Grads or soon-to-be grads from top packaging schools tell us what they anticipate in their professional lives.
Anna Shealy
ANNA SHEALY
Clemson University, Class of 2008Project Coordinator for Sustainable Packaging, The Coca-Cola Co.
Why did you choose a career in packaging?
During high school, one of my teachers spoke often of her son who had graduated from Clemson University in Packaging Science and was working for a wine company in California. She told me all about packaging and the opportunities that were available. This influenced me apply to Clemson University in Packaging Science.
How has your education prepared you for a packaging career?
Through the Packaging Science department at Clemson University, I was able to travel to industry and student conferences all around the U.S. I completed three internships, one of which was located in England for six months. Because of these experiences and the hands-on approach used at Clemson, I was more prepared for my packaging career.
What do you want to do in your daily job?
At Clemson I was allowed to pursue my interest in sustainable packaging issues by attending sustainable packaging conferences and completing independent studies on this specific topic. I was fortunate enough to get placed in an internship in the Sustainable Packaging department of The Coca-Cola Co. where I still work today. This position has helped solidify the fact that sustainable and environmental packaging issues are my passion. I am fortunate to work for such a large, well-respected company that values improvements to the environmental impact of our packaging and really realizes the potential, as a company, to create positive change around the world.
What challenges do you expect to encounter?
The sustainable and environmental packaging area offers many challenges in balancing environmental sustainability and progress with cost-effective solutions and creating consumer preference.
What do you think you’ll be doing 10 years from now?
In the next 10 years I hope to still be working in the sustainable/environmental packaging area because of the many opportunities to push big ideas with cutting edge technology and the ability to make a real difference in the world which we live.
Emma Konkel
EMMA KONKEL
Clemson University, Class of 2009Recruited by Procter & Gamble
Why did you choose a career in packaging?
I chose a career in packaging because this field has a technical basis while still allowing for creativity. I originally wanted to pursue graphic design, but the scientific aspect of packaging caught my eye.
How has your education prepared you for a packaging career?
At Clemson, my professors have taught me the fundamentals of packaging for food, electronics and other consumer products. Clemson offers many hands-on labs that have allowed me to learn about the machines by operating them. Group projects are also a big part of learning in our department; these projects have prepared me to work in a team, whether as a leader or as a contributing member. My internship experiences at CL&D Graphics in Oconomowoc, Wis., and at Clorox in Pleasanton, Calif., have been the most rewarding and I have learned so much from the people who I’ve worked with.
What challenges do you expect to encounter?
In the future, I would like to work in research and development with consumer products. I enjoy contacting suppliers and working in cross-functional teams to develop new packaging or to solve problems with existing packaging. I expect that there will be new technology in the future in the areas of biodegradability, RFID [radio frequency identification] and overall consumer convenience. These technologies constantly change with consumer needs and wants, so I will need to constantly update my knowledge in these areas.
What do you think you’ll be doing 10 years from now?
Ten years from now, I hope to be working in Research and Development as a group manager. I have strong interpersonal skills and enjoy leading people to success.
Karissa Brummond
KARISSA BRUMMOND
University of Wisconsin-Stout, Class of 2009Hired by Johnsonville Sausage
Why did you choose a career in packaging?
I began my professional study at the University of Wisconsin-Stout as a Retail Merchandise Management major. Between my freshman and sophomore year of college, I was looking to obtain a summer position in the retail field. Unable to find one, I applied and was hired at a corrugate manufacturer. As summer help, I worked on the folder/gluers and die cut machines. I was so intrigued how a rectangular piece of corrugate could go into a machine, come out cut, and be able to fold into a display. With my fascination of corrugate growing over the summer, I spoke with the Packaging Program Director at UW-Stout, along with a few packaging students, and switched all my classes to be enrolled in the packaging program that fall.
How has your education prepared you for a packaging career?
My education has given me the basic knowledge of materials, processes and project management skills that I need to be successful in the packaging industry. It has also lead to the completion of three internships with well-known companies in consumer packaging, food packaging and packaging manufacturing.
What do you want to do in your daily job?
I want to be part of a team that designs packages that have shelf appeal and help sell the product.
What challenges do you expect to encounter?
The biggest challenge I expect to encounter is environmental sustainability. As the green initiative is on the rise, packaging engineers are going to be faced with the challenge of reducing the amount of materials used. Finding eco-friendly materials and developing the design process are tests that I am looking forward to solving.
What do you think you’ll be doing 10 years from now?
I see myself in 10 years being a lead packaging engineer in either the food industry or the consumer product industry.
Corey Nugent
COREY NUGENT
University of Wisconsin-Stout, Class of 2010Why did you choose a career in packaging?
I first became interested in a career in packaging after visiting UW-Stout on an Engineering preview day. I was fascinated by the diversity of different career options, and how you become integrated into every part of the company.
How has your education prepared you for a packaging career?
My education has done an excellent job of preparing me for a career in packaging. The teachers share personal experiences from industry, and bring in guest speakers from industry whenever possible. We have received actual products from companies to work on for semester projects, to create new packaging or to solve a quality problem they have. I have also received several opportunities to tour different facilities, and listen to companies talk about new trends and problems they are facing at our local IoPP [Institute of Packaging Professionals] meetings.
What do you want to do in your daily job?
When it comes to my own career, I would like to be involved directly with testing and troubleshooting. I am always looking for a new challenge and problems to solve.
What challenges do you expect to encounter?
One of the biggest challenges I see myself facing every day is how to save money by reducing or changing material. With the recent popularity of sustainability, this has increased the pressure to create a cheaper and more efficient package.
What do you think you’ll be doing 10 years from now?
In 10 years, I want to be able to enjoy coming to work every day, and be able to continue to work directly with products and make a difference for my employer. I also want to stay involved with IoPP, and be given the chance to be able to work with the different packaging schools.
Jim Clark
JIM CLARK
Michigan State University, School of Packaging, Class of 2009Why did you choose a career in packaging?
I chose a career in packaging because it blends three of my greatest passions-design, business and interacting with a large variety of people. A career in packaging provides plenty of challenges and the satisfaction that goes along with solving each one.
How has your education prepared you for a packaging career?
The education I am in the process of receiving from Michigan State University is world class. I am given the opportunity to learn from some of the most knowledgeable minds in the industry and gain experience using the same machinery that can be found in some of the finest packaging labs around the world. The faculty constantly pushes students to enter industry-sponsored competitions and become involved with research.
What do you want to do in your daily job?
In my daily job I hope to work with a variety of suppliers and cross-functional team members to solve any challenge that arises in an innovative manner.
What challenges do you expect to encounter?
Plenty of challenges will present themselves throughout the course of my career. Due to the current economic state, consumers are challenging all companies to provide quality products at affordable prices. This requires packaging engineers to be more efficient than ever. We must be able to give the consumer a quality package that provides convenience and a positive experience with every use while minimizing costs.
What do you think you’ll be doing 10 years from now?
Ten years from now I see myself as a senior level engineer for a world-renowned company in either the food/beverage or consumer products industry. I would like to earn the chance to either manage a brand or design the primary packaging for a line of products.
Bryanna LaVallee
BRYANNA LaVALLEE
University of Wisconsin-Stout, Class of 2009Recruited by Boston Scientific
Why did you choose a career in packaging?
I chose a career in packaging because of the variety of industries in which a packaging engineer can have a successful career. I’ve always been interested in both the food and medical industries, and packaging gave me the option to work in either. When deciding on a career, I was amazed to learn how consumers interact with and rely on packages without realizing it on a daily basis. I’ve been in love with packaging since the day I decided to pursue a packaging career.
How has your education prepared you for a packaging career?
My education at the University of Wisconsin-Stout has prepared me with the hands-on skills needed to be a successful packaging engineer. The instructors not only teach us with textbooks and lab activities, but they also have students work with companies on real-life problems. Completing an internship before graduation is also required; this was an invaluable experience that significantly prepared me for a career in packaging.
What do you want to do in your daily job?
I plan on working for a company to develop packaging that keeps products safe from damage or contamination so the consumer can safely use the products. I want to develop quality packages that a consumer can trust with each use.
What challenges do you expect to encounter?
As companies continue to develop new products, a new level of packaging is required. This will result in the challenge of finding new package structures that meet the ever-changing demands of new products. An ongoing challenge in packaging will be to keep up with the latest trends and developments so the packages I design will always be cutting edge.
What do you think you’ll be doing 10 years from now?
In 10 years, I plan to be continuing my packaging career at a company in the Minneapolis area. Ideally, I will be on the managerial path, by having a few packaging technicians or engineers reporting to me.
Erika Erlandson
ERIKA ERLANDSON
University of Wisconsin-Stout, Class of 2009Why did you choose a career in packaging?
I became interested in packaging when I joined DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) in high school. Being involved with marketing classes, I started to understand how a package influences a consumer. Hands-on projects, art and math have always been my strengths, and packaging is an amazing field that puts it all together for me.
How has your education prepared you for a packaging career?
My education at the University of Wisconsin-Stout has touched base on all aspects of being a packaging engineer. While I have been here, I have learned about project development, package testing, research and design, printing processes and graphic designing. I joined and became a board member of IoPP, which has been an excellent networking source. Along with my classes, I recently just came back from a seven-month internship in Denver where I got to put my packaging knowledge to use.
What do you want to do in your daily job?
I want to be faced with challenges so I can solve packaging problems in a new, innovative way. I want to be a reliable employee that contributes to the company’s success.
What challenges do you expect to encounter?
Challenges I look forward to coming across include creating tamper-proof packages, eco-friendly materials and control of counterfeiting.
What do you think you’ll be doing 10 years from now?
In 10 years, I see myself established in a thriving company working in consumer packaging, married and possibly with my first kid!
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
It seems like yesterday, but it was 10 years ago that seven students, recently graduated from packaging universities, participated in our 40th Anniversary article about tomorrow’s leaders. Here’s where they are today with their career aspirations.EDWARD CANDELARIA
Rutgers University, Class of 1999
Then:“In 10 years, I expect to be a Vice President and direct all activities in my business area. To that end, I will pursue an MBA degree.”
Now:???
MATT DAUM
Michigan State University, Class of 1992, 1994, 1999
Then:“Ten years from now is a long time! I expect I’ll either be working in a large electronics company, or teaching at a university. Either way, packaging has given me a great start and great experiences already.”
Now:Engineering Program Manager, Hewlett-Packard Co.; Adjunct Associate Professor, Clemson University
MARIE PENNEY GLADEN
Clemson University, Class of 1998
Then:“In 10 years, I see myself in a management role where I am in a position to guide new packaging engineers as they begin their careers. I consider packaging to be among the most challenging and important careers in industry, and I’m excited to be part of the packaging community.”
Now:Packaging Engineer, Beauty Avenues (Bath & Body Works), Limited Brands
JASON PIVOVITSCH
Pratt Institute, Class of 1998
Then:“As I think most designers would say, I would hope that I would have my own design studio that serves new and innovative clients in all aspects of communication-especially packaging. However, I’m certainly aware of the long road ahead that is hopefully filled with many design challenges.”
Now:Founder, New Day Interactive
LEONARD REBO
Rutgers University, Class of 1998
Then:“It’s difficult to predict what will happen in the future. However, 10 years from now, I would wish to be in a position that will not only allow me to put to work all the experience I will have acquired, but also one that will enable me to continue to learn-and help others in joining this very dynamic world of packaging.”
Now:Manager of Package Development, Victoria’s Secret Beauty, Limited Brands
SUNNY RHA
Rutgers University, Class of 1998
Then:“The next 10 years will be the most crucial part of my life in career development. I will be creating and laying down paths for the future. I see myself working in marketing 10 years from now. I would like to eliminate non-value-added processes, maximize sales opportunities, differentiate our product from the competition and design winning market strategies. By then, I should have my masters in industrial engineering and completed an MBA in marketing. I’ll let you know 10 years from now.”
Now:Technical Leader at Ethicon, a J&J Co.
JANET PRESTON VEITH
Clemson University, Class of 1997
Then:“In 10 years, I see myself working in other areas of business, perhaps on the development and marketing of products or services.”
Now:Quality Manager, Printpack Inc.
