Chemical plants produce and process chemicals that are used to make almost everything around you - the tires on your car, the CDs you listen to and the computer you use to surf the Internet. And process operators help make it all happen. Think about what you do to keep your car running. You change the oil, check the air in the tires and keep water in the radiator. You continually check the major components of your car to keep it in good shape. A process operator does basically the same thing - they control and monitor the systems that run chemical plants. Process operators gather information using instrumentation and lab equipment to maintain safe work areas and keep plants in compliance with regulatory requirements. Operators work both indoors and outdoors along side chemical engineers, chemists and other professionals. They use knowledge of computers, math, physics and chemistry to keep their plants running safely and efficiently. Process operators need strong communications skills - the abilities to write, express views orally and listen - in order to succeed at their jobs. There are things you want now - the hot car, the cool crib and all the stuff you want to fill it with. An average starting salary of almost $35,000 as a process operator can help you get the things you want now and the life you'll want later. A career as a process operator can help you send your children to the schools you want, take your family on vacations and provide them with the standard of living you want them to have. PTEC (Process Technology) is the standardized curriculum for a two-year associate of applied science degree that prepares people to work as process technology operators in the Louisiana chemical industry. The PTEC degree program is currently offered at seven Louisiana Colleges.