Working in the World of Cement
Are you interested in working for the Lehigh Cement Company or HeidelbergCement AG?
- Visit the Lehighcement.com Careers section to learn more about working at the Lehigh Cement Company.
- Visit the HeidelbergCement.com Human Resources section to learn more about working for our parent company, headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany.
Working in the World of Cement
*The following information is reprinted with permission from the Portland Cement Association Careers website at www.cementcareers.org.
CEMENT CAREERS: Opportunities and Candidate Profile Portland cement manufacturing incorporates many disciplines, from engineering to chemistry to geology to computer science. Students with a specific interest in "materials" will find the industry both challenging and unique. Since most activities are performed in the manufacturing plant and not behind a desk, candidates will apply problem-solving skills in a "hands-on" environment. Candidates can expect to use the technical knowledge learned at the university and work as a team member to solve issues relating to various complex operations. Candidates working for the cement industry would gain knowledge of a range of issues including process equipment, system controls, quality control, energy conservation, health and safety, and environmental management.
Typical educational majors and candidate interests and aptitudes for successful careers in the portland cement industry are outlined below.
Sample Educational Backgrounds and Various Related Interests:
- Engineering including Ceramic, Chemical, Electrical, Environmental, Materials, Mechanical, Metallurgical, Geological, Mining or their equivalent
- Chemistry including Analytical, Inorganic and Organic
- Industrial Hygiene
- Candidate Interests and Aptitudes:
- Specific interest in "materials"
- Can apply problem solving skills in a hands-on environment
- Motivated, self starter
- Interested in experiencing "how things work"
- Ability to work with a multifunctional team to formulate solutions
- Enjoys working with and around large equipment
CEMENT CAREERS: Representative Co-op Projects
Engineering Students- It takes a team of specialists to maintain the huge range of heavy equipment, maximize process operations, maintain quality, and assure compliance with applicable environmental, health and safety regulations in a cement manufacturing facility.
Representative co-op projects for engineering students are outlined below.
- Ceramic/Materials/Metallurgical Engineers - Co-op students may be involved with quality control, materials handling, material usage and reducing material variability.
- Chemical/Environmental - Co-op students may assist in process evaluation, fuels evaluation, process control, air emission studies, materials management, environmental sampling, environmental reporting, waste management and permits.
- Electrical - Co-op students may work on projects involving electrical transmissions, sensors, motors, electrostatic precipitators, fan systems, system controls, and conservation of energy.
- Mechanical - Co-op students may work on projects involving materials handling, process vessels, and grinding equipment.
- Industrial/Manufacturing - Co-op students may be involved with logistics, planning, plant construction and existing systems analysis.
- Geologists and Mining Engineers - The raw material for cement consists of rock (limestone, shale, etc.) and therefore, most portland cement plants are built near quarries that supply the bulk of the materials needed. Interns may be involved with quarry sampling and material usage.
- Chemists - To maintain quality at all stages of cement manufacture, precise sampling and testing must be conducted. This includes sampling of cement materials as well as fuels. Co-op students may be involved in the sampling, testing and analysis required to maintain the extensive quality system. Other projects may include reducing material variability.
- Industrial Hygiene - The portland cement industry must comply with various local, state and federal regulations. Co-op students will assist in conducting required monitoring, testing and reporting to maintain compliance.
CEMENT CAREERS: Career Paths
The portland cement industry provides diverse and challenging career opportunities for those candidates with the right qualifications. The industry companies offer extensive training, while exposing candidates to all disciplines of the industry. The portland cement industry provides for continuous growth and exposure to facilities around the world.
The following are sample comments compiled from PCA interviews with industry professionals regarding their careers.
About the job:
- Real-life applications of college studies
- At the plant and exposed to the process
- Interact with office personnel and production
- Unknown aspects that provide a challenge
- The latest technology, instrumentation and automation
- Can run a project from beginning to end for sites all around the world. The North American market is controlled and managed by global players. Most clients are not American. Business and cultural issues are very interesting. A degree with a second language is very desirable.
- For individuals that like a challenge and are willing to take initiative, the cement industry is wide open.
- You do not have to wait long to make an impact on the industry. Unique business in that cement industry is a relatively small industry compared to other industries. As a young person, if you are good and willing to take on challenges, you will be recognized.
Encouragement for students interested in industry:
- The industry is very challenging and getting more so every day with the introduction of new test and sample methods.
- All you have to do is roll up your sleeves and get to work. There is always something to do.
- Historically the industry was more an art, using microscopes and different instruments. Now there is more science, thermodynamics, process engineering, flow dynamics, hydration properties, and reactions.
