--- title: A Career in the Plastics Industry Can Be Rewarding description: he plastics industry offers great careers! With hands-on learning and strong growth potential, it’s a smart path for those seeking long-term success. image: https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/AKAC%20Press%20Release%20Header-Mar-24-2022-01-09-23-47-AM.jpg --- [ Order Online ](https://asaclean.my.site.com/b2bstore) [ Free Sample ](https://offers.asaclean.com/free-sample) ## [ Asaclean Blog ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog) Browse by Topic " aerospace asaclean asaclean news Asaclean® benefits asahi kasei automotive Best Practices black specks blisters blow molding blown-film extrusion buyers caps and closures carbon contamination cast-film extrusion Chemical Purging Compounds clear applications Color Changeovers Company News compounding consumer products contamination Cost savings custom molders Customer Success Story decreasing scrap defects electronics Energy Efficiency EX Grade extruder cleaning Extrusion fillament glass filled Glitter Grade Selection HDPE High and Low Temp Changeovers hold a bubble Hot Runners Injection Molding Injection Molding Tips LDPE Lightweight automotive components LLDPE low residue maintenance Material Changeovers Mechanical Purging Compounds medical Melt Flow Index NPE 24 nylons on the fly packaging PCR PEEK Polypropylene Post Consumer Resins preventative preventative purging processing tips profile extrusion Purge Program purge programs Purge Training Purge Trial purging purging compounds purging concentrates purging procedures Purging Tips quality recycled resins residue issues scrap reduction Screw Pulls sheet extrusion shutdown and sealing start-up super engineering resins Sustainability Tech Day technical support training trials Troubleshooting Twin Screw twin screw extrusion two step purging U Grade ULTEM venting Viscosity webinars wire extrusion - 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[Post Consumer Resins](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/post-consumer-resins) - [preventative](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/preventative) - [preventative purging](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/preventative-purging) - [processing tips](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/processing-tips) - [profile extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/profile-extrusion) - [Purge Program](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purge-program) - [purge programs](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purge-programs) - [Purge Training](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purge-training) - [Purge Trial](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purge-trial) - [purging](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purging) - [purging compounds](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purging-compounds) - [purging concentrates](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purging-concentrates) - [purging procedures](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purging-procedures) - [Purging Tips](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purging-tips) - [quality](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/quality) - [recycled resins](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/recycled-resins) - [residue issues](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/residue-issues) - [scrap reduction](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/scrap-reduction) - [Screw Pulls](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/screw-pulls) - [sheet extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/sheet-extrusion) - [shutdown and sealing](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/shutdown-and-sealing) - [start-up](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/start-up) - [super engineering resins](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/super-engineering-resins) - [Sustainability](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/sustainability) - [Tech Day](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/tech-day) - [technical support](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/technical-support) - [training](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/training) - [trials](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/trials) - [Troubleshooting](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/troubleshooting) - [Twin Screw](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/twin-screw) - [twin screw extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/twin-screw-extrusion) - [two step purging](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/two-step-purging) - [U Grade](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/u-grade) - [ULTEM](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/ultem) - [venting](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/venting) - [Viscosity](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/viscosity) - [webinars](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/webinars) - [wire extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/wire-extrusion) [ Subscribe ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/a-career-in-the-plastics-industry-can-be-rewarding#subscribe-modal) ### Suscribirse / 1 min read / September 28, 2012 # A Career in the Plastics Industry Can Be Rewarding - [Facebook Share ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fa-career-in-the-plastics-industry-can-be-rewarding) - [Twitter Tweet ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fa-career-in-the-plastics-industry-can-be-rewarding&text=A+Career+in+the+Plastics+Industry+Can+Be+Rewarding) - [LinkedIn Share ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fa-career-in-the-plastics-industry-can-be-rewarding&title=A%20Career%20in%20the%20Plastics%20Industry%20Can%20Be%20Rewarding&summary=he+plastics+industry+offers+great+careers%21+With+hands-on+learning+and+strong+growth+potential%2C+it%E2%80%99s+a+smart+path+for+those+seeking+long-term+success.