ICPF continuously works to feature the voices of industry employees and students pursuing a future in corrugated packaging. The #VoicesInCorrugated video series highlights individual pathways to the industry, the benefits of job stability, and the rewarding nature of various positions in the corrugated packaging industry. The testimonials provided below can serve as a helpful resource for job seekers and students as they consider a career in corrugated and prepare for job interviews, career fairs, internships, networking opportunities, and more.
Jenna, Machine Operator
“Coming in to this job, without even having a degree, starting at $23 an hour is pretty awesome. I have my own house, my own car, [this job] made me financially stable all by myself.”
Meet Jenna, an experienced Machine Operator who spoke to ICPF about her journey in the corrugated packaging industry. In her 6 years at The Royal Group plant in Cicero, IL, she has gained financial independence, forged strong relationships with her co-workers, and built a #CareerinCorrugated she’s proud of.
Connor, Quality & Safety Associate
“I went from knowing nothing about corrugated to where I am now in about three years, which is pretty cool.”
Connor began his career at Akers Packaging Service Group as a management trainee at a box plant in University Park, IL. In the three years since he began working at Akers, he has been promoted to a full-time quality and safety associate where he is involved in several stages of box production, working to meet customer needs and maintaining safety on the plant floor.
Carly, Customer Relations
“I would say if you don’t know anything about [the corrugated packaging industry] to not let that scare you, because I didn’t know a single thing about it and it ended up being really, really good for me.”
Carly is a member of Akers Packaging Service Group’s management trainee program. After working as a teacher, Carly changed careers and began her journey in corrugated packaging. Listen in to hear about Carly’s introduction to the industry, the range of skills she is learning as a management trainee, and how her colleagues make Akers a great place to learn and work.
Nick, Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager
“If you’re working on the plant floor or you’re in the office, you’re going to be exposed to a ton of different things, whether it’s seeing things become successful or seeing the product you produced or helped design on the store shelves.”
Have you ever heard of a career in continuous improvement? Nick is here to fill you in. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Packaging from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, he is now a Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager. Tune in to learn how Nick sees the impact of his career choice on a daily basis.
Xinh, Dunwoody College of TechnologyStudent
“What I’ve found is that the sky’s the limit. It’s amazing that now I know I can pivot into the box industry and there’s a ton of things I can do with my degree.”
ICPF sat down with first-year Dunwoody College of Technology student, Xinh Beardmore to learn more about her pathway into the packaging industry as a graphic design & production major, her decision to leave a career in finance after 10 years, and what she learned from attending AICC, The Independent Packaging Association’s 2023 Fall meeting.
Keenan, Quality Engineer
“Every good sized business needs a packaging department or a packaging engineer to help them with design, quality and producing boxes on their machines. There’s really not a consumer good that doesn’t have a box around it.”
ICPF spoke with Keenan from Green Bay Packaging about his pathway into the corrugated industry. He shares information on the impact of sustainability, job stability, and the ability to have ownership over his journey to becoming a Quality Engineer.
John, General Manager
“[Corrugated packaging] is such a huge industry that people overlook, but it has provided such a wonderful career and a great life for me and my family.”
As a military veteran, John Hamlin never saw himself entering the corrugated packaging industry after spending four years in the U.S. Army. But, his work ethic and a desire to learn was all he needed to begin building a career in corrugated. In 15 years, he has progressed from running a corrugator on the plant floor to his current leadership position as a general manager for Akers Packaging Service Group.
Ryan, Packaging Design
“You don’t need to be worried about exactly what degree you have, you just have to have the right mentality — being able to ask the right questions, being able to talk to anyone around the plant, and being confident in yourself.”
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Missouri, Ryan has moved through multiple rotations as part of the Akers management trainee program. Currently, he’s working in packaging design and has hopes to secure a sales position with Akers upon completion of the program.
Eric, General Laborer
“I know for a fact I’m going to want to take the next step to a new title. I’m always there for that new challenge.”
After high school, Eric secured a job at The Royal Group box plant in Cicero, IL working as a general laborer. Take a tour with ICPF to learn more about Eric’s role at the plant and the many benefits of working in the corrugated packaging industry.
