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Wallace Layman – Student Spotlight

Wallace Layman

Hometown:

  • Kodak, Tennessee

High School Graduation Year:

  • 2019

Degrees:

  • BS, Paper Science and Engineering, 2023
  • BS, Chemical Engineering, 2023

Work Experience:

  • I am looking forward to my future work experience: Buckman, Charleston, SC, Georgetown, SC, Summer and Fall 2020

Why did you choose  Paper Science and Engineering (PSE)?

  • My reasons for choosing PSE were simple.  They are the complete opposite of what other colleges were saying, scholarships ARE available, internships ARE for all students, yes even freshman, and I’m not just a number, I am a real person that is cared for and looked out for, that is the core of what this PSE program at NC State is about and these factors, along with the pure uniqueness of the subject, peaked my interest and I am loving it!

What is your favorite thing about Paper Science and Engineering?

  • The available  high paid industry internships and co-ops starting even in freshman year. I felt that I was already starting to be treated as a professional as soon as I stepped into the program even as an 18 year old and this is very special to me.

What is your favorite thing about NC State?

  • Is it too cheesy to put the PSE program? If I am going to be honest, my absolute most enjoyed experiences at NC State are the dining hall events. I would plan whole days around when I got go try exotic foods from India , South Africa, and even Brazil. These little tastes of adventure made my day when I had the chance to enjoy them.

What advice would you offer to an incoming freshman?

  • I would advise anyone coming into the PSE program to take advantage of the interviews for industry opportunities. Interview with every company possible just to get experience and learned about different parts of the industry as much as available. Other advice would be to treat college like a full time job. College is much different than high school in that you don’t have specific 8-3 work hours. You need to treat school as if it’s your full time job and through out the week, time needs to be set aside rigorously to be successful.

What would people be surprised to know about you? 

  • That I am a novice banjo player.

Who has been your favorite staff and/or faculty member?

  • It has to be Dr. Byrd. I have never seen anyone so passionate