Students enrolled in packaging programs don’t always start on that track. But that was not the case with Amanda Szymanoski, who graduated in May from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).
“I chose RIT because of its packaging science program,” Szymanoski says. “Art, math, and science have always been my favorite school subjects, and packaging is a unique combination of the three. I am also passionate about sustainability and want to design packaging that reflects that.”
After graduating in May, Szymanoski interned at a packaging supply company with a focus on corrugated board. “And I hope to have opportunities to work with flexible packaging in the future.”
Szymanoski was one of five students from RIT to win First Place and Best Video in the Flexible Packaging Association’s (FPA) 2025 Student Flexible Packaging Design Challenge. Another team at RIT won an Honorable Mention in the contest. (An article about all the winners can be found at flexpackvoice.com.)
From Undecided to Packaging
Szymanoski’s teammates included Jacob Marrer, who intends to graduate from RIT’s packaging science program in 2026.
“I started off undecided in college, but one of my senior teammates suggested I join him in packaging, especially with my childhood interest in making random things out of paper and old corrugate,” Marrer says. “After graduation, I would love to get into medical packaging because the high pressure and stiff regulations lead to creative problem-solving. Much of the medical industry involves flexible packaging, so I’m sure I will be involved in the flexible industry no matter what.”
Marrer’s experience isn’t unusual, as many students start in another discipline before finding their way to packaging programs.
Like Marrer, Olivia Morris, who was also part of the winning team, started at RIT undecided about a major.
“My adviser at the time thought packaging science would be a good fit for me. I took a few packaging classes my first semester of college and the rest was history,” Morris says, adding that she graduated in May and wants to work in the pharmaceutical packaging industry. This summer, she was working as a pharmacy technician. “I enjoy how versatile the packaging industry can be.”
From Engineering to Packaging
Teammate Austin Pralow started RIT in its chemical engineering program but found it to be less enjoyable than he had expected.
“I came across packaging science while searching for a new major,” says Pralow, who intends to enroll in the sustainable systems master’s program at RIT after he finishes his undergraduate degree. “Discussions with multiple faculty members revealed the diverse applications and creative problem-solving potential within the field of packaging.”
Travis Daly started at RIT in electrical engineering.
“After a short while, I realized that it was not for me. I wanted something more hands-on and with a good blend of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and creativity,” Daly says. “Researching other pathways RIT offers, I learned that RIT has an exceptional packaging program. After one semester, I knew it was right for me.”
Cole Teeple began college in mechatronics engineering but switched majors after one semester. He was one of three RIT students to win an Honorable Mention in the FPA contest.
“A couple of my close friends went to bat for this packaging science program I had never heard of before,” Teeple says. “I was at a standstill about what I wanted to do with my career, so I gave it a shot and haven’t looked back since.”
From Exercise to Packaging
One of his contest teammates, Maddy Cook, started college at RIT as an exercise science major.
“Pretty early on, I realized it just wasn’t the right fit for me,” Cook says. “I knew I wanted something hands-on, and I happened to talk to one of my dad’s friends who is a packaging engineer. He introduced me to the field.”
She learned that a lot goes into packaging design and engineering. The conversation led her to take a course with Kyle Dunno, department chair at RIT and associate professor.
“That class totally changed my perspective. I got really interested in how many different aspects go into packaging, and sustainability really caught my attention. From there, I switched majors and have loved that choice,” Cook says. “Flexible packaging plays such a key role in product functionality and sustainability. There is a lot of room for innovation in that space, especially when it comes to balancing convenience with environmental impact, which really interests me.”
Thomas A. Barstow is senior editor at FlexPack VOICE®.