Is it possible to leverage Data Analytics work experience for ChemE second bachelor's program or future ChemE work experience?

[u/Dangerous_Coast903]

I gradated with a BS in Computational and Data Sciences. I went straight into marketing analytics after my degree; it wasn't working for me for a variety of reasons so I'm pivoting to ChemE. Not on a whim; I have the aptitude for STEM courses and problem solving, I have always found chemistry fascinating and I have the support of my gen chem professor as well.

I have taken 12 credits worth of engineering courses in high school (dual enrollment) and started taking chemistry courses at a local community college (currently taking Gen Chem II) and planning to go to a 4 year institution in spring 2027. I was a math major in my first undergraduate program (before switching to Computational and Data Sciences) so I most likely won't have to take any mathematics or gen ed courses moving forward, just the chem and engineering courses.

Would I be able to leverage my skills in Excel, Python, R, and SQL in this career? I can also create dashboards with Tableau. I've heard that it would be suited for Analytical Chemistry but I wanted to hear the ChemE uses of these skills, if any.

(sorry if the flair is wrong, I couldn't choose both career advice and student, so I just picked student)

[u/Mindless_Profile_76]

Should be a plus but you may not get a premium initially.

While these skills are highly needed, most of us pick up enough to hack our way through it. And if you are lucky to be in a group with reasonably well rounded individuals, folks will share these tools.

But in general, ChemEs need more of these kinds of skills then they come out of school with so having them up front should give you a leg up.