August 26th, 2026: Co-ops and internships: Get paid to learn

Curious where a degree in Packaging Systems and Design can take you? Join this virtual live session to hear from two senior-level leaders at top packaging companies that hire students like ours. They’ll share what packaging careers look like, what skills employers want, and how Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech can help you get there.

Featured Speakers

• Michelle Lipka, Senior Packaging Engineer, Yankee & Chesapeake Bay Candles, Newell Brands

  Michelle graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Packaging Systems and Design in 2018. Before graduating, she interned with Newell Brands during the summer of 2017, supporting the Elmer's business. After graduation, she joined Newell Brands full-time and spent six years on the Baby business, supporting brands such as NUK, Baby Jogger, and Graco. In 2024, she transitioned to the Home Fragrance team as a Senior Packaging Engineer, where she leads packaging development for brands including Yankee Candle and Chesapeake Bay Candle. Her day-to-day work includes designing and testing packaging, collaborating with cross-functional teams and suppliers, and helping bring new products from concept to store shelves.

• Anna Troutt, Senior Manufacturing Packaging Engineer, Valvoline Global Operations, SC Johnson

  Anna is a December 2022 Packaging Systems and Design graduate from Virginia Tech. While a student, she held internships in structural design at a Pratt Industries subsidiary and quality engineering at Steelcase, as well as an 8-month co-op in industrial packaging engineering at Steelcase. Immediately after graduation, she joined SC Johnson as a packaging engineer supporting the air-care brand Glade, focusing on research and development in sustainable packaging materials, packaging design innovation, and packaging material and formulation compatibility. Shortly after her 1-year anniversary, she transitioned to Valvoline Global Operations as a Senior Manufacturing Packaging Engineer. Today, she supports the financial justification, engineering, and project execution of packaging equipment and system design projects specifically for bottle and specialty container filling in domestic and international lubricant blending and bottling plants.