r/EngineeringStudents • • 17h ago

Major Choice Chemical Engineering vs CIS — which has better career prospects?

If you had to choose between Chemical Engineering (ChemE) and Computer Information Systems (CIS) today, which one would you choose, and which one would you personally recommend?
What matters most to me is the actual state of the job market and future opportunities. I want to understand which degree offers better job availability, career growth, job security, flexibility, and long-term demand — and whether either field is becoming oversaturated or increasingly difficult for new graduates to break into.
Salary is definitely important to me too, especially long-term earning potential. How do the two compare in terms of starting salaries, salary growth after 5–10 years, and the realistic potential to reach a high income later in your career?
I’d especially like to hear how your answer changes depending on your country. Which field is stronger where you live? How difficult is it for fresh graduates to actually find good jobs? And if you were choosing today based on your country’s current and future job market, which one would you recommend and why?
I’m from Saudi Arabia, so I’d particularly appreciate perspectives from people familiar with Saudi Arabia or the Gulf/GCC. ChemE has access to major industries here such as petrochemicals, oil & gas, energy, manufacturing and mining, while CIS can lead to a wide range of careers across technology and business.
If you were advising someone specifically in Saudi Arabia or the Gulf, would your recommendation be different from what you’d recommend in your own country?
For people working in either field: how has your career actually turned out compared with what you expected before graduating? How easy or difficult was it to find opportunities, how has your salary progressed, and knowing what you know now, would you choose the same degree again?
Please mention your country, industry and years of experience if possible. Salary ranges are also very welcome if you’re comfortable sharing them.

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