Sean MacDonald

Background

About Sean MacDonald

I am a chemical engineer graduate from the University of Pittsburgh. I am currently looking for a job that will continue to improve upon my experience as a chemical engineer. Since childhood, my love of math and science caused everyone around me to say I should be an engineer when I grew up. Being more than happy to follow in my dad's footsteps, I tailored my high school experience towards becoming an engineer. It was in high school that I first experienced engineering in the form of 3D design. I continued taking all the available engineering classes, but it was not until junior year where I found my love for chemistry. Naturally, chemical engineering became my primary focus when searching for schools in which I can master my passion.​ Thankfully, the University of Pittsburgh has given me a rigorous curriculum to improve both my work ethic as well as my overall knowledge of the subject. The most beneficial classes I have had consist of my chemical engineering pillar classes and labs, the art of making, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry. Most recently, my senior design class offered a realistic opportunity to work with a team of engineers to complete the task of designing an entire chemical plant. This included a material balance based on the total product, a comprehensive design for each separate piece of equipment, process economics, optimization, process control, safety considerations, and professional and ethical responsibilities associated with the plant. We then presented to the class, professors, and a few professionals in industry how we accomplished the plant design and what were our results. During the summer of 2021, I worked at ARx as an engineering intern. ARx specializes in drug delivery systems, and I was put in charge of writing and performing the equipment requalification procedures for all of the process equipment. To do this, I primarily looked through the installation documents for a baseline of what to write for the procedures, and then I collaborated heavily with the operators and other engineers who were more familiar with the equipment to complete the requalifications. From my experience, I have learned more about the multiple applications my chemical engineering degree has to industry and how to use my knowledge and skills to be advantageous in a professional setting.