Packaging Systems Engineer 

How did you get your current job?
Submitted resume to company’s website

What was the application process?
Submitted resume and cover letter. Got call and had a phone interview

Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
One phone interview followed by a face to face interview with 5 people in two group interviews.

If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
Why do you want to work for a consulting firm after having been on the client side of the relationship? Can you travel? What concerns do you have about now working on the consulting side of the business?

Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
My previous experience in the industry as a client has prepared me for this consulting position.

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
4 year engineering degree and then On The Job Training. As far as I can tell, there is no formal training or schooling for the packaging equipment engineering function.

Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
definitely yes, scientific method works for engineering processes and business processes

If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
Internship with a medical device company introduced the workings of a manufacturing plant and was extremely valuable

If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Get a 4-year traditional discipline engineering degree, electrical, mechanical, civil, etc. A Packaging Science degree may not help you very much in acquiring this equipment focused job. I would recommend getting manufacturing plant floor experience, preferably in maintenance or plant engineering. Spend a year in this role and then start getting into project engineering experience working on scoping out small plant projects. Spend as much time on the floor as possible and learn to work with operators and maintenance personnel and network with their managers on up. Ask questions, learn the functions of the different departments, quality, material planners, packaging materials,R&D, warehousing and everything supply chain including sales and who the customers are. Understand and develop an appreciation for the Marketing function and make friends with these folks. This awareness will minimize you being blindsided from requests and changes to equipment and train you to look up and down the supply chain when planning a new product/equipment installation, scheduling start up, building inventory for shutdown and identifying your internal customers. That is a good foundation which you can either develop further at your first company or market to another (preferably larger) company. Solid experience with several companies is well received by a consulting firm looking to hire. My personal recommendation is to spend several years at client companies (5+) before moving over to a consulting position. As a result, you will outshine any engineer who was hired directly into consulting who does not have that direct client experience.

What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
An intellectual curiosity, must not be afraid to ask questions, must have maturity to work with all career levels and maturity levels of people. Ask ‘what if?’. Have a passion for execution and seeing a plan come together. Developed social skills to ask the right questions and develop rapport with everyone you encounter, even the janitor. In early career, every encounter should be an opportunity to learn about that person, their job, their role within the company, what their goals are, and who are their internal customers. Be a promoter, help them meet their goals and they will return the favor. Stay positive, don’t bash management, instead tell them concerns and have possible solutions. And of course, sound skills in engineering principles and especially solid comprehension of the scientific method. Being able to apply the scientific method to situations that involve a combination of Machinery, Materials, Method, *and* Man.

Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Typically you cannot be hired as an engineer if you do not have a 4 year engineering degree.

What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
See ‘skills’ question above. The packaging world is a rather small industry. You will see and meet the same people your entire career though they may be at different companies. Don’t burn bridges. Understand the key relationships and interactions in the packaging world. You may think you’re just installing a piece of equipment, but it’s also your responsibility (indirectly) that the packaging materials work correctly on the equipment and it is properly operated and maintained. Remember Machinery, Materials, Method, Man.