&source=) - [Pinterest Pin ](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fa-career-in-the-plastics-industry-can-be-rewarding) - [Email Email ](mailto:?subject=A%20Career%20in%20the%20Plastics%20Industry%20Can%20Be%20Rewarding&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fa-career-in-the-plastics-industry-can-be-rewarding) ![A Career in the Plastics Industry Can Be Rewarding](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AKAC%20Press%20Release%20Header-Mar-24-2022-01-09-23-47-AM.jpg?width=640&height=500&name=AKAC%20Press%20Release%20Header-Mar-24-2022-01-09-23-47-AM.jpg) ![](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Gabe-7-2-2012-sm-150x150.jpg?width=150&height=150&name=Gabe-7-2-2012-sm-150x150.jpg "Gabe-7-2-2012 sm")All of us were young once and most undecided on what we wanted to do when we got thrown into the real world. Is college for me or not? A buddy of mine was working at a local plastics plant and said I should try the factory job out. The pay was fair, the work environment seemed safe, but I knew nothing about plastics at the time. The owner of the company was a great guy and offered as much training as one would want to take to learn about plastics. I saw this opportunity and actually took a liking to things once I understood the basics. He allowed me to learn processing on the first injection molding machine he ever purchased. There were only three knobs to turn back then: Peak, Hold and Back Pressure. If an injection molding machine that was thirty years old can make good parts then just think what new technology could do today. So I stuck things out and continued learning and growing in the plastics industry. That was 20 years ago and look at the industry now! If you or someone you know is undecided on a career path consider the plastics industry. It is a great return on investment and actually your investment is very minimal but can be very rewarding for many years to come. ![Tom Hanvey](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tom%20Headshot.jpg?width=150&name=Tom%20Headshot.jpg) #### [ Tom Hanvey ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/tom-hanvey) Tom Hanvey is the Associate Director of Marketing & Sustainability at Asahi Kasei Plastics North America. Before joining APNA, he worked as the Senior Marketing Manager for Asaclean Purging Compounds. He's worked in the plastics industry for over 10 years and focuses on recyclable resins and on the inbound marketing side, providing easy-to-digest content to processors looking for an edge on their competition. - [Share On LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashanvey/) ## Related Posts [![](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/switching-purging-compounds.jpg?width=450&height=250&name=switching-purging-compounds.jpg) Industry Secret: How Switching Purging Compounds Results In Faster Changeovers Troubleshooting / 2 min read / January 10, 2017 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/how-switching-purging-compounds-results-in-faster-changeovers) [![](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AKAC%20Press%20Release%20Header-Mar-23-2022-09-16-06-44-PM.jpg?width=450&height=250&name=AKAC%20Press%20Release%20Header-Mar-23-2022-09-16-06-44-PM.jpg) Sun Plastech Expands Its Headquarters asaclean news / 1 min read / June 06, 2013 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/sun-plastech-expands-its-headquarters) ## Comments Get Started ## Ready to start improving your efficiency and increasing your profitability? - [Request a Consultation](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/a-career-in-the-plastics-industry-can-be-rewarding#) - [Contact Sales](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/a-career-in-the-plastics-industry-can-be-rewarding#) ![](https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/assets/images/icons/icon-layers.svg) #### Free Sample Request a free sample of Asaclean® Purging Compounds for your plant and start saving today. 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[See your savings](https://www.asaclean.com/cost-savings-calculator) [ Back to Top ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/a-career-in-the-plastics-industry-can-be-rewarding#top) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Tom Hanvey", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/tom-hanvey" }, "dateModified" : "2025-03-18T15:24:10.974Z", "datePublished" : "2012-09-28T19:11:53.000Z", "headline" : "A Career in the Plastics Industry Can Be Rewarding", "image" : [ "https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/AKAC%20Press%20Release%20Header-Mar-24-2022-01-09-23-47-AM.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/a-career-in-the-plastics-industry-can-be-rewarding", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/Asaclean%20Logo%20TM.jpg" }, "name" : "Asahi Kasei Plastics North America" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Article", "articleBody" : "All of us were young once and most undecided on what we wanted to do when we got thrown into the real world. Is college for me or not? A buddy of mine was working at a local plastics plant and said I should try the factory job out. The pay was fair, the work environment seemed safe, but I knew nothing about plastics at the time. The owner of the company was a great guy and offered as much training as one would want to take to learn about plastics. I saw this opportunity and actually took a liking to things once I understood the basics. He allowed me to learn processing on the first injection molding machine he ever purchased. There were only three knobs to turn back then: Peak, Hold and Back Pressure. If an injection molding machine that was thirty years old can make good parts then just think what new technology could do today. So I stuck things out and continued learning and growing in the plastics industry. That was 20 years ago and look at the industry now! If you or someone you know is undecided on a career path consider the plastics industry. It is a great return on investment and actually your investment is very minimal but can be very rewarding for many years to come.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Tom Hanvey" }, "datePublished" : "September 28, 2012", "headline" : "A Career in the Plastics Industry Can Be Rewarding", "image" : "https://468726.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/468726/AKAC%20Press%20Release%20Header-Mar-24-2022-01-09-23-47-AM.jpg", "name" : "A Career in the Plastics Industry Can Be Rewarding", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/a-career-in-the-plastics-industry-can-be-rewarding" } ```