2 answers
Joyce
Student
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
1
Question
Updated
1441 views
How can I become a Cosmetic Chemist with a BS in Chemical Engineering?
Hello, my planned approach to this is to take a masters degree after my bachelor's and I'm thinking of either doing a MS in Cosmetic Science or a MS in Pharmaceutics with a specialization in Cosmetic Science. Any other recommended master degrees or methods in achieving this role in the cosmetic industry? Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! #chemical-engineering #engineering #chemistry #masters #cosmetics
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2 answers
Adam Pridgen
Process Engineering
26
Answers
Columbus, Ohio
Updated
Adam’s Answer
The best way to get into the cosmetic related field is to pursue roles within the personal care industry. Personal care encompasses beauty products like bath and body care/make-up applications to home care products such as aromatic aerosols (sprays and fragrance diffusers). There are a couple of approaches to be specialized in the personal care/cosmetic field outside with just a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry.
With a chemical engineering or chemistry degree it would be beneficial to obtain a manufacturing role within a personal care company to boost your exposure to the unit processes involved in personal care/home care/beauty product manufacturing. Here you would be able to apply the theoretical processing skills and techniques learned during the undergraduate curriculum that chemical engineers are taught.
Roles that would be beneficial are:
-Compounding/batch processing supervisor/lead roles (helps to get inundated with raw material handling and bulk processing in upstream activities)
-Process engineering (generally an interface role between R&D/Product Development and operations to mitigate risks and optimize current and new processes for continuous improvement efforts)
-Quality Management (manages the compliance aspect of company's products to ensure specifications are met, documentation control, oversee production activities of finished good materials a.k.a. packaged product accountability, and similar responsibilities)
-Packaging Engineering (work with packaging components to incorporate new technologies and packaging processes in downstream activities)
-Research/Product Development (mainly laboratory work to aid in day to day quality control testing of products and materials that require skills of laboratory practices in benchtop work, use of analytical equipment, and small scale qualification of new products)
You don't necessarily have to specialize in a particular field to obtain the role you desire unless you know the exact qualifications a role prefers. An MS or PhD never hurts your career trajectory as it further develops your skills in a more focalized manner. As an engineer, it's best to gain actual experiences within your desired field or similar fields with a bachelors to not only expand on the knowledge gained in school but to also prime other professional attributes like leadership and collaboration. Generally good companies will support higher education opportunities (MS, MBA) through offering tuition reimbursement if advancement prefers those accolades. A great benefit of a chemical engineering degree is the transferable understanding on the basics of unit processes that most industries use (personal care, pharmaceuticals, nutrition, oil and gas, food and beverage, and many more).
With a chemical engineering or chemistry degree it would be beneficial to obtain a manufacturing role within a personal care company to boost your exposure to the unit processes involved in personal care/home care/beauty product manufacturing. Here you would be able to apply the theoretical processing skills and techniques learned during the undergraduate curriculum that chemical engineers are taught.
Roles that would be beneficial are:
-Compounding/batch processing supervisor/lead roles (helps to get inundated with raw material handling and bulk processing in upstream activities)
-Process engineering (generally an interface role between R&D/Product Development and operations to mitigate risks and optimize current and new processes for continuous improvement efforts)
-Quality Management (manages the compliance aspect of company's products to ensure specifications are met, documentation control, oversee production activities of finished good materials a.k.a. packaged product accountability, and similar responsibilities)
-Packaging Engineering (work with packaging components to incorporate new technologies and packaging processes in downstream activities)
-Research/Product Development (mainly laboratory work to aid in day to day quality control testing of products and materials that require skills of laboratory practices in benchtop work, use of analytical equipment, and small scale qualification of new products)
You don't necessarily have to specialize in a particular field to obtain the role you desire unless you know the exact qualifications a role prefers. An MS or PhD never hurts your career trajectory as it further develops your skills in a more focalized manner. As an engineer, it's best to gain actual experiences within your desired field or similar fields with a bachelors to not only expand on the knowledge gained in school but to also prime other professional attributes like leadership and collaboration. Generally good companies will support higher education opportunities (MS, MBA) through offering tuition reimbursement if advancement prefers those accolades. A great benefit of a chemical engineering degree is the transferable understanding on the basics of unit processes that most industries use (personal care, pharmaceuticals, nutrition, oil and gas, food and beverage, and many more).
Francisco Torres Diaz
Industrial Engineer, MSE, MBA
69
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Francisco’s Answer
Hi Joyce,
This is a very interesting question. I am not 100% sure where in your journey are you, but it is great that you are considering grad school as a way of specializing on a field you are passionate about. I completely believe a masters can offer you the additional knowledge and research development opportunities that can grant you the skills needed for more advanced roles.
In terms of how to best use your degree, or how to optimize the chances to reach that role is to do research on the market. Look for what companies hire for this job, who are their usual applicants, is this an entry level job, or does it require work experience? Make sure you understand if this is something you can apply to immediately after graduation, or if you will need to enter the industry through a different role. Another way you can learn more and get closer to your goal is seeking internships or co-ops with cosmetic product companies so you can learn about the industry, obtain work experience, and network with people who currently hold the role you would like to have in the future.
Finally, another way to prepare for the job is to focus your projects, research, or any kind of relevant engineering work towards it. The more you learn about the industry, the processes, and your experience reflects that passion, the more you will seem like a perfect candidate. Nothing says you are the person for the job, as a resume aimed at the kind of role you are looking for.
Hope this helps answer your question. Good luck!
This is a very interesting question. I am not 100% sure where in your journey are you, but it is great that you are considering grad school as a way of specializing on a field you are passionate about. I completely believe a masters can offer you the additional knowledge and research development opportunities that can grant you the skills needed for more advanced roles.
In terms of how to best use your degree, or how to optimize the chances to reach that role is to do research on the market. Look for what companies hire for this job, who are their usual applicants, is this an entry level job, or does it require work experience? Make sure you understand if this is something you can apply to immediately after graduation, or if you will need to enter the industry through a different role. Another way you can learn more and get closer to your goal is seeking internships or co-ops with cosmetic product companies so you can learn about the industry, obtain work experience, and network with people who currently hold the role you would like to have in the future.
Finally, another way to prepare for the job is to focus your projects, research, or any kind of relevant engineering work towards it. The more you learn about the industry, the processes, and your experience reflects that passion, the more you will seem like a perfect candidate. Nothing says you are the person for the job, as a resume aimed at the kind of role you are looking for.
Hope this helps answer your question. Good luck!