The first time Luke Orzechowski learned about a career in plastics was during a tour of the Pennsylvania College of Technology's campus.
"The idea of working with materials that could range from action figures to heart valves fascinated me. The program's high job placement rate further convinced me that this was the right field for me. Each year in the industry has reinforced my belief that choosing a career in plastics was a great decision," he said.
During his internship as a technical assistant at Polyvel Inc., Orzechowski ran quality tests, prepared compounds and batches, produced pellets and gained hands-on experience with daily quality control documentation to ensure the products met the company's high standards.
"I also played a role in updating and reorganizing the preventive maintenance plan, highlighting the importance of maintenance in product consistency. Working alongside another intern, I conducted various quality control tests, including thermogravimetric analysis, extractions, moisture tests, contact angle tests, melt index tests, ash tests, hot water fog tests, flame tests and blocking tests," said Orzechowski, who graduated with a degree in plastic and polymer engineering.
Orzechowski also was as a polymer engineer at Ethicon Inc., where he contributed to a patent: "I had the opportunity to work with top-tier talent and cutting-edge technology to develop a novel process for enhancing the yield of a bioabsorbable polymer produced in-house. Using a twin-screw extruder system, we were able to recover material that would have otherwise been discarded and remove volatiles, which significantly reduced the need for downstream processing. This innovation not only improved material efficiency but also streamlined our production process, making a lasting impact on our operations."
Orzechowski recently joined Cordis Inc., a developer and manufacturer of minimally invasive cardiovascular products, as a senior process engineer and is still familiarizing himself with the established systems and processes while also integrating new ideas.
He continues to advance his own knowledge with continuing education, such as earning a plastics engineering fundamentals certification from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and shares his knowledge with others through mentoring and raising awareness about careers in plastics and manufacturing.
"In the future, I aspire to become an engineering manager, ideally within the research and development sector of the medical device or pharmaceutical field. My goal is to lead and inspire a team of engineers, providing them with the same supportive and growth-oriented environment that has been instrumental to my own success," he said.
"I am passionate about fostering an innovative and collaborative atmosphere where new engineers can thrive, learn and contribute to cutting-edge advancements," Orzechowski added. "By creating a positive and nurturing environment, I hope to help others reach their full potential and drive meaningful progress in these critical fields."