The Flexible Packaging Association’s (FPA) Emerging Leadership Council (ELC) held its fifth internship series this summer, and more than 30 interns participated.
This program includes interns from companies that are members of FPA. It continues to be a valuable way to support workforce development by connecting students with the flexible packaging industry and helping companies strengthen their talent pipeline.
Organized by the ELC’s Education and Recruitment Committee, the program introduces summer interns to a mix of educational sessions and small-group discussions. Interns hear directly from industry leaders, participate in thoughtful conversations about critical topics, and build relationships that will serve them well as they explore careers in flexible packaging.
This year’s speaker series featured experts from Pregis, Printpack, and Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corporation, as well as Dan Felton, FPA president and CEO. Interns also heard from a panel of ELC members who shared their personal career stories and answered questions about navigating the early stages of a career in the industry.
In addition to the speaker sessions, interns took part in biweekly discussions led by ELC members. These small groups provided a space to reflect on the speaker series, dive deeper into current industry issues, and have open conversations about internships, career development, and the future of flexible packaging.
The program directly supports the mission of the Education and Recruitment Committee: “Building a sustainable future for the flexible packaging industry by attracting and developing future leaders through recruitment and education, while providing impactful resources to raise awareness of critical industry issues.”
In addition to myself, the project leaders were James Rosenberger, product manager—sustainable solutions at Charter Next Generation, and Justinian Broughton, product development manager at Pregis.
“I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors throughout my career in flexible packaging,” Rosenberger says. “The FPA ELC summer internship program offers a unique opportunity for my colleagues and me to pay it forward, helping the next generation launch their careers. Sharing experiences and guiding students as they discover their career paths is an incredibly rewarding experience.”
“Hearing how other interns think through topics and then hearing those ideas expanded on by our group leader helped me see the industry in a new light. It showed me that there’s a lot of opportunity to grow in this field.”
—Chase McGee, intern at Bryce Corporation
Broughton also says he enjoyed leading a group of interns from different companies this summer.
“We’ve had some great conversations about the flexible packaging industry—everything from sustainability and materials to career paths and how they found their way into the industry,” Broughton says. “It has been rewarding to hear their perspectives, share my own experiences, and help them facilitate a broader network that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Flexible Packaging Association.”
From the interns’ perspective, the program leaves a lasting impact as they begin shaping their careers in flexible packaging.
“Hearing how other interns think through topics and then hearing those ideas expanded on by our group leader helped me see the industry in a new light,” says Chase McGee, an intern at Bryce Corporation. “It showed me that there’s a lot of opportunity to grow in this field.”
For FPA member companies looking to invest in the future of their workforce, this program remains a meaningful and effective way to introduce top talent to the opportunities in flexible packaging.
Patrick Clark, vice president, product development and procurement at Bryce Corporation, is vice-chair of the ELC’s Education and Recruitment Committee.