Building a Career in Plastics Technology

How did you get into plastics and rubber technology and what fascinated you about the profession?Max: Actually, I got into it by chance. Originally, I wanted to pursue a dual degree in mechanical engineering because I’ve always been interested in technical subjects. At the time, mechanical engineering seemed like the most obvious choice. However, when I applied at Pöppelmann, the position for that program was already taken. Instead, I was offered a dual degree in plastics technology combined with an apprenticeship as a process mechanic for plastics and rubber technology.

What particularly interested you in this field?
Max: To be honest, I had never heard of plastics and rubber technology before. But since I’m also interested in chemistry, I found the combination really interesting. In the end, it turned out to be a great fit for me.

You're in a dual study program and are currently writing your bachelor's thesis in Osnabrück. What are the benefits of combining work and school?
Max: For me, the combination is especially valuable. I am able to see many of the things I learn in my studies in action at work. That helps me to understand the concepts better and see how it can be used in my future work. I also find it interesting that it works the other way around as well: my experience at work helps me to better understand and put the theory from my studies into context.

What is a typical workday like?
Max: Right now, I’m finishing my bachelor’s thesis and preparing the presentation. During my apprenticeship, a typical workday involved setting up machines for new production orders, adjusting the process parameters and starting up the machines. If there were malfunctions or quality issues, I had to find the cause and fix the issue. This made my work very varied, because I was constantly dealing with different technical tasks and challenges.

You're among the top ten in your graduating class in all of Germany and you were also honored as Germany's best process mechanic. What do you think made the difference?
Max: What probably helped me the most was that I was genuinely interested in the topics, which made me want to keep learning. I also had very supportive coworkers during my apprenticeship who shared their knowledge and taught me a lot. Of course, ambition and discipline played a role as well and in the end, there is probably always a little bit of luck involved, too.

What fascinates you about plastic as a material and the technology behind it?
Max: What I find most interesting about plastics are the many different applications: from simple everyday products to high-performance components. I’m particularly fascinated by the relationship between a plastic’s structure and its properties. It shows how the material’s behavior can be explained by its molecular structure. I also find the different factors involved in the manufacturing process interesting. Injection molding in particular, it’s fascinating to see how different process parameters can affect the material and the quality of the finished component.

Where do you want to head career-wise and what advice would you give to young people who are thinking about entering the industry?
Max: For my future, I mainly hope to keep working on topics that I enjoy. To young people considering an apprenticeship in plastics technology, I would say: keep an open mind and take a closer look at the field. I had never considered this career path before I applied and it was only afterward that I realized how diverse and interesting plastics technology really is.

Source: Interview with Max Baumtrog; photo provided by Max Baumtrog