Join science clubs and participate in other extracurricular activities while in high school. Get involved in professional associations for engineering and science, for access to mentoring programs, science contests, and career development resources. Read publications such as the American Chemical Societys ChemMatters, which is geared to high school students. Visit https://www.acs.org/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters.html to access the publication. The societys Explore Chemistry section of its Web site (https://www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry.html) will also be useful.

Participate in engineering- and science-related summer exploration programs that are offered by colleges and universities, high schools, companies, and professional associations. For example, the National Student Leadership Conference offers summer exploration programs in biotechnology, engineering, and other areas. Learn more at https://www.nslcleaders.org.

College students learn more about the science field through student affiliate memberships to associations such as the American Chemical Society (ACS), American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Biomedical Engineering Society, and SME. Explore the Web sites of these organizations for articles, publications, and industry news.

Another way to get direct insight into biochemical engineering as a career is to conduct an information interview with someone working in the job. Your schools career services office can help you with your search for potential interviewees.

A mentor can also offer helpful information and guidance. The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) has a mentor program that matches students with SWE member mentors located in their area.

Biochemical engineers work in a variety of industries because of their knowledge of biochemistry, chemistry, math, physics, and other sciences. They are employed in manufacturing, food manufacturing, agri-technology, pharmaceuticals, and health care, to name a few. Many work in the chemical industry, which converts raw materials into products.

Biochemical engineers work in corporate laboratories or those that are part of a research institution. They may work as metabolic engineers, using molecular genetics tools to improve production of metabolites and proteins. Enzyme engineers create chemicals and biochemicals from biocatalysts. Tissue engineers focus on combating disease through living cell transplantations. CRISPR scientists use the CRISPR genome engineering tool to edit or remove genes that cause disease or other medical conditions; to increase the shelf life and improve the nutritional value and taste of fruits and vegetables; to develop new sources of bioenergy; and meet other scientific goals.

Engineers work with research engineers to develop new processes and products, or they may improve on methods to make existing products. The companys marketing department may come up with product ideas. The next step is laboratory studies and experiments for the products biochemical process. If the process is deemed to be not viable, the project stops here.

Biochemical engineers may work at pilot plants, which are small commercial plants used to develop and refine products. They run tests on the products processes and make modifications as needed, with the goal being to improve safety, reduce waste, and streamline production time and costs. The development stage entails detailed record keeping of the tests and findings.

Process design engineers work on processes that are deemed viable. They create process plans for efficient, large-scale manufacturing of the product while retaining the products high quality. They factor the following into their plans: process requirements and cost, operator convenience and safety, waste minimization, legal regulations, and environment preservation. Process design engineers also help design the equipment used in the process, working closely with mechanical, electrical, and civil engineers.

Biochemical engineers have an understanding of all aspects of biochemical, chemical, drug, and other types of product manufacturing. They know the effects that the manufacturing process has on the environment and the importance of safety for workers and consumers.

Depending on the type of company they work for, some biochemical engineers may work as project engineers, overseeing the construction of new plants and installation of new equipment. Some work in construction as field engineers, who are involved in the testing and initial operation of equipment and other areas of plant start-up. Production engineers oversee daily operations, including rates of production, scheduling, worker safety, quality control, and other important operational concerns.

Biochemical engineers may work in environmental control, focusing on air and water pollution control, waste management, and recycling. They work closely with other engineers in areas such as research and development, process design, equipment and plant construction, and production, making sure environmental protection measures are incorporated into the biochemical engineering process.

Those with years of experience in the field may work as technical sales engineers, helping customers find the manufactured products that match their needs, including finding products that can be used more economically. Others work as biomedical engineers, collaborating with physicians to develop systems that track critical chemical processes in the body or studying methods that are best for administering a particular drug to a patient.