Annual packaging fair connects students, employers

HokiePack, the third annual Packaging Job Fair at Virginia Tech, was held Feb. 18, bringing together more than 100 packaging students and industry professionals. The fair was coordinated by the packaging students under the supervision of Young Kim, an associate professor in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials. This event provided students and employers with opportunities to connect through activities before, during, and after the career fair. 

Attending companies were Packaging Services Industries, Silgan Closures, Merck, Kraft Heinz, Syngenta, Millwood Inc., PepsiCo, New-Indy Containerboard, Newell Brands, Packaging Corporation of America, Tecnocap LLC, Pratt Industries, Graphic Packaging Internationals, UFP Packaging, Georgia-Pacific, Delfort USA Inc., and Spectrum Brands. This selection of companies spanned the industry, from specialization in packaging converters, consumer packaged goods, and pallet builders.

The evening before the career fair, a networking reception served as an icebreaker, allowing students to interact with employers in a more casual manner.

The career fair itself was held at the University Club in Lane Stadium. The event offered students the opportunity to engage with all the companies and potentially arrange interviews for the following day. 

Following the career fair, the Virginia Tech Packaging program hosted a final networking event and happy hour, providing a relaxed setting to thank employers and celebrate the event’s success. 

The packaging major is housed within the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials in the College of Natural Resources and Environment.

Silgan Closures, one of the fair’s most dedicated supporters, was recognized for its unwavering commitment to the university and students and acknowledged for the numerous students they have hired from the packaging program. 

"The Virginia Tech Packaging program has been continuously evolving, and the quality of students is amazing," said Jerry Book, a packaging engineer with Silgan. "We want to come back next year.” 

Over the last three years, Silgan has hired more than a dozen students for its co-op programs and full-time positions.

Erika Gustavson, a senior majoring in packaging systems and design and a committee member of HokiePack, said she has attended the packaging career fairs in the past and she is gaining a sense of comfort with the attendees. 

“It was phenomenal,” Gustavson said. “Having attended multiple career fairs over the past few years, this was the first time I truly felt comfortable interacting with employers. One of the most encouraging aspects was how supportive and welcoming the employers were when speaking with students. As a senior in the packaging program, I have had the privilege of witnessing its tremendous growth over the past four years. The success of this career fair and the overwhelming positive feedback from both students and employers have been incredibly rewarding.” 

This event was a collaborative effort between the 2025 HokiePack Job fair committee, chaired by Rosa Williams, along with the faculty and staff in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, the leadership team of the College of Natural Resources and Environment, and the continued support from employers. 

- Written by Erika Gustavson