A scroll through Reddit's r/CareerGuidance recently unearthed a question that crops up every few years: "Are chemical engineering degrees becoming useless?" It's the kind of existential worry that can settle in at 3am when you're knee-deep in thermodynamics or staring at a job board that seems more elusive than encouraging.

The short answer? No, it’s not useless. But that doesn’t mean it’s a golden ticket either.

What the Reddit Thread Got Right

It’s still a rigorous and respected degree. Chemical engineering is tough, it requires strong maths, problem-solving, and systems thinking. That level of difficulty is still respected across industries, even if the route to a job isn’t always linear.

It’s more versatile than people think. While some posters mourned the slowdown of traditional sectors like oil & gas, others highlighted opportunities in pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, food & beverage, consultancy, and even finance. Chemical engineering teaches you to break down problems methodically, and that skill translates across fields.

The job market is real but so is competition. Several users pointed out that simply having the degree isn’t enough. Location, internships, networking, and even a willingness to relocate often make the difference between struggling and thriving.

So, Is It Still Worth It?

Yes but the value of a chemical engineering degree in 2025 depends on what you do with it. If you’re set on a petrochemical career in a shrinking market with no backup plan, you might run into trouble. But if you’re open to pivoting into:

Battery technology and energy storage
From lithium-ion cell manufacturing to solid-state battery R&D, engineers are needed to optimise performance, reduce costs, and scale production lines for EVs, grid systems, and consumer electronics.

Green hydrogen and carbon capture
Whether you're working on electrolysers, membrane separation, or CO₂ absorption systems, chemical engineers are essential in making these processes economically viable and industrially scalable.

Biotech and food tech process scale-up
As lab-grown meat, precision fermentation, and enzyme-based solutions move from petri dish to production plant, engineers are leading the charge in fermentation design, bioreactor management, and regulatory complian

Circular economy and advanced materials
This includes everything from chemical recycling of plastics and solvent recovery to the development of biodegradable polymers, functional coatings, and low-impact adhesives used across consumer goods and industrial manufacturing.

Then the degree isn’t just relevant, it’s vital. Many of these areas are actively recruiting chemical engineers who can help scale production, optimise processes, and manage sustainability metrics.

The Bigger Picture

It’s easy to feel disillusioned when the headlines scream about tech jobs and AI disruption. But behind every new material, every breakthrough in alternative protein, every pilot plant moving to commercial scale, there’s likely a chemical engineer.

The game has changed. It’s no longer about chasing the same jobs as everyone else. It’s about spotting the industries in transition and bringing your skills to the table before the crowd gets there.

If you're a chemical engineer wondering where to go next, or a business leader looking to tap into this kind of talent, Witan Search has deep sector knowledge across chemicals, energy, and innovation. Get in touch, and let’s talk possibilities.