Petrochemical engineering is a specialty profession within the field of chemical engineering. It deals with the chemical processes involved in turning the raw materials of crude oil and petroleum into useful products such as food, clothes, fertilizers and plastics. If you're good at math and chemistry, then a career in petrochemicals could be right on the money. Experienced chemical engineers earn just shy of six figures annually, and petrochemical engineers enjoy even greater rewards.

Job Description
A petrochemical engineer's primary role is to develop ways to break down oil and petroleum, then use the base components to develop everyday products like plastic, rubber and synthetic fibers. It's a multidisciplinary role. Duties range from managing the production process in a plant or refinery to applied research and development in a chemistry lab to other technical roles, often with a problem-solving focus. Petrochemical engineering is a solutions-driven industry. Employers prefer candidates who can apply their academic knowledge to solve real-life problems for their company and its clients.