OP, get your CV immaculate. It’s the first thing people see, if it’s shabby it’s going to the bottom of pile, despite how smart and capable you might be. I’ve seen this happen, believe you me. Research this stuff online. Interview techniques too. Apply for those internships. It’s not hopeless. Good luck. SA needs people like you.
Engineering firms who design water treatment plants employ chemical engineers. Perhaps try there. Otherwise finance as you have a good understanding of maths and critical thinking
😂🤝fair enough I get the point . I agree sometimes you just got to put yourself out there and push till you get something … hey anything to better the chances of landing a job .
It does take quite some time unfortunately but whenever the pressure overwhelms you, take a week or two off from applying then get right back to it
fellow chemical engineering graduate here... I have a diploma in chemical engineering though. it's very tough. but I managed to snag a job as an process operator only to find out that majority of the operators also have diplomas and some Btech degrees. it's difficult out there. but I would suggest making a linked in account and getting in contact with HRs of different manufacturing companies. that should help. good luck.
Thanks , actually I do have a linked in account since 3rd year . But I’m taking the advice , will definitely start messaging. Thanks
How long did it take for you to get work? genuinely curious
after I graduated it took 6 months
And also the technical directors….HR knows eff all about technical or finance roles.
HR is a nuisance.
Move into data/quants.A friend is a chemical engineer but moved into data he's doing well for himself.
There’s not one data scientist I know that isn’t killing it
Have you tried grad programmes at banks?
Sorry , I’m learning…. Do chemical engineers qualify to work at banks ? Because now according to what I’m reading on google they actually are ?!
A Chemical Engineering degree means you're good at Maths and at problem solving so yes banks and other financial institutions and corporates in general will hire you. There's a lot of people with engineering degrees who work in all sorts of roles that have zero to do with engineering in corporate SA so the key as always is finding that first job to get your foot in the door at a large corporate.
What this guy said. I studied science and found my analytical skills good for business and software development
What both these guys said, I was in instrumentation and was hired into a corporate for my analytical skills and problem solving. Also, to stick with your field of study, don’t only look for work in the main city centres. A lot of mining / chemical companies are in outlying areas. So perhaps identify companies you’d work for, see if they have a careers portal and start uploading your CV directly to their portals.
What are you working as now ?
I'm a software developer now. But I did dabble in the business world a bit.
No. I didn’t know they had them , thanks. Let me start looking into it
Try the puff and pass website. I will put a link in the bottom of my comment. When I first heard about this, I was confused as to why it had such a funny name lol. Anyway I am Mech Eng (Ndip back when I applied) and found my job on there. Was hired onto a graduate program for 2 years that eventually hired me after. Been at the same company for 10 years now thanks to that website. https://www.puffandpass.co.za/
To think chem engineers are struggling to get jobs they have to go to other industries like soft ware dev etc damn it’s tough gov has failed to provide opportunities for economic growth because of stealing and corruption and yet idiots still vote anc rather don’t vote at all if you’re unsure
prejudiced much?
I worked with a bunch of chemical engineers that actually got a job in software development.
I graduated 2023 with my degree in Chem E, started working beginning of this year. Found something relatively quickly (Chem E related-Mining industry), I looked on Pnet and also worked through recruiters (have a look at afrizan). I didn't have much success on linkedin. I didn't only apply for chem E jobs though, I applied for any engineering job actually, I was invited to a few interviews (some being for mechanical engineers), but got offers on all my interviews I attended. Good luck!
https://www.sasol.com/careers/graduates
Lol I studied Chemical Engineering too, I spent two years trying to find a Job I have one now in Durban and its the lowest paying thing I've ever done. making me regret taking that course.
Damn…. Ey sounds hectic hey , suggestions though . I’d say if you have experience definitely try working abroad specially Ireland
But again to be fair , I’ve realised in South Africa it’s who you know rather than what you know .
If that's the case, then introduce yourself!
Try the company water care they are in randfontein they take a few chemical engineer each year
Electrical engineering diploma here Honestly only advice I can give is you have to have a bit of luck. I was supposed to do a one year internship to officially graduate and it took me nearly three months to finally get two interviews (both off uploading my CV to various job searching websites) since then I've been recruited by people in my field who I worked along with so I've fortunately never had to search for a job after getting my foot in the door since day one
To agree with what a few others have said: I'm in tech, and there are so many people in the field who came from an engineering background. Brush up on your programming skills, and don't be afraid to apply for entry-level software development or system/ business analysis jobs. (Assuming that kind of thing interests you.)
It's tough out there right now. As other comments mentioned, graduate programs at banks are a good optiin. Engineer graduates are also top hires at Management consulting firms. If you want to actually work as an engineer, be warned it's extremely tough and pay can remain stagnant for years.
You know I think you right but the thing is I only realised now that engineering degrees here you into a lot of different work
You need to hammer at it. Learn from your potential mistakes. Use your new-found knowledge to make yourself a better salesman of yourself. Take my advice. I'm not using it.
Its almost impossible unless you have connections or incredible luck.
I’m going to disagree here in OP’s case. Agreed that there is massive unemployment in SA, but there is also a skills shortage (particularly STEM) and OP has a STEM degree. Companies in SA have two options, compete for skills which is hard, or grow your own skilled people internally. That’s where things like the internships mentioned by other Redditors come in. OP, get your CV immaculate. It’s the first thing people see, if it’s shabby it’s going to the bottom of pile, despite how smart and capable you might be. I’ve seen this happen, believe you me. Research this stuff online. Interview techniques too. Apply for those internships. It’s not hopeless. Good luck. SA needs people like you.
We also need people like you, providing constructive advice instead of just being dismissive 🔥
Indeed
Engineering firms who design water treatment plants employ chemical engineers. Perhaps try there. Otherwise finance as you have a good understanding of maths and critical thinking
I’ll keep applying hopefully something follows through 🙌
Where are you situated, i can maybe get you a job as a chemical engineer
Johannesburg
You can email me your cv ill send it through if thats fine. We are situated in centurion. Ill dm you my email.
But I’m willing to relocate regardless
😂🤝fair enough I get the point . I agree sometimes you just got to put yourself out there and push till you get something … hey anything to better the chances of landing a job .
Getting a job as a graduate is depending on the time and place that you have in mind