Career path question for a graduating student. 1

[JayWell]

Field: Chemical Engineering
Specialization (optional): Pharma
Experience: 0 years

I just graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering with primarily of my focus for pharma industry (academic research and elective courses). During my senior year I realized that I don’t enjoy being in the lab as much as I use to. Currently I been applying for jobs that I have felt more attracted to such as the automation industry. I applied for a company to be an Electric Control Engineer where I would learn more about circuits, wiring, SCADA, and PLC by being exposed in all industries including (((steel, pharma, general manufacturing, food/beverage, etc). This position would also be involved with the design of tending cells, control/automation systems, robotic cells, power monitoring, Legacy system modernization, field support, panel building, etc)))

The company decided to move forward with another candidate, but asked me to come in as a programmer where I would be involve learning legacy programs as well as new to develop a replacement solution for large control system. Using OpenVMS Control System with Fortran, C programs interfacing with Oracle/RDB DB’s, iFIX SCADA applications and PLC’s responsible for controlling a couple thousand I/O points ETC. Another OpenVMS Control System with Fortran & C programs interfacing communication to old Microprocessor I/O system that we are looking to upgrade/replace the controls and interfaces. Old and new programming will be involved.
I don’t have much of a coding background just common knowledge *1 course* of C++, Java, JavaScript, MATLAB and Python.

My questions are;
Does anyone have any experience with this? Easy --> Hard to learn?
If I took on this role would there be advancement within this field (is there a legitimate career path)?
Is there projection within this field or is it a niche?
What would be my asking salary since I’m not a Computer Science major?

Thank you again for your help.

 

[lucky-guesser]

I have zero idea regarding the difficulty and the salary, but I have no doubt there would be career advancement opportunities somewhere. Depending on the company structure there may not be a direct path up at that specific company, but the skills that you learn there will no doubt allow you to move up in another company if nothing else. The tech/automation industry is massive, there will be a way to move up one way or another.

In my part of the world, tech skills/businesses like that are a little niche I would say but in other parts of the country I am sure there are higher demands so even if your new tech skills don't transfer well to other industries, again, the tech industry is massive.

Also, if you have little experience with what is the basis of your new job, you should make that clear with the would be employer. Some companies like hiring people with little experience so they can train them and mold them to fit the company model with no preconceived notions about anything. On the other hand, they may have seen your application and assumed that you know what you are doing by the fact that you applied there at all. It's impossible to know what they are thinking, so double check their expectations before saying yes.

 

[rb1957]

man ! you have a degree in Chem Eng and went for an Elect Eng job ? Was it even in the food business "automation industry" is very general.

On one level, with zero year experience, any job is better than no job. Ok, it's not your field but it seems to me that you are disenchanted with your field and are looking for "pastures new".

It seems to me that this employer is trying to leverage your Engineering degree, tho' it is in a completely different field. Maybe they like you ?
I suspect you'll have a probation period, when the employer can assess you (and how quickly you pick things up, and become useful).

How do you feel about the job ? about the field ? Is it something that excites you ? could it ?? or you don't know (perfectly acceptable answer).

pay ? whatever you can get !?

"Hoffen wir mal, dass alles gut geht !"
General Paulus, Nov 1942, outside Stalingrad after the launch of Operation Uranus.

 

[SWComposites]

Well, if you take a programming job, and stay in it a few years, you might find it hard to get back into an engineering job. Or would have to take a large pay cut. Be sure programming is your long term path goal.

Frankly, Chem Engs seem to always be in demand and highly paid. Why not look for a job in a different Chem Eng subfield?

 

[IRstuff]

You should make sure that you are actually interested in this line of work, particularly given your sudden change of direction from something you spent 4 years pursuing.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

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[Gr8blu]

JayWell : First - understand what it was about the "lab" environment you did not like. Was it being cooped up indoors? The "nitpicky details" associated with combining chemicals? The people you were working with? The hours the lab was open for business? Something else entirely?

Second - what do you perceive as being different about an automation career (or more accurately, a programmer since that's what you're considering as a job)?

Third - as an engineer, do you understand the processes you're trying to interface with? Do you know what makes "good" data (or "bad" data) for a given part of the process? As a programmer, how deep is your understanding of the similarities AND differences between the software you're trying to integrate into the "big picture"? Do you know anything at all about VMS (which has been around almost as long as I have!)? Do you understand what it can - and cannot - accomplish?

Is the company that wants to hire you paying you enough for what they're asking you to do? Although VMS is used in some process industries, there are other approaches out there that are more modern and (potentially) easier to use and understand.

Converting energy to motion for more than half a century

 

[rb1957]

"Do you know what makes "good" data (or "bad" data" .... sure, good data agrees with whatever you're trying to do, bad data doesn't ... smile ...

"Hoffen wir mal, dass alles gut geht !"
General Paulus, Nov 1942, outside Stalingrad after the launch of Operation Uranus.