Careers in Plastics

Q: I am presently getting started in the plastic industry. Is there a call for plastic injection molders?

A: There are literally thousands of injection molding companies in the United States. And despite the high numbers, the vast majority of them are successful because they developed a business plan that fit both their capabilities and the particular needs of the marketplace. You may want to visit the website of the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI). SPI is a large trade organization comprised of plastics resin producers, processors, and plastics processing equipment manufacturers. SPI has extensive knowledge and statistics on the plastics processing industry, and should be able to provide you with another perspective on the injection molding business.

Q: What colleges and universities offer plastics engineering degrees?

A: There are many colleges and universities in Michigan and the Detroit area that offer plastics engineering degrees. They include University of Michigan-Dearborn, Central Michigan University-Detroit-area Campus, Oakland University, and Ferris State University. Plastics engineering classes are also offered at Michigan State University.

Q: I am a high school student interested in styling automobile exteriors, however, I do not know this job's official title. Could you tell me this and recommend colleges and courses that would help me excel in this career.

A: The job's title is automotive stylist or automotive designer. The two premiere schools in the U.S. offering transportation design degrees are the College for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI, and the Art Center School of Design, Pasadena, CA. The Academy of Art College in San Francisco, CA, also offers a transportation design degree; also check out Car Design News, a website sponsored by the Academy of Art College. Courses you could take while in high school might include art and drawing classes, engineering classes, and computer aided design classes. Of course, doing well in these classes, while maintaining a good overall GPA will definitely be of great benefit to you as your education and career progress.

Q: I teach middle school science. Do you know of any resources that would help in my instruction of polymer sciences?

A: Please visit Teaching Plastics. This interactive site contains lesson plans and background information on plastics for teachers of elementary and middle school students. Developed in conjunction with the National Middle Level Science Teachers Association (NMLSTA), the Hands on Plastics Scientific Investigation Kit is a resource to help middle school teachers answer some very basic chemistry questions about plastics.

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