AIChE Growth & The Future
Membership for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers
A strong AIChE reflections a strong chemical engineering
profession. This is because today's AIChE represents the profession as a
whole. However, for thirty years after its formation (in 1908), the
Institute remained a very exclusive organization (notice the slow initial growth
shown below). Its "club like" atmosphere made membership desirable to
those who could obtain it, while at the same time helping to avoid direct
conflict with the powerful American Chemical Society (ACS).
In the latter half of the century, its highly restrictive membership
was lifted, and students were welcomed into the organization with open arms. By
the 1990's nearly 70% of all individuals calling themselves "chemical
engineers" could also call themselves AIChE members. AIChE membership
therefore provides a reasonable picture of American chemical engineers as a
whole. Therefore, that dramatic membership slump seen around 1985 should start
worrying any prospective chemical engineer
"The Future Ain't What it Used to Be!"
Each year about 5000 chemical engineers graduate and replace the
1000 chemical engineers who retire. With the rapid growth seen from
1945 to 1970 slowing down, employment in today's chemical industry is not
as certain. Only two-thirds of new chemical engineering graduates find
full-time work within their first six months out of college (however, this
employment rate for new graduates is the highest of any major engineering
field). Additionally, the average chemical engineering graduate can expect to
work for 6-8 employers over a career. This is in sharp contrast to twenty
years ago, when chemical engineers found secure employment with only 1-2
employers over a lifetime. In short, while future prospects are still good,
things ain't what they used to be.
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