A Pack Expo scholarship winner, recent RIT packaging science graduate Jennifer Yager is eager to dive into the challenges of a career in pharmaceutical or medical device packaging.
During her three years as a marketing student at New York's Rochester Institute of Technology (www.rit.edu), Jen Yager noticed packaging students who were required to take a marketing course sitting in on some of her classes. "We had a professor who was absolutely enthralled with the packaging program. He always took the time to point out the packaging students and would have them introduce themselves and tell a little bit about their program," she recalls. "I mulled it over a while and decided to make the switch to pack-aging science. It was one of the best moves I've ever made."
Yager graduated in May and plans to earn Certified Packaging Professional status, then go after a master's degree or MBA, and eventually work towards a doctorate degree. There may even be teaching down the road. A more immediate goal, however, is to procure a full-time packaging position. "I want to continue learning," she says. " I really enjoy problem-solving. I want to be challenged. If you are not challenged, you don't grow!"
Specifically, Yager yearns for an opportunity to use her B.S. in Packaging Science in the healthcare packaging community. "I had family members who worked in either hospitals or doctor's offices when I was little, so I think I was exposed at an early age to the trials and tribulations of the medical world. At the end of the day I'd like to have the sense of satisfaction of making a difference and making people's lives better."
After her three years of marketing courses, Yager had the opportunity to work for a full year as a paid co-op student at McNeil Consumer Products' Fort Washington, PA, facility during 2005 and 2006, about a half-year longer than most RIT co-op programs.
Distribution packaging challenges
Asked what she sees as a key healthcare packaging challenge, Yager says "transporting product through the distribution chain without compromising the sterile environment or damaging the product, taking into consideration the cold chain. Many of the medicines have such small temperature windows that it's truly amazing they are able to survive." Yager is also interested in package sterilization issues, and becoming involved in ASTM Intl. (www.astm.org), formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials.
But her main focus is primary and secondary packaging. "That's what I really am interested in. Still, without an understanding of tertiary packaging, you can't perform well in primary and secondary packaging," she says.
Leadership role
Yager served this year as the president of the RIT Student Chapter of the Institute of Packaging Profes-sionals (www.iopp.org). "We hosted speakers; and we went on tours of local packaging facilities to give students hands-on experience of what actually happens on a packaging line," she says.
"My personal goal is to get people involved and have a say," Yager states. "It helps their confidence in their classes and study sessions by drawing them out of their shells. I know that when I started in packaging course work, I was shy and reserved. I wished for a mentor. Since I've been back from co-op, I've broken out of my shell. It's very important to me that the freshmen coming in—and transfer students—don't feel like I did. One of the reasons the Pack Expo scholarship means so much to me is because it's leadership-based."
Yager is especially appreciative of the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (www.pmmi.org) for playing "such a supportive role with the RIT students. They not only helped to raise funds for students to attend Pack Expo, but they also covered the bills during the show to provide student representation. Their encouragement and support has been much recognized and much appreciated among the RIT community."
The winner of a $1,125 scholarship from PMMI, Yager was praised in the association's press release: "As president of the RIT Student Chapter of IoPP, Jennifer Yager led the most successful student chapter of the organization in the history of the RIT Packaging Science Program. In addition, she has recruited several students to join the RIT [chapter]. After graduation, she will pursue a career in the medical/pharmaceutical packaging industry." Yager is already on her way to achieving that goal.
Prospective employers can contact Jennifer through editor Jim Butschli (butschli@packworld.com).
