Job Responsibilities
Responsibilities tend to be in project form with a defined
beginning and end rather than routine. The nature of the
projects are highly varied and come from different sources, for
example: 1. Response to a manufacturing problem that cannot be
solved by plant staff 2. Development of new materials or
processes at the request of senior management 3. Similar types
of projects that are self-generated (entailing convincing
production or senior management of the merits of the idea).
4. Assessments of selected company operations requested by
senior managemnt. Several projects will be in progress at once,
entailing supervision of a variety of people assigned to help
and careful use of time. You will be expected to provide
regular reports of status and discuss the situation with each
project with senior management. Supervisory responsibilities
are confined to guiding the work of other technical specialists
(within the company or with a hired contractor), but include
responsibility for multi-million dollar projects in some cases.
|
Job Requirements
This is the highest level purely technical position in the
company. Few will attain it, since they choose other career
paths instead of pursuing this position. A B.S. in Chemical
Engineering from a highly qualified institution is a very
acceptable preparation (if you barely survive the education,
you'll be able to handle the job...eventually). For most chem
engineers, the education is a severe test of capability and
fortitude. Most of the preparation comes afterward in the
company and is the result of broad experience over 20+ years in
a variety of roles (production, engineering design and R&D
predominantly). It means that you have learned well and
understand deeply a large amount about all aspects of the
chemical processes in your charge, as well as the systems that
make the company work. You are prepared to handle both the
technological challenges and the organizational ones.
|
Uppers
The job has a high degree of freedom and flexibility. As a recognized expert,
you are seldom constrained by routines of timeclock and repetitious duties
(however, you can expect to work more than 40 hr weeks without overtime on a
regular basis to satisfy all the demands made on you). There is recognition from
management and your peers for your accomplishments and capabilities. Your
opinion will be sought on a variety of topics (some, you've never dealt with!).
You will have the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of your efforts quickly in
the form of chemical processes in operation, improvements in production saving
costs and problems solved successfuly. You will be paid well, but you'll not get
rich...just comfortable.
|
Downers
You have gone as far as possible and to find a better paying job
will be difficult, since you will have stayed so long in the
purely technical role, that management opportunities are now
closed to you. You will find decisions by management to cancel
your projects will be difficult to understand. You will relate
well with Dilbert!
|
Lifestyle
By the time you reach this position, things like work hours and dress code are
pretty relaxed. There is usually a lot of freedom to go to a doctor's
appointment or take a long lunch without being called on the carpet and docked
the time. However, you will probably work far more than 40 hours a week, because
you do what needs to be done, no matter what the clock says. There can be a
substantial amount of travel with the job, because your knowledge and skills will
be in demand from many company locations. Usually, the travel is in short bursts
and is seldom for extended periods. Your social events will be in the nature of
private gatherings of friends from work, company sponsored events (like Christmas
parties) and meetings with customers or clients. Today, most people in these
positions are old white guys...because that's who graduated 40 years ago! More
and more members of other races and lots more women are now achieving these
positions (for the same reasons...the graduation classes became more diverse 20
years ago).
|
Compensation
This job will pay in excess of $100,000 dollars annually (year
2003), will have an annual bonus of 3% to 5% (based on company
performance, not your own measures) and have a package of
benefits (health, insurance, etc.) for which you will contribute
a small amount...not painful at all...right now.
|
Advice to Jobseekers
There is always a need for technical experts, if not in the
company you begin with, then elsewhere. You must be fascinated
by the area you select, or you will not be able to live with it
long enough to become an expert. You need not decide that in
the beginning...most experts arrive there by accident rather
than plan. You will likely wake up one day and realize that
that's who you are...and its a pretty good place to be! But to
get there, you will have had a number of disappointments when
you were not promoted to a management position, or worse, lost a
management position. It is a place for the 'techie' who loves
the stuff he/she is working with more than the humiliation of
not having a Manager title. (Sometimes you can get the title,
but without anyone reporting to you!) Not everyone wants this
job. When I began my career, I interacted with these
experts...I admired their capabilities and knowledge...I did not
set out to be one...I had higher hopes. I learned late that
that was where I could contribute the most and be very satisfied
doing so.
|
|
