NCCC Success Story

Hometown
Santa Ana, California

Degree programs
A.A.S., computer aided drafting technology B.S., packaging science

Year of graduation
2013

Place of employment
American Honda Motor Co. Inc., Troy, Ohio

Job Title
Packaging Engineer II

Work Responsibilities
I am part of a packaging operations group that is charged with improving quality, cost, delivery and environmental performance of the packaging for all automotive, motorcycle, power equipment and marine product service parts. My principal responsibilities are to review, develop, approve and manage packaging specifications for all service parts from assigned parts suppliers, and to negotiate and approve packaging related costs with material and part suppliers.

How my career relates to my degree from RIT/NTID
My current job requires a B.S. in packaging, or industrial or mechanical engineering, and packaging development experience, which I had on my co-op before graduating from RIT. The co-op job required working knowledge of package validation testing and supply chain management, which I learned in my courses at RIT. My time at RIT also prepared me with the project management and presentation skills essential to my job. I always wanted to be an engineer, and at RIT/NTID I received guidance about what careers in engineering I might consider. I had encouragement from professors who saw my strengths and skills in that area. I did my research and found that packaging science contained some things I was interested in—improving things, doing design, developing ideas and being creative. I also found out that packaging science really has unlimited possibilities and locations in which to work. It seems every company will need a packaging major to create protective packaging for parts that are being shipped everywhere in the world. My position has many critical competencies such as technical skills, communication, organizing, and planning, creativity, innovation, teamwork and more, and it was important to my company that I brought these with me from RIT. I also learned that it’s important to have a passion for what you do and to let that passion show.

Advice
I always remember my favorite quote, “Failure is impossible,” by Susan B. Anthony. It always makes me think I can do anything I like and achieve my goal. But the quote I really want people to remember is one that inspires me, by Maya Angelou. It is advice I think of often. “You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.”