Guest Post: On Self-Renewal
How postgraduate education sharpened focus on a career in the advanced polymer composites industry.
Nearly five decades ago, the phrase "The future is plastics" echoed in the film "The Graduate," offering a glimpse into the trajectory of our society. During my Chemistry studies at Texas A&M University, my family and I playfully referenced this quote. Yet, its profound truth became evident as I explored career prospects, witnessing the increasing substitution of metals with plastics. Little did I anticipate the extensive reach of the polymer industry, but upon graduating, I happily immersed myself in the advanced polymer composites field.
Recent market analyses reveal that the advanced polymer composites industry achieved $18.8 billion (USD) in 2022, with a promising projection of a robust 6.2% compound annual growth rate, aiming to reach a market value of $27.0 billion (USD) by 2028. While these figures indeed speak to the overall growth of the advanced polymer composites industry, my enduring commitment to this field is deeply rooted in the vibrant community it fosters.
My initial five years at Kaneka Americas Holdings and Kaneka Aerospace marked a pivotal and enriching chapter in my professional journey. My experience at Kaneka was diverse, encompassing activities ranging from the synthesis of high-performance polyimide matrices to the formulation of liquid/liquid amine-cured epoxide matrices. Guided by insightful mentors deeply embedded in the industry, I actively engaged in organizations such as the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) and the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX).
As time unfolded, I began to discern the limitations of a bachelor's degree and the prerequisites for achieving career growth in a technical role. Fortunately, serendipity intervened through my encounter with Dr. Jeff Wiggins and the Polymer Science & Engineering program at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), unveiling a new and promising opportunity.
Embracing change in 2019, I embarked on a transformative journey, pursuing a Ph.D. at USM. The program's unique structure, involving shared graduate courses in the first year, fostered organic collaborations among research groups. Joining the Wiggins Research Group (WRG) after the initial year, I discovered a clear pathway aligning with my aspirations in the advanced polymer composites industry. Furthermore, I was able to deepen my knowledge of high-performance polyimide matrices and expand my knowledge base to next-generation carbon matrix composites. The best part about joining WRG was having the ability to attend CAMX and SAMPE, where I seamlessly reintegrated myself back into the advanced polymer composites community as a graduate student.
Today, having defended my dissertation, I reflect on an eight-year career journey dominated by a recurring theme—community. Thus, it feels fitting to return to the very community that embraced me years ago. Joining Renegade Materials Corporation, deeply embedded in the advanced polymer composites community, I am poised to contribute to new product development in my role as an R&D Materials Development Engineer. This marks the commencement of what I anticipate will be a fulfilling and enduring career within the advanced polymer composites industry.