They convert raw materials into a variety of products and work in industries that specialize in petroleum and petrochemicals, rubbers and polymers, metals, industrial and fine chemicals and industrial gases. They take the small-scale work of the chemist and apply it to large-scale processes and products.

Additionally, chemical engineers are the driving force in many exciting areas of bioengineering and biotechnology, including pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical R&D, cellular bioengineering, diagnostics, drug delivery and the large-scale processing of food and consumer products from perfume to crayons to toothpaste.

Chemical engineers are also vital in areas such as pollution abatement, national defense and homeland security, and the manufacture of microelectronic devices and integrated circuits. Their skills are uniquely attuned to the engineering of efficient energy resources, from nuclear plants to fuel cells. Chemical engineers are bringing new perspectives and approaches to meeting the world's energy needs.