August 5th, 2026: Meet the employers who hire our graduates

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: "I graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Packaging Systems and Design in 2018. Before graduating, I interned with Newell Brands during the summer of 2017, supporting the Elmer's business. After graduation, I joined Newell Brands full-time and spent six years on the Baby business, supporting brands such as NUK, Baby Jogger, and Graco. In 2024, I transitioned to the Home Fragrance team as a Senior Packaging Engineer, where I lead packaging development for brands including Yankee Candle and Chesapeake Bay Candle. My 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: "I am Anna Troutt, December 2022 Packaging Systems and Design graduate – Go Hokies! While a student, I 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 I went to work for S.C. Johnson as a packaging engineer supporting the air-care brand Glade. There I focused on research and development in sustainable packaging materials, packaging design innovation, and packaging material and formulation compatibility. Shortly after my 1-year anniversary I made the transition to Valvoline Global Operations as a Senior Manufacturing Packaging Engineer. Today I support the financial justification, engineering, and project execution of packaging equipment and system design projects specifically for bottle and specialty container filling in our domestic and international lubricant blending and bottling plants."