Overview
Process engineering roles in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and oil and gas sectors demand graduates who can bridge the gap between academic process design and real plant operation. Companies like INEOS, GSK, and Johnson Matthey want to see that you understand mass and energy balances in a commercial context, not just in a university problem sheet. HAZOP awareness, process simulation software, and an understanding of safety culture are expected from day one.
This resume belongs to Marcus Okafor, a Chemical Engineering graduate from the University of Birmingham who completed a 12 month industrial placement at INEOS Grangemouth. During that placement he supported process optimisation work that contributed to a 3.2% yield improvement on an ethylene cracker unit, participated in 6 HAZOP sessions, and updated 15 P&IDs in SmartPlant P&ID.
What Makes This Resume Work
Yield improvement is quantified and commercially meaningful. A 3.2% yield improvement on an ethylene cracker is a significant result. Naming this figure, rather than vaguely describing "process optimisation," gives the reader a concrete achievement to assess and shows that Marcus understands the commercial impact of engineering work.
HAZOP participation demonstrates safety awareness. Process safety is paramount in the chemical industry. Attending 6 HAZOP sessions as a placement student is unusual and shows that Marcus was trusted to contribute to a formal safety assessment process, not just observe.
P&ID experience connects design to operations. Updating 15 P&IDs is a tangible deliverable that shows Marcus can read, interpret, and maintain the primary process documentation used on a live plant. This skill is directly transferable to any process engineering role.
Key Takeaways
Graduate process engineers should reference the specific processes, units, or products they worked with on placement, and quantify any improvements they contributed to. Mention HAZOP or safety-related activities explicitly, name the simulation and documentation tools you used (Aspen HYSYS, SmartPlant), and include IChemE membership to demonstrate professional engagement. A final year design project with a full process flow diagram and economic analysis shows you can handle the breadth of process engineering, not just the calculations.
