More Helpful Links

Terra's Success Stories

Mike Haubert - 1991 Color Matching Graduate

Attitude and a two-year associate’s degree can take you far.  That’s what Mike Haubert, a 1991 Terra graduate, believes because that’s just what has positioned him as the Vice President of Sales for Polymer Color Services in Greenville, S.C.

“I was a member of the first graduating class of color technicians,” he said. “I’ve had an enjoyable career that has involved travel around the country and practical learning experiences every day. Terra opened my eyes to an unknown field and gave me a base of knowledge that enabled me to learn my job faster.”

Rewind to 1989. Haubert had been accepted to the Ohio State University, the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University, but for lack of financial support he could not pursue those options right out of high school.

“I was informed that there was a scholarship to go into the Plastics and Color Program, and I decided to give this option a try,” he recalled. “I received the scholarship and found that plastics was a very interesting course. I also saw the potential that this industry offered.”

Two months before he graduated, Haubert was offered a lab job.

“This job began my career that would take me to South Carolina, Kansas City, Cleveland, Phoenix, Los Angeles and many other cities for shorter stays,” he said. “I was able to learn from each facility I was transferred to. I also had the opportunity to work with plastics processors and suppliers from around the country and the world.”

Haubert says with his Plastics and Coloring of Plastics degrees, it has been relatively easy to advance.

“I’ve been willing to move and travel and that has opened up many options for me,” he said.

And it has only gotten better.

“Six years ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to start my own color business,” he said.  “I do not know of many industries where an associate’s degree and a good attitude can offer so many options.”

His current duties include overseeing the entire sales function of the company, which includes color matching, four different rep groups that cover most of the area east of the Mississippi River, technical service and customer/vendor relations.”

Haubert says starting pay for color technicians is $19,000 to $30,000, but attitude and aptitude are what moves the scale.

“I am proud to recommend this field to any student who wants to work in a fast-growing and constantly challenging industry,” he said. “Twelve years ago, I would not have predicted where the simple decision to try out Terra’s programs would have taken me. I’m thankful for where they have.”