Plastics engineers develop new plastics for various industries. A bachelor’s degree in engineering, supervised experience, and licensing exams are required. High school students can prepare by taking advanced courses. Mechanical and chemical engineering graduates are preferred. After earning a degree, one can take licensing exams and start as an assistant. Four years of experience are required to take the second licensing exam.
Plastics engineers research and develop new plastics that can be used in any number of industries. Experts create lightweight airplane parts, tough computers and safe food containers, among hundreds of other plastic items. A person who wants to become a plastics engineer usually needs to earn a bachelor’s degree in an engineering specialty, gain supervised experience in the field, and pass a series of licensing exams. With the appropriate credentials, a professional can become a plastics engineer in a factory or private research and development company.
A high school student interested in engineering plastics can prepare for a career by taking advanced courses in physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. Such classes are important for providing a fundamental understanding of scientific principles and research methods. Language and computer science courses are also important in helping an individual develop the necessary communication skills in an engineering position. A student can begin applying to accredited four-year universities and colleges with advanced engineering programs in their senior year of high school.
An individual who wants to become a plastics engineer can specialize in any engineering science or specialty, although employers generally prefer to hire mechanical and chemical engineering graduates. As an engineering student, the student often has the chance to work first-hand with the materials and machines commonly used in industry. In addition, he or she receives detailed instruction in mathematics, physics, organic chemistry and computer-aided design. Some schools offer internship opportunities to give students hands-on experience in the field.
After earning a degree, an individual can take the first of two national licensing tests and begin looking for entry-level jobs. Online job search sites can be very helpful in identifying potential leads. A person who has the chance to become a plastics engineer usually starts out as an assistant. He or she receives formal on-the-job training from experienced workers to learn about specific policies and techniques. Over time, a new worker can become a junior engineer and take on more responsibilities.
In most countries, a professional needs to acquire about four years of experience before he can take the second licensing exam to become a plastics engineer. The license is required to ensure a worker understands the importance of following national safety regulations and meeting industry quality standards. A newly licensed plastics engineer can begin to conduct independent research and lead teams of junior workers on major projects.
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