As part of a weeklong event schedule, the paper science department hosted a job fair on the heels of last week’s engineering fair.
Mechanical and chemical engineering students were also invited to the fair that hosted 14 companies — up from five last year. Only in its second year, students sought jobs from prominent companies such as International Paper, the largest paper provider in the world.
Chemical and mechanical engineering go hand-in-hand with paper production, according to Pat Hill, paper science student services assistant.
“It takes many inputs and mechanical processes to create paper products,” Hill said.
Graduates in the paper science department, although only about 30 per academic year, have enjoyed 100 percent job placement, according to Hill. 140 students total study paper science.
Jeff Reese, an engineering fellow, was on-hand to represent International Paper.
“We offer manufacturing experience and good training opportunities. We have a broad range of fields for students to go into, and they get to work with people their own age,” Reese said.
Students who take a job with International Paper can look forward to working with a tight-nit community with members committed to their jobs, according to Reese.
“[The pulp paper] school here is like a small community in a huge college,” Reese said. “Our Reach program is like having a small community in a great-big company.”
The company is in the process of hiring 75 people, and has been interviewing candidates in paper science throughout the week, according to Reese.
“We are wrapping up our recruiting season this year,” Reese said.
Temple-Inland, another large-scale paper company, had a booth set up directly across from Reese’s. International Paper acquired Temple-Inland for $4.3 billion in September, according to Forbes. Reese said the deal is certain to go through, and “federal paperwork” is all that stands in front of International Paper expanding its reach.
Ashley Massey, a junior in paper science and chemical engineering, said she is confident she will get a job upon graduation.
“I don’t have a job yet. Actually, I was just talking to a representative who said I might have a job offer. I haven’t heard anything official yet, so I am out here looking for a position,” Massey said.
The timing of the engineering and paper science fairs helps students determine where they stand in the workforce, according to Massey.
“With the engineering fair last week, [the paper science fair] is a great way for us to find opportunities,” Massey said.
Massey had her eye on International Paper.
“I am really interested in International Paper. They do a wide range of products. I feel like most of their products are things that you touch everyday. I was looking at the cups that the school uses today, and I.P. makes them,” Massey said.
A panel — new this year — will discuss women’s roles in the paper science engineering field Thursday, according to Massey.
Taylor Resparc, a senior in chemical engineering and paper science, was also seeking employment at the fair.
“I’m here tonight hoping to get an interview with one of these companies,” Resparc said.
Resparc said he would take a job from whoever would give him one.
“I’m an opportunist. Wherever I can get a job, I will take a job. Paper science helps us out a lot. They help set up interviews and help us get up-close and personal with companies,” Resparc said.
Other events this week, as part of the Pulp and Paper Foundation Week, include a banquet Thursday and golf Friday, according to Hill.
The foundation offers students in the field scholarships, and events throughout the week allows the foundation to see the students it supports, Massey said.
