There continues to be a growing need within the plastics industry for technically trained personnel excited about the ever-changing advancements in engineering, automation and manufacturing. Here are our top six reasons why we think plastics technology and engineering students will love their future jobs.

1. 6 REASONS
plastic technology & engineering
students will love their future jobs
T H E E N G I N E E R I N G R E S O U R C E C E N T E R
W W W . T H E E R C . C O M

2. As the magnitude of our home
state’s prominence in this industry
increases, injection molding,
manufacturing and prototype
development solidifies its place as a
progressive opportunity for plastics
technology students.
There continues to be a growing
need for technically trained
personnel excited about the ever-
changing advancements in plastics
engineering, automation and
manufacturing.
OF ALL U.S. PLASTICS
MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY
TAKES PLACE WITHIN A
500-MILE RADIUS OF
WISCONSIN
NEARLY
36%

3. J O B O P P O R T U N I T I E S
The plastics industry is the 3rd largest manufacturing industry in
the United States, employing nearly 900 thousand workers in 18,500
facilities. Plastic technology and engineering students have the
benefit of well-paying entry level jobs and room for advancement.
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4. GLOBALIZED
INDUSTRY&
TRAVEL
Interested in traveling to other
countries? It is not uncommon that
plastics technology workers see their
work take them across international
boundaries and cultures.
02

5. O P P O R T U N I T Y
T O S P E C I A L I Z E
The plastics industry is made
up of many areas to specialize
in, such as automotive,
medical, industrial, injection
molding, thermoforming,
prototype engineering and
more. Having a broad
knowledge of all processes
and polymers will be helpful
when starting your career.
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6. H E L P I N G T H E E N V I R O N M E N T
Not only are developments in recycling and product compostability
ongoing, plastics now have an environmental profile that helps us
save energy and fuel. Future engineers have exciting opportunities to
develop new technologies that reduce the negative effects of plastic
on the environment.
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7. CROSS-FUNCTIONAL
RESPONSIBILITIES
Job responsibilities in the plastics
technology industry are oftentimes
multi-functional. From prototype
development, engineering, tooling,
use of various software and
technology, manufacturing and more,
employees often touch all areas of
research, design and development.
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8. T E C H N O L O G Y
A N D I N N O V A T I O N
With the ever-increasing need
to provide value to customers
and improve efficiency, the
plastics industry is paving the
way for the new generation of
automation, cutting-edge
software, technology
capabilities and manufacturing
innovation.
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9. CONCLUSION
W W W . T H E E R C . C O M
Plastics technology and production
continues to maintain a prominent
place among manufacturing in the
United States. With new production
procedures and advancements in
technology, domestic manufacturing is
experiencing an upsurge. As The ERC
expands, we aim to make our office an
innovative and exciting place for future
plastic engineers to work.