CHEMICAL ENGINEERS

RESEARCH OR INDUSTRYWHAT NEXT ?

Frances McEwenCareers Adviser

Careers Service

• 48 Prince’s Gardens

• Office open 10.00am – 5.15pm

• www.imperial.ac.uk/careers

• JobsLive

• One to one confidential interviews

20 and 40 minute appointments

• careers@imperial.ac.uk

Careers Events

• Engineering Fair18th October

• Imperial College Careers Fair 1,2 November

• Employer Presentations, Drop in Sessions, Mock Interviews

• Skills workshops Wednesdays pm• Careers Talks Tues & Thurs at 1pm

Details at www.imperial.ac.uk/careersClick on JobsLive

Careers Advisers

• In Department

Dr Erich Muller

• In the Careers Service

Frances McEwen

Why Postgraduate Study ?

• Enthusiasm for subject, study• Personal reasons• Training in research methods• Able to

undertake fundamental/applied research

contribute to original thinking

relate new work to world’s literature

apply rigorous tests of proof to arguments

• PhD start applying January• MBA apply in November

Information

• www.FindaPhd.com• www.prospects.ac.uk/pgstudy• www.acu.ac.uk• www.inteducation.hobsons.com• www.studyoverseas.com/• www.fulbright.co.uk

Employment

• Industry

applications from now onwards

December closing dates

• Finance

start applying now

• Consulting

apply from November onwards

Avoid applying at the end of your course

• Cream jobs will have been taken

• It can take three months minimum to get a job from a no preparation start

• If you need a work permit, it can take 6 months to get into work

If you need a work permit

• Investigate the websites• www.workingintheuk.gov.uk• www.homeoffice.gov.uk• Check the “ Highly Qualified Migrants Programme”

• International Office in College

What are Employers looking for ?

• Keen to find solutions to engineering problems • Analytical thinking• Assimilating and evaluating information• Project management• Team working• Communication – oral and written• Interpersonal skills• Persuading and influencing skills• Drive and resilience• Want to make a difference• International outlook

Who employs MSc Chemical Engineers?

• Engineering consultancies• Engineering construction contractors• Chemical companies• Pharmaceutical companies• Water companies• Energy companies and consultancies• Food companies• Biotechnology organisations• Contract research organisations

Other Options

• Investment Banks

• Engineering and other companies with management training schemes

• IT consultants

• Patent Consultancies

Where to find employers

• Check your department intranet site for careers info and links

• Engineering companies www.acenet.org.uk• Chemical companies www.cia.org.uk• Energy companies www.energyinst.org.uk• Water companies www.water.org.uk• Pharmaceuticals www.abpi.org.uk• www.prospects.ac.uk/links/occupations

Where are previous MSc students working?

BP Facilities Engineer

Parsons Projects Engineer

GSK Chemical Engineer

Rhodia Organique Fine Development Engineer

• Process Systems Engineers ?

Shell Consultant

Proscon Process Engineer

BG Group Graduate Engineer

More Sources of Information

• GET and Prospects Directories• Hobsons & Target Engineering Guides• Inside Careers Engineering and Technology• www.insidecareers.co.uk• Careers Service website• www.imperial.ac.uk/careers• JobsLive

CV Writing – some basics

• Length 2 pages of A4• Paper use good quality• Font Arial, Times Roman black ink

largest size for your namenext size down for key headings

next size down for sub-headings/ content

• Words and phrases rather than sentences• Rectify to the left hand side• Avoid using “ I” “he”/”she” passive tense• CVs for international applications• www.prospects.ac.uk/links/countries

Mind Your Language !

• Use positive wordsenthusiastic enterprising responsible

• Use positive phrasesgood working knowledge of

initiated contact with……

analysed stress on new materials• Use action words

analysed coordinated developeddiagnosed evaluated investigated

presented persuaded streamlined

Personal Details

Centre your name at the top of your CV

INCLUDE• Address• Phone number Mobile• Email address• Date of Birth• Nationality

Education

Dates Imperial College London

MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering Main Subjects/ Studies include

Projects and Research ProjectGive titles of coursework/projectsWhat problem did you have to solve and how ?What results did you achieve ?What resources : how many in the group ? Report written, presentation madeInclude details of techniques used – analysis, modelling, lab

EDUCATION

Dates Leeds University, UK

BEng in Chemical Engineering

Studies included …………

Design project on ……….

Research project: give title in bold

give an outline – if relevant to your application

Employment

• Use categories to describe experiences: Engineering Experience

Consulting / Contracting Experience• Start with the name of the employer and job title• Give an overview of the projects you were working

on• Describe your work duties/ responsibilities/ skills

applied and / developed• Your achievements/ contribution to the overall result

Engineering Experience

Summer 2005 SASoil, Russia• Designed heat exchanger for catalytic cracker plant• Assisted chief engineer with maintenance projects• Analysed product wastage

Skills

• Computer / IT

Mention engineering, design and other specialist software

List systems, databases

Programming in C, Familiar with Windows XP, Linux, AUTOCAD

Languages

(bilingual: mother tongue Italian and English)• Driving licence

Awards Qualifications

• Include prizes and awards• Life saving• Duke of Edinburgh awards• Lab Safety courses• St John’s Ambulance training• First Aid

INTERESTSRESPONSIBILITIES and

ACHIEVEMENTS• Emphasise team or group activities, initiatives,

good communication• Your contribution• Emphasise successful outcomes• Avoid one word interests (e.g. reading, music)• Chemical Engineering Society activities • Social/ sports activities• Any Committee and Hall Reapp responsibilities

References

• Can be supplied on request• Two referees, unless asked for more• Personal Tutor or academic who knows you• Employer• Someone who knows you through activities

outside College• Course applications - two academic

What Next ?

• Explore the engineering options open to you • Decide if more study is for you• Find out how you can become chartered• Decide which organisations you want to apply to• Plan which presentations to attend• Find out about employers relevant to your choices

from departmental and society presentations, tutors, company/site visits, websites

• Make your applications carefully