Chem. Ing. Own Business???

[daialos]

Hi everyone

i am a chemical engineering student from Puerto Rico

i am currently in my 3rd year starting my 4th. I would like to know what kinds of own business a chemical engineer can start, or create. I know we can for example do consulting ext.

Is is posible for a chemical engineer, to start a small process plant for example?

like maybe a small urea production plant.

is there any references such as books or websites where i can learn more about this theme?? (chemical engineers own business)

thx a lot

 

[moltenmetal]

If you wanted to start your own company fresh out of school, chem eng wasn't the best choice.

You are young and may have a better imagination than I do, but the only low capital investment entrepreneurial activities a chemical engineer can get into (ones directly related to chemicals production at least) are for the production of chemicals which are not legal...everything else takes MONEY, and lots of it, up front to get started.

The question then becomes one of where you will obtain the capital to start your own process plant. Personally I doubt you'll find anyone willing to give a fresh graduate enough money to do such a thing on their own.

Consulting is hopeless for a fresh graduate too. On what basis would you consult- on your university education only? I strongly advise against fresh graduates even going to work for consulting companies, much less consulting on their own- there is so much you don't know fresh out of school!

Best to get a job first and learn at others' expense. If you then find an opportunity to make a fortune by making some (legal) chemical or another, maybe you'll have the contacts and have a hope of getting sufficient capital together.

 

[dcasto]

If you overcome the issues molten states concerning capital and finding people to operate the plant AND a marketting plan AND a supply plan (or CONTRACTS), then go ahead.

As for consulting, I do not know the laws in PR, but in the US you have to be a PE to consult on engineering.

Get some experience first before you jump into anything or marry a person who's father owns the plant.

 

[MJCronin]

diala..

You need practical experience and a PE to form a viable consulting company.

Consider joining and existing ChE consulting company and offer to travel to field sites. Get as much experience trobleshooting field problems as possible.

Find the specific type of process industry that is on a rapid growth path (pharma, petrochem, whatever)and get experience in that field.

Then, and only then, go out on your own........

My opinion only..

-MJC

 

[mbeychok]

daialos:

As a chemical engineer when went into private consulting and made a good living at it:

(1) I was 45 years old and had about 21 years of experience when I went into private consulting.

(2) I was married and had 3 young children, and spent a good amount of time agonizing of whether or not to leave my job.

(3) I had three contractual committments for generous retainers signed and sealed that guaranteed I could support my family for at least the first three years.

(3) I had to obtain private health insurance to cover myself and my family.

(4) I had to obtain liability insurance coverage to protect me from any errors and omission legal suits ... and that was very expensive.

So my answer to your posting is that unless you have a wealthy father or a wealthy wife, you are far from ready to become a private consulant.

Milton Beychok
(Visit me at www.air-dispersion.com)
.

 

[rmw]

I was in business for myself or in very small 2-3-4 partner firms for over 30 years before coming in from out of the cold. I have no regrets about the time spent there, however.

My advice would be that unless you are either in the category that Mbeychok has stated above or you are an advanced age student, say in your mid 40's with some kind of previous specific experience under your belt, forget about it for a while and enjoy working for the other guy while he pays you to learn the ropes.

In your own business, income is typically not very level but overhead is and it marches on relentlessly. One slip up or one momentary lapse in judgement can take you under. You do nothing wrong but one customer shafts you and you are gone.

Once you have gotten a feel for your industry and your strengths and interests and some of the costs involved in just living, just a couple of which Milton has mentioned above are, then decide if you want to take the plunge.

I have clicked into this thread several times and just scratched my head as to your question. I sense that you are too inexperienced to even comprehend the magnitude of what you are asking. Hell, whole teams of competent engineers and managers and staff screw up plants such as urea production plants. And you think you want to own one at your (assumed to be low) age? I wouldn't touch one if it were given to me at my age and experience.

I hope you will set your sights on more reachable and more worthy goals more in line with your station in life and do well and then when you take the plunge, knock'em dead.

rmw

 

[daialos]

I am currently at the age of 22 soon 23, starting my 4th year of chemical engineering. i was just actually wondering if it was posible for a chemical engineering to start his own company. I know understand (a bit more) the complexity of starting a company. i just had lot of ideas in my mind, for a future. U guys helped me get down of the cloud and feel the reality.

now that i undertand this situation better, would be great if u guys share with me and others, your experience on how it is to work on the private industry,

how u guys started when u just came out of university, how good u can be economically on all that aspects that i am sure will be so interesting for me and much others students.

also i would like to apologize if i made any mistake on my writting, my english is not as good as i would like it to be but i tried my best

Thx you all