Re: What do chemical engineers do?

Chemical engineers do a lot of things, basically anything involving 
engineering and chemistry, both broadly defined.  Usually the chemical 
engineer is geared toward actually making a product (or making or 
operating equipment that makes a product) rather than pure research.

So, when you see a refinery making crude oil into gasoline and other 
products, most of that is been designed and operated by chemical 
engineers.  Similarly for facilities that make various chemicals and 
plastics.  Chemical engineers also contribute their skills in areas 
outside the traditional "chemical" areas, such as the manufacture of 
pharmaceuticals and other health care products and of semiconductors and 
chips for the computer industry.  Some of my own work is geared toward 
helping the power industry generate electricity more efficiently.

You can actually see some extensive discussion of what chemical 
engineers have done throughout history and are doing today at this 
Website: 

http://www.cepmagazine.com

You have to register to see the content on the site, but it is free.  Once 
you have registered, go to the January 2002 issue, and you will see a 
bunch of stories about the various things chemical engineers do.

There's room for good young people in chemical engineering, so when it 
comes time for you to go to college, we'd be glad to have you!