Jason Travitz
Meet Jason Travitz, Senior Injection Molding Instructor at the AIM Institute, recently sat down to share more about his life outside of work.
How were you inspired to get into the injection molding industry? My interest in plastics engineering really took off when I enrolled in the Plastics Engineering Technology (PLET) program at Penn State Behrend. What set it apart for me was how hands-on the program was—it wasn’t just sitting in a lecture hall learning theory all day. We were in the labs, working directly with the equipment, materials, and processes that are used in the field. That kind of real-world experience was not only engaging, but also gave me a much better understanding of how everything actually works. On top of that, the job placement rates coming out of the program were excellent, which gave me a lot of confidence that I was heading into a strong and stable industry with lots of opportunity for growth and innovation.

What are some of your favorite hobbies? I really enjoy spending time outdoors and being active, especially when it comes to anything that gives me a bit of an adrenaline rush or a connection to nature. Hunting, fishing, scuba diving and skiing are some of my favorite pastimes.

Is there something you’ve always wanted to learn or try? Yes—I’ve always been fascinated by aviation and would love to learn how to fly a plane. There’s something about the freedom of being in the sky, charting your own course, and seeing the world from a completely different perspective that really appeals to me. It would be a challenging skill to master, but I think it would be incredibly rewarding. It’s one of those things that’s been on my bucket list for a while, and hopefully someday I’ll get the chance to pursue it more seriously.
Favorite place you have traveled to? That’s a tough one because I’ve been fortunate to travel to some really beautiful places, but two spots stand out. Park City, Utah in the winter is absolutely incredible—there’s world-class skiing, a great town atmosphere, and just stunning natural scenery everywhere you look. On the flip side, Maui in the summer offers a completely different but equally amazing experience. From the beaches and snorkeling to the hiking and the laid-back vibe, it’s just a perfect place to relax and recharge.

