Here's how you can pivot from mid-career chemical engineering to academia or research.

Every chemical engineer can't do it. Every chemical engineer is not theoretically sound. Every chemical engineer does not have the teaching skills nor they like teaching. Those who have above can switch to research or academia with no problems

I am a chemical engineer with a master's degree in mechanical engineering. I worked for a few years as a process engineer and research and development engineer for new products. Today I work as an Engineering teacher and I am a Diversity Ambassador, encouraging more black girls to study engineering.

I think it is very important to complete a master's degree and doctorate to pursue a career as a teacher. However, the teacher must have field experience, know how the day-to-day life of an engineer who works in a refinery, for example, or in any other industry, really works. For me, as an engineering professor at one of the main institutions in Brazil, my experience in the industry was fundamental to knowing what works and doesn't work in a project.

Networking is essential for engineering professionals seeking to pursue academic careers, as it provides opportunities for collaboration, access to resources and financing, professional development and visibility in the academic community. Investing time and effort in building and maintaining a solid network can be a significant difference in the progress and success of an academic career. Talk to people who have already made a career transition to understand how they went through this process.

I share my work a lot through scientific articles and also national and international newspapers and magazines. I recorded a Tedx talking about being a black woman in engineering. Publicize your work and research. It will definitely contribute to society.

Part-time teaching offers a comprehensive pathway for a chemical engineering professional to transition into a full-time academic role. It provides practical teaching experience, enhances research credentials, fosters mentorship opportunities, and develops essential soft and administrative skills which are all essential for engaging with students, faculty, and administrators. Plus, you need evaluations to prove that you are worthy of teaching. By engaging in part-time teaching, the professional not only builds a strong foundation in pedagogy and research but also demonstrates a commitment to academic excellence and student success, making them a compelling candidate for academic positions.

Real-world experience is gold. Teaching part-time allows engineers to stay grounded in the industry while sharing valuable insights. It's about keeping it real with students, not just theory but how things truly work out there.

I finished my degree and preferred to go into industry. The famous "hands-on". Then I gradually moved to the academic field. It's really cool to have experience in the classroom, remembering that undergraduate and postgraduate audiences are different, and it's up to the teacher to identify their audience to better prepare the class, letting the student be the protagonist.

It's not all rosy – the pay might not match industry standards, and the pace can be maddeningly slow. But for those who thrive on imparting wisdom and pushing boundaries, it could be a rewarding detour.

Transitioning to academia involves leveraging both your technical and leadership skills. Enhance your lab experience by refining methodologies, developing innovations like new algorithms or AI/ML applications, and documenting protocols or by developing new tools for various tasks. Stay abreast of new things going on in your field. Lead team projects to build management skills, which is essential for supervising students. Gain part-time teaching experience to develop a teaching portfolio and secure evaluations. Manage contracts and research projects to demonstrate administrative and supervisory capabilities. These steps will deepen your expertise and prepare you for the diverse demands of academia, positioning you as a strong candidate.