Contact: Chris Barry, cbarry@4spe.org, 203.740.5414

SPE Student Membership Provides Career Growth Opportunities

DANBURY, CT—February 19, 2020: For more than 5 years, SPE, with the financial support of the PLASTICS Industry Association, has provided free memberships to undergraduate and graduate students who are in plastics-related fields of study. Although the participation of PLASTICS has ended, SPE has not only maintained its free Student Membership option, the Society has extended this membership offering to young professionals during their first two years of working in the industry.

“While we are disappointed that the partnership with PLASTICS did not continue, SPE recognizes that students and young professionals are the future of the industry,” said Patrick Farrey, SPE’s CEO. “As an organization committed to plastics education, SPE’s support of students and their career development as plastics professionals is vital for overall industry growth and innovation.”

With a membership base of 22,500+ plastics professionals representing over 84 countries, SPE provides multiple opportunities for students to cultivate their network and connections on a global level. Through membership in SPE, students and young professionals can develop their skills via educational offerings, professional recognition and opportunities to present their work to plastics professionals at SPE conferences including ANTEC®, the largest, most respected and well-known annual technical conference in the plastics industry.

Additional professional development resources SPE provides to Student Members include:

• Free technical and soft skill webinars
• Free access to the SPE Online Technical Library & Technical Journal databases
• A subscription to Plastics Engineering magazine
• Access to SPE’s Online Member Directory

“Student Membership in SPE certainly helps young people gain valuable industry knowledge during this important early phase of their careers,” said Farrey. “And while the networking aspect of belonging to an organization like SPE is equally as important, access to exclusive content and opportunities to develop career ‘soft skills’ through our webinar series allows students and young professionals to proactively define and design their own career paths. Our goal at SPE is to ensure students and young professionals are on an upward career growth trajectory – growth that will be a positive force in the plastics industry.”

For more information about SPE Student Memberships and other membership opportunities, visit www.4spe.org/join.

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SPE-Inspiring Plastics Professionals is 84 countries and 22,500+ members strong, SPE unites plastics professionals worldwide–helping them succeed and strengthening their skills through networking, events, training, and knowledge sharing. No matter where you work in the plastics industry value chain-whether you’re a scientist, engineer, technical personnel or a senior executive-nor what your background is, education, gender, culture or age-SPE is here to serve you. Web: www.4spe.org Phone: 203-775-0471