Job Fair
Event Information
Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials invite you to join the 2027 PackJam and Packaging Job Fair on Feb. 17th-20th, 2027.
Meet and Greet Reception
February 17th, 2027
Location: TBD
2027 PackJam
February 18th-20th, 2027
Location: TBD
Packaging Job Fair
February 18th, 2027
Location: TBD
Student Packaging Challenge
February 20th, 2027
Location: TBD
2027 PackJam
Pack-GPT: AI, Packaging, and Career
PackJam is a premier annual, student-led conference hosted on a rotating basis by leading university packaging programs across North America. Over the course of three days, the conference brings together packaging students, faculty, and industry leaders for an engaging program of educational sessions, networking events, facility tours, and professional development activities. Participating schools include Virginia Tech, Michigan State University, Clemson University, Rutgers University, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), University of Wisconsin–Stout, and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).
The conference provides students with a unique opportunity to build lasting connections with their peers from other universities while gaining firsthand insights into emerging technologies, sustainability, packaging innovation, and current industry trends. Industry professionals participate through keynote presentations, technical sessions, panel discussions, and informal networking events, offering valuable career guidance and mentorship to the next generation of packaging professionals.
The 2027 PackJam Conference marks a significant milestone for the Virginia Tech Packaging Program, as it will be the fourth time in the past 17 years that Virginia Tech has been hosting this prestigious event.
The event will welcome students from leading packaging programs across North America and serve as an outstanding platform for companies to enhance their visibility, engage with future talent, showcase innovative technologies, and strengthen relationships with one of the nation's most dynamic packaging communities.
2027 Packaging Job Fair
As part of the 2027 PackJam, the Virginia Tech Packaging Program is proud to host a packaging career fair in Blacksburg, VA. The event will bring together more than 200 highly qualified students from seven leading packaging programs across North America, including Virginia Tech, Michigan State University, Clemson University, Rutgers University, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), University of Wisconsin–Stout, and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).
This event provides companies with an exceptional opportunity to connect directly with the next generation of packaging professionals. Attendees will include undergraduate and graduate students seeking full-time positions, internships, and cooperative education opportunities in packaging engineering, packaging design, sustainable materials, manufacturing, and supply chain innovation.
Whether your organization is recruiting entry-level talent or building long-term relationships with future industry leaders, the 2027 Packaging Job Fair offers unparalleled access to a diverse pool of top-performing students from the nation's premier packaging programs. We encourage your organization to participate and identify the packaging engineers and innovators who will help shape the future of your company.
You will be able to meet and network with many talented undergraduate and graduate students seeking internship and career opportunities and showcase what your company has to offer. The event includes a networking reception, a job fair, and on-site interviews with students.
Secure your booth today by emailing packaging@vt.edu or calling 540-231-8853.
Learn more about Packaging Systems & Design!
Virginia Tech's Packaging Systems and Design program began in 2014. What started as a class of nine is now over 120 undergraduate students with an extensive network of alumni. Our growing program prides itself on a nearly 100 percent job placement rate!
We offer one of the few Packaging Systems and Design degrees in the US. Our PSD major offers a unique path to success with a strong track record of high employment rates and competitive starting salaries. Packaging is a vital part of every industry — whether it’s food, pharmaceuticals, technology, or consumer goods. By earning a degree in Packaging Systems and Design, you’ll be equipped with the skills that make you an indispensable employee, in demand across the global marketplace.
The Packaging Systems and Design major is constructed of small class sizes which provide our undergraduate students with the unique opportunity to construct personal connections with faculty. We also have a Faculty and Advising mentorship program to ensure that every packaging student has someone to provide insight into industry connections and career direction through their time at Virginia Tech. Every student is assigned a mentor to furnish their understanding of the packaging industry and guidance as they refine their personal career goals.
The biggest benefit of our small class sizes is our ability to take our learning outside of the classroom. From our students visiting local packaging companies to companies coming to visit our classes; our students are exposed to real-world packaging implementations on a very in-depth level. This exploratory take on learning has allowed our students to be exposed to all different aspects of packing from materials, to design, to engineering, to testing.
Virginia Tech is a research institution and our packaging program is a global leader in pallet research. The Brooks Lab is in the Corporate Research Center, adjacent to the Virginia Tech campus. It is known for its state-of-the-art equipment and fantastic lab management. We pride ourselves on allowing our students an environment where they can gain hands-on experience and exposure to the realities of the packaging industry before they leave school.
Virginia Tech acknowledges that the best way to solidify knowledge obtained in the classroom is to use that information to solve real-life packaging problems. All of our packaging students have the opportunity to get involved in hands-on projects. These opportunities include working in the Center for Pallet and Unit Load Design, performing undergraduate research in one of our labs, and gaining experience through industry-sponsored design projects.
Our small class sizes provide our students with unique opportunities to learn from hands-on experience. We have three different courses that are specifically designed to provide our students with real-world packaging design experience through research with various industry sponsors (Sustainable Packaging Design I and II, and the Senior Packaging Practicum). In addition to these courses, all of our packaging coursework contains hands-on elements that are designed to provide students with the practical skills that they will need in industry.
Through partnerships with companies for internships, co-ops, and full-time positions, we hope to grow our network and build more opportunities and partnerships for the future of our program.
2027 Sponsorship Levels for PackJam and Packaging Career Fair
For In-Kind-Donations or any questions about the sponsorship levels for this event, please reach out to Dr. Young Kim (ytkim@vt.edu). Dr. Kim is also your contact for special accommodations, any questions about this event, and for other unique sponsorship opportunities.
Employer - FAQs:
Q: Will only Packaging Systems and Design Students attend the fair?
A: The Packaging Job Fair is open to VT students of all majors who are interested in the packaging field.
Q: We want to bring our own promotional materials to the event, how can we make sure that they arrive on-site before the event?
A: During company check-in, committee members and program volunteers will assist companies in transporting any gear or materials from their vehicles to the event hall.
Employer - Booth Materials
All booth materials can be mailed to Hollins Exposition Services. They will be in contact with you before the event.
Holins Exposition Services
Contact: Kris Peter, Account Manager
Email: kpeter@hollins-expo.com
Website: Hollins Exposition Services
Phone: 540-362-3940 x115
Mailing Address: P.O Box 7011, Roanoke Virginia, 24019
Student Information - Resources
If you're a VT student who wishes to attend the 2027 Job Fair, please fill out the registration survey once it's linked here:
Student FAQ:
Q: What is appropriate dress code for the job fair?
A: Dress business formal for the main event and interview sessions.
Q: I already have a position lined up after this semester, can I still attend?
A: Yes! The job fair is a great opportunity to network with industry professionals as well as fellow students. You may even secure a future postion in advance.
Meet Our Committee
This event is student-run with support from the faculty and staff of the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials and the College of Natural Resources and Environment. Please feel free to reach out to any of us if you have questions about the job expo or our program at packaging@vt.edu.
Young-Teck Kim Advisor
Young-Teck Kim
Associate Professor & Packaging Program Director
ytkim@vt.edu
Henry Wright
Student Co-Chair
hcwright@vt.edu
Tatum Pratt
Student Co-Chair
tatump@vt.edu
Contact Info
Phone: 540-231-8853
Email: packaging@vt.edu
Address:
230 Cheatham Hall
Virginia Tech
310 West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Matt Baker
Collegiate Assistant Professor
matthb1@vt.edu
Laszlo Horvath
Dept Head & Professor
lhorvat@vt.edu
Tara Nepper
Director of Alumni & Industry Relations
tnepper@vt.edu
Kimberly Ruchti
Assistant Director of Recruiting
krruchti@vt.edu