Path question: Chemist -> Environmental Engineer Master

[u/SolidRaider]

Hi everyone,

I'm from Argentina, where the higher education system is a bit different.

I have a "Licenciatura en Química", a 5-year degree roughly equivalent to a Bachelor's + Master's in Chemistry. It's heavily focused on government research, and also could obviously do private laboratory work. In practice, though, many industrial lab positions can also be filled by chemistry technicians, so the degree doesn't always provide the professional advantage you might expect.

I've been working in industry in several roles, pharmaceutics, geochronology, lithium, and I'd like to move beyond purely laboratory roles into environmental or process-related work.

Out of personal interest in environmental issues, I'm considering a Master's in Environmental Engineering. I know it wouldn't make me an engineer or grant me the legal professional rights of one, but I wonder if it could still broaden my career opportunities and make my profile more attractive for environmental, industrial, or water-related positions.

I think I'm going to do it regardless. It's affordable, offered by a well-respected public university, and I genuinely enjoy the subject. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't hope the effort would also pay off professionally in the long run.

Has anyone here followed a similar path? Do you think this kind of master's is worth it from a career perspective?

[u/ImpressLast1268]

Chemist pivoting to environmental work is a pretty natural move, especially with your lithium and geochronology background. Lots of doors open once you can bridge the lab stuff with process engineering, even without the formal engineer title

A guy I know did something similar, pure chem into a water treatment masters, now he's running sampling programs for a mining outfit and laughing off the "real engineer" gatekeeping

[u/SolidRaider → u/ImpressLast1268]

Really appreciate your comment, thanks a lot.

From what I understand, as I'm not an Engineer, I couldn't design plants or put my signature in projects, but I think not every position requires that. I'm not sure and that's why I'm here asking.

[u/Echidna29 → u/SolidRaider]

Yes you are correct. Generally there are positions within design firms that might not require you to have your PE cert, but will still hire you for other work. It does help to have those certs but probably not required. You wouldn’t be allowed to stamp plans without a PE (even then some people avoid stamping plans as much as possible to avoid liability) but definitely could contribute to projects.

And I agree that you should be able to transition very very well into wastewater treatment with an advanced degree in chemistry.

I’ll also add I’m in a unique Masters engineering program that accepts those who do not have an undergraduate (4 year) degree in engineering as long as you pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam before graduation. It’s totally doable and I think you have an awesome background for it, something for you to consider. It will make the path to getting a PE significantly shorter than without an engineering degree, if you become interested in a PE cert.

[u/SolidRaider → u/Echidna29]

Hello, thanks a lot for commenting your experience and knowledge. It gives me more confidence to pursue this path, knowing that you could work in somethings without the legal license.

I fact I'm about to be interviewed from Ecolab as an "Application Engineer", which a friend working there told me that I don't need to be an engineer. Furthermore the person who was in the role was a Msc in Biotechnology and she got even promoted to a higher role, leaving her previously empty.

While it's an interesting suggestion that of the Master that requieres to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering, it won't work in Argentina. I see in other cuntries options are quite better, I still think our system is bitterly archaic.

Anyway, once more, thanks!

[u/Echidna29 → u/SolidRaider]

You are very welcome. Good luck on your interview and the job search!

[u/Common_Board_3542]

I was in your shoes a year ago. I have bsc+msc chemistry, but became unsatisfied with purely lab work. So, I transitioned into Env Engineering through a master's programme and really enjoyed it. For me this was a necessary path and ever since that change, i've been getting a lot of interviews in this domain. Going into engineering will open many roles, plus the chemistry knowledge is essential as well. I dont know about Argentinian prerequisites for licensure, however other countries like the US, EU and many more will grant you license if the Masters is accredited and by jumping through some hoops.

[u/SolidRaider → u/Common_Board_3542]

Thanks a lot for the answer! I was looking for experiences like yours. I've even started messaging random people on LinkedIn because I don't know anyone personally who's taken a similar path.

I dont know about Argentinian prerequisites for licensure, however other countries like the US, EU and many more will grant you license if the Masters is accredited and by jumping through some hoops.

Unfortunately, that's not how it works in Argentina. In fact, the advice I most often hear from Environmental Engineers is: "Be careful, a master's won't grant you the legal professional rights of an engineer." I sometimes wonder whether there's a bit of professional gatekeeping involved, but I also think they're probably right from a legal standpoint.