In the world there are a huge number of useful professions. And when the university applicant faces the question of what profession he should choose, not many realize the essence of this or that activity, and often the choice falls not where it is necessary. Of course, we all know that a doctor heals, a teacher teaches, and what is the purpose, for example, of a process chemist? What awaits a student who has decided to devote his life to this profession? What does the profession “chemist” mean, a description of where to study as a chemist? You will learn all this from our article.
Profession history
By the way, technological processes appeared even before the emergence of writing, and chemical research was carried out long before the birth of civilization. Experiments with fire are also chemical-technological research. Just in those days, people still did not realize what they were doing.
The first studies of metals and their alloys, as you know, appeared 5 thousand years ago in Egypt. But the very concept of “chemist” was formed only in the 17th century, thanks to the efforts of the English researcher Robert Boyle.
Description of the profession: chemist-engineer (chemist-technologist)
Chemistry is one of the most important sciences, which allows us to understand the processes taking place around us. And the teacher, and the laboratory assistant, and the analyst can be involved in it. But in this article we will tell you who the chemical technologist is.
The description of the profession, in general, can be reduced to the fact that it is a specialist who is developing new or improving old processes for the production of any product. A process chemist can specialize in the production of plastics, organic resins, varnishes, paints, fuels, explosives, glass, cement, ceramics, etc.
The abovementioned specialists are developing technological regulations, which indicate certain parameters of temperature and pressure, as well as the possibility of using certain components and catalysts. And importantly, the technological process should be economically justified, since this also falls within the scope of the chemist-technologist.
Learning Features
It is rather difficult and long to study the named specialty. In addition to the basic disciplines, such as organic, inorganic, colloidal, physical, analytical, etc. chemistry, a chemist-technologist (we will present a description of the profession), must also study technological disciplines.
The program of specialized universities also includes such disciplines as sopromat, descriptive geometry, processes and apparatuses of chemical technology, a control system for chemical-technological processes and design of production.
As you can see, training is based on the development of two areas. In addition, laboratory work is important for a process chemist. Indeed, if you do not spend much time in laboratories, it is unlikely that the student will become a professional. That is why during training they spend a lot of time in practical classes and in laboratories.
Responsibilities of a process chemist
Work in the named specialty is based on the performance of a number of job duties, such as monitoring all production processes, for example. In addition, a chemical technologist (a description of the profession is presented in our article) personally checks the quality of the products. He receives a sample, and if there are shortcomings, he makes the necessary changes to the production process.
An engineer at a chemical plant manages not only production, but also the people who work there. That is, he must be able to communicate with subordinates and clearly communicate information to them.
He also conducts interviews and trains newly arrived workers. Draws up technical documentation. Makes suggestions for improving product quality and for improving quality control methods.
Professionally Important Qualities
To become a chemical technologist, you must initially have a number of qualities that are important in a professional sense:
- A future chemist of any specialization, including a technologist, must have analytical thinking and technical abilities.
- This specialty is suitable for those who know how to concentrate their attention and have an excellent memory for numbers, signs, symbols.
- Since this work is quite painstaking, a person who devotes himself to it should be diligent and patient. He must be able to distinguish a wide range of colors and have an excellent sense of smell.
- In addition, he must understand his full responsibility, since in some cases human life will depend on his skills and knowledge.
Profession chemist-technologist: pros and cons
Like any other, the activity of a process engineer also has its advantages and disadvantages. The pluses include the following:
- This profession is very interesting, and every day for a specialist will not look like yesterday. Unless, of course, we are talking about a developing industry.
- It is universal and allows you to work in different areas of production.
- A chemical technologist can manage not only the process, but also people, so this specialty allows you to make an managerial career.
- The named specialty involves further research and writing candidate works.
Cons of the profession:
- The main disadvantage is harmful production. In addition to contact with chemicals, a chemical technologist, the description of the profession of which you can read in this article, is daily affected by noise, vibration and dust.
- Today, this specialty, alas, is not considered fashionable and is unlikely to add value to you in the eyes of others.
- In order to get a high salary for his work, a chemical technologist must be a first-class specialist. And if you just unlearn and have a diploma, then, of course, you will not be allowed into the technological processes.
- And, as mentioned earlier, this profession is complex and very responsible.
Is this profession in demand?
What is the profession of "chemist", what does such a specialist do, and what are his responsibilities, you already know. And, unfortunately, the described specialty is not fashionable today, but this does not cease to be very important in our industry.
Only one who is really not indifferent to chemistry and physics will be able to take such a step and become a chemical technologist. By the way, this profession is very much in demand. True, there are certain nuances. So, if you are a qualified specialist, with good knowledge that goes beyond the university program, then you will certainly be in demand both in our country and abroad. But if you don’t have a special thirst for chemistry, you’ll just waste time and you won’t be in demand among employers.
How much does a chemist get?
If we talk about the wages of the described specialist, then we can safely say that a decent wage is guaranteed to him. True, it depends on many factors:
- Region. Indeed, at a plant in a small town, salaries are unlikely to exceed 20 thousand rubles.
- How promising the industry is. For example, the oil and oil refining industries constantly receive investments and develop, therefore, the workers here will receive higher pay for their labor.
- Also, the salary depends on the qualifications of the employee. On average in Russia, the salary of a chemical technologist varies from 20 to 60 thousand rubles. If you plan to work in Europe in the future, then, of course, there it is much higher, and the profession itself is more in demand. In addition, some benefits and monetary compensation for harmful effects on the workplace are added to payments.
The profession has contraindications
Probably not many specialties have contraindications. But the chemist-technologist profession has them:
- People who suffer from neuropsychiatric disorders should not engage in such activities.
- If you have chronic respiratory diseases, then you should also change your plans for this profession.
- Weak immunity is no less considered a contraindication for those wishing to receive the described specialty.
- And most importantly, allergies. Allergy sufferers generally have no access to the technology workshop.
Where to study?
If you liked the profession “chemist”, where to study as a chemist, we will tell you. Almost all technological universities of the country annually graduate these young specialists.
Before entering, the future engineer must understand in which industry he wants to work. If in the food industry, then he needs to know the technology of food production and go to the appropriate specialization. A completely different direction is metallurgy. Here we study the technology for producing metal from ore.
Conclusion
As the saying goes: "All professions are important, all professions are needed." The described specialty is not an exception to this. If you really like chemistry and physics, you should get to know this type of activity better. We told you in an article about who a chemical technologist is, a description of the profession, the pros and cons were discussed in some detail, and now we hope that you can make the right choice.