hi

can anyone provide input on the job market for chemical engineers in Calgary ? i dont have a PE just a degree from india

kind of concerned about work opportunities in canada

Calgary is Good for Chemical & ,petroleum engr etc.

Hi Dan,

Could you please provide some additional details like

1. University from which you graduated.

2. Years of experience and in what companies you have worked for examples being MNC'S in pharmaceuticals/ biotechnology, refineries, fertilizers etc .

3. If you have experience in R&D, design/ process engineering its much easier to get a P.Eng /job compared to production area's.

4. Any specialized skill like SAP or Oracle manufacturing.

5. ISO/ GMP knowledge.

Regards,

Nikhil

hi nikhil

my degrees are

1. MBA from US
CHem engg from Mumbai

2. Experience is in the area of specialty chemicals approx 8 yrs all in marketing

3. no prior experience as a process engineer
4. no specialized skills like SAP or Oracle Mfg
5. no ISO/GMP knowledge

regards

dan

Hi Dan,

1. Since you have an MBA from US it should help you to some extent. You can try for a marketing job in water treatment chemicals or chemicals used in the paper industry. Try GE for water treatment chemicals or Kemira these are just a few examples. You can also apply to some of the leading pharma companies P&G, Merck, Glaxo in pharma sales. Visit their websites and check if there are any vacancies apply online.

2. Also check monster.ca and workopolis.ca and find if there are any jobs which match your experience. Apply for these jobs but don't indicate your present address if you are not in Canada. Just mention your e-mail id. If they are impressed with your resume they will contact you and ask you for your phone number etc but still that will give you some confidence.

3. Visit health canada and US FDA to get knowledge on GMP requirements. Download and study them whenever you have the time.

4. If you still have a year or two before you land in Canada then try to get some theoretical and practical training in analytical chemistry in HPLC, AA, UV-Vis, Karl Fischer apparatus, GC,NMR etc. This knowledge should assist you in both QC jobs as well as in R&D.

5. Buy Perry's hand book of chemical engg (CD version). Its worth the money.

With your experience in sales you may also think of setting up your own business (after a few years )in marketing of speciality chemicals like Silicones which have wide applications. I am interested in these so maybe we could dream of some great ideas. Also buying of bulk fertilizers and selling their blends. The possibilities are endless.


Keep in touch.

Thanks and regards,

Nikhil

Hi Nikhil

Thanks a lot for your reply. You mentioned some good points about what i could do before coming in. I have local experience in Toronto already in the area of market research. I want to combine my marketing and sales and chemical background now and that is my first option.

I will look at the Perry handbook although i do have an old edition. Its pretty old so maybe i need the new one with the CD

As for R&D and QC, its a bit more difficult but if i stay in Mumbai for a year or so, I will try and gain this theoretical and practical experience.

And sure, we could talk about setting up a business after a few years. Just give me an idea of your background and profile and of course i will keep in touch.

Just a question on the PE/PMP. Should i think about spending time and money on these right now or wait until I get there. I dont have the 12 months they want for PE in Canada but it seems they give a provisional license or something. As well if i should try to get something special like Oracle or SAP Manufacturing training. Its sure likely to be cost effective getting it in Mumbai rather than Toronto.

Thanks and Regards
Dan