Beyond the Box: Discovering Packaging Science and Landing Co-ops with Kraft Heinz and Mattel

How did you find Packaging Science? What intrigued you about it? What was your journey like from end of high school to joining RIT?
In high school, I knew that I wanted to do engineering, but I had no idea what major I wanted to go into. I came to RIT because of the CET Exploration program. I loved that CET focused on hands-on learning and the Exploration program was a great way to find out what major I wanted to go into. Through Exploration, I found Packaging, a field that I had never considered before. As soon as I took a tour of the labs, I was hooked. Packaging was everything I wanted, a mix of creativity and engineering with so many options of fields to enter!

How did you find your Packaging co-ops?
I found both of my co-ops, Kraft Heinz and Mattel, at the Packaging Career fair. Being able to work with brands that I grew up with and that are so well known felt like a dream. 

Can you describe your experience so far in the Packaging Science program?
I have found a home here in Packaging. Since we are small, we are a tight-knit community. You never feel like just another number in a class, you get to know your professors and fellow students incredibly well. I have met some of my best friends in the program. I also love how project-based this program is. Nearly every class has an associated lab or project with it, which has given me real experience to turn to and has been very beneficial to me on co-op. Packaging also gives students amazing opportunities for research, competitions, and networking events. I have competed in multiple national competitions, helped organize Pack Jam, traveled to PackEXPO in Las Vegas, and was awarded an all expenses paid trip to Italy for the Italian Technology Awards. 

Can you tell me more about your day-to-day experience on co-op?
At Kraft Heinz, I worked on Oscar Mayer products. I traveled to manufacturing sites to run trials, even leading one myself, and brought the product back to be tested. This co-op was very testing focused and nearly every test I did, I had experience in from RIT. At Mattel, I worked on the Disney Small Dolls Team. This co-op was more focused on structural design, using ArtiosCAD and SolidWorks, both of which I learned at RIT. 

What makes CET and Packaging Science BS program stand out from other colleges and programs?
CET is a smaller community here at RIT making it much easier to find your place. You also gain real-world experience through hands-on learning that helps you stand out in the job market. Instead of only knowing the theory, in CET you can point to practical skills that you have used before. 

Why Packaging Science? What advice would you give to a high school student considering the program?
Packaging is a major that is applicable to every field imaginable. Every single product will have to be packaged or transported in some way, at some time. If there is a particular field you want to go into, you can through packaging. If you want to be more creative or would rather focus on testing, you can. Packaging gives you the flexibility to pursue whatever you enjoy.