Additional Information
Examine how plastics are used if you are interested in this career. "Take
a look around you," says Judy Grimson. She is a plastics engineer. "The more
you think about what's made of plastics, the better.
"Make sure you keep up on sciences and math in high school," says Grimson.
A student will need to have a good grasp of chemistry, physics and math to
study in the plastics engineering field.
Plastics engineer Larry Dawson advises students to do a considerable amount
of searching before they decide what type of plastics engineering they would
like to do. "You have to consider whether you'd like to work in high-tech
defense or work in a commodity industry making car bumpers or milk bottles,"
he says.
In the U.S., plastics engineers are usually required to receive a bachelor's
degree in engineering. Often, employers require an engineer to be certified
as a professional engineer.
About 320 colleges and universities in the United States offer bachelor's
degree programs in engineering that are accredited by the Accreditation Board
for Engineering and Technology (ABET). However, only one -- the University
of Massachusetts -- offers a program specific to the plastics engineering
profession.
Although courses are offered in plastics engineering, fields such as mechanical
and chemical engineering can be applied to the plastics industry.
Undergraduate programs in engineering are typically designed to last four
years. But many students find that it takes between four and five years to
complete their studies.
Registration as a professional engineer upon graduation is not necessary
in plastics, but it is recommended.
Be prepared to remain a student throughout your career. Technological changes
in the industry mean constant upgrading for engineers.