Why I Chose My Major: Chemical Engineering!
By Mahidhar Sai Lakkavaram
Content
I’ve heard so many different stories about how people came to their final decision on what major to choose. From figuring it out in high school to still being doubtful about it even in your senior year of college, there’s so much to consider when making such a big decision!
With the millions of degree options UMass Amherst provides, and the variety of ways you can go about for your degree, how do you know what’s the best path for you? Well, I’m no expert, but here’s why I chose mine!
Why I Chose Chemical Engineering
"I’m a third-year chemical engineering major, and while there are times I wish it wasn’t absolutely destroying my life, I’m still happy with my choice! I couldn’t think of anything else I’d be doing."
When I was in high school, I was passionate about the sciences and wanted to do something that had a combination of them during college. However, I wasn’t sure what career path I wanted to follow; in addition to the sciences, I was also interested in so many other subject areas that I wanted the flexibility to move into a non-traditional STEM path, if that’s what I decided in the end.
Enter chemical engineering!
Flexibility and Versatility
Chemical engineering, though heavily based on the sciences, allows for a variety of career options! If staying on the STEM-side of things, you could work as an engineer and join different sections like process engineering or safety engineering, or you could go into research and development as well!
There’s also numerous non-STEM positions that chemical engineers have gone on to pursue. From my research, I found UMass chemical engineering alumni who’ve become financial analysts, lawyers, entrepreneurs—you name it!
"Back when I was still deciding my major, I was really distraught by what career trajectory I envisioned for myself. One day I wanted to be a lawyer, the next I wanted to go into finance. I also still wanted to integrate STEM somehow into all of this, so chemical engineering was the best decision for me."
Combination of Sciences
As mentioned previously, I wanted to continue studying STEM subjects, but that’s quite broad. Out of all my science classes, I was really passionate about chemistry and originally wanted to be a chemist and do pure chemistry instead. However, I still really liked my coursework in mathematics, physics, and biology, and wanted something that was a “mixing pot” of all of these. Pure chemistry was also a bit more lab-focused and technical; I wanted to do something that was more applied and large-scale, so chemical engineering worked around all of these factors.
Final Thoughts!
I’m glad I took up chemical engineering, especially at UMass! I had so many amazing opportunities with this major over the last two and a half years. I got to study abroad (like I haven't talked about that a bunch already), participate in a National Science Foundation-funded research program, and even be an undergraduate teaching assistant, and still have so much more to learn and experience!
I only wish that I had planned out some of my classes better towards the start of my degree, as I could’ve done a dual degree in legal studies. I’m really interested in law as well, and I’m still debating whether or not I want to go to law school in the future (definitely not right after my undergraduate degree though), so a dual degree would be something I’d love to do.
Other than that, my only advice is to take it slow! It's okay if you aren’t completely sure about what you want to do for the rest of your life, I know I still don’t! That’s what college is for—take this time to explore different subject areas and see what works for you and what doesn’t. You got this! And always reach out to your advisors if there’s something else you want to pursue, they’re always there to help you!
