Chemist-technologist: description of the profession, features of training, pros and cons

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

There are a huge number of useful professions in the world. And when a university entrant is faced with the question of what profession to choose, not many people realize the essence of this or that activity, and often the choice falls in the wrong place. Of course, we all know that a doctor heals, a teacher teaches, but what is the purpose of, for example, a chemist-technologist? 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.

History of the profession

By the way, technological processes appeared before the emergence of writing, and chemical research was carried out long before the birth of civilization. Experiments with fire are, after all, also a chemical-technological study. It's just that in those days people did not yet realize what exactly they were doing.

The first studies of metals and their alloys, as you know, appeared 5 thousand years ago in Egypt. And the very concept of "chemist" was formed only in the 17th century, thanks to the efforts of the English researcher Robert Boyle.

Profession description: chemist-engineer (chemist-technologist)

Chemistry is one of the most important sciences, which allows us to understand the processes taking place around us. And a teacher, a laboratory assistant, and an analyst can be involved in it. But in this article we will tell you who a chemist-technologist is.

Description of the profession, in general, can be reduced to the fact that this is a specialist who develops new or improves old processes for the production of any product. A chemist can specialize in the production of plastics, organic resins, varnishes, paints, fuels, explosives, glass, cement, ceramics, etc.

The above-named specialists develop technological regulations, which indicate certain parameters of temperature and pressure, as well as the possibility of using certain components and catalysts. And most importantly, the technological process must be economically justified, since this is also within the scope of the chemist-technologist.

Features of learning

Studying the named speci alty is quite difficult and long. Chemist-technologist (we will present a description of the profession in our article), in addition to the main disciplines, such as organic, inorganic, colloidal, physical,analytical, etc., must also study technological disciplines.

The curriculum of specialized universities also includes such disciplines as strength of materials, descriptive geometry, chemical technology processes and apparatus, chemical process control system and production design.

As you can see, training is based on mastering two directions. In addition, practice in laboratories is important for a chemist-technologist. After all, if you do not spend a lot of time in laboratories, it is unlikely that a student will become a professional. That is why during their training they spend a lot of time in practical classes and in laboratories.

Responsibilities of a chemist-technologist

Work in the named speci alty is based on the performance of a number of job responsibilities, such as control of all production processes, for example. In addition, a chemist-technologist (a description of the profession is presented in our article) personally checks the quality of products. He receives a sample, and if there are defects, 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 convey information to them.

He also interviews and trains newcomers. Compiles technical documentation. Makes suggestions to improve product quality and improve 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:

1. A future chemist of any specialization, including a technologist, must have analytical thinking and technical abilities.
2. This speci alty is suitable for those who can concentrate their attention and have an excellent memory for numbers, signs, symbols.
3. Since this work is quite painstaking, a person who has devoted himself to it must be diligent and patient. He should be able to distinguish a wide range of colors and have an excellent sense of smell.
4. In addition, he must understand all his responsibility, since in some cases a human life will depend on his skills and knowledge.

Professions of a chemical engineer: pros and cons

Like any other, the activity of a process engineer also has its advantages and disadvantages. The pros include the following:

• This profession is very interesting, and every day for a specialist will not be like yesterday. Unless, of course, we are talking about an emerging industry.
• It is universal and allows you to work in different areas of production.
• A chemist-technologist can manage not only the process, but also people, so this speci alty allows you to make a managerial career.
• The named speci alty involves further research activities and writing Ph. D. theses.

Cons of the profession:

• Main minusis a harmful production. In addition to exposure to chemicals, the chemical engineer whose profession you can read in this article is exposed to noise, vibration and dust on a daily basis.
• Today, this speci alty, alas, is not considered fashionable and is unlikely to add significance to you in the eyes of others.
• To get a high salary for their work, a chemical production technologist must be a first-class specialist. And if you just unlearned and have a diploma, then, of course, you will not be allowed to enter the technological processes.
• And, as mentioned earlier, this profession is difficult and very responsible.

Is this profession in demand?

What is the profession of a "chemist", what does such a specialist do and what are his duties, you already know. And, unfortunately, the described speci alty is not fashionable today, but this does not cease to be very important in our industry.

Only those who are really not indifferent to chemistry and physics can take such a step and become a chemist-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 do not have a special craving in chemistry, then you will simply waste your time, and you will certainly not be in demand among employers.

How muchchemist receives?

If we talk about the salary of the described specialist, then we can safely say that he is guaranteed a decent salary. True, it depends on many factors:

1. Region. Indeed, at a plant in a small town, the salary is unlikely to exceed 20 thousand rubles.
2. How promising the industry is. For example, the oil-producing and oil-refining industries are constantly receiving investments and developing, therefore, workers here will receive higher wages for their work.
3. 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, it is much higher there, and the profession itself is more in demand. In addition, some benefits and monetary compensation for harmful effects at work are added to the payments.

The profession also has contraindications

Probably not many speci alties have contraindications. But the profession of chemical technologist 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 get the described speci alty.
• And most importantly - allergies. Allergy sufferers generally have access toprocess shop closed.

Where to study?

If you like the profession "chemist", where to study as a chemist, we will tell you. Almost all technological universities in the country graduate these young professionals every year.

Before entering, a future engineer must understand what industry he wants to work in. If in the food industry, then he needs to know the technology of food production and go for the appropriate specialization. A completely different direction is metallurgy. Here the technology of obtaining metal from ore is being studied.

Conclusion

As they say: "All professions are important, all professions are needed." The described speci alty is no exception to this. If you are very fond of chemistry and physics, you should get to know this type of activity better. We told you in an article about who a chemical engineer is - the description of the profession, the pros and cons were considered in some detail - and now we hope that you can make the right choice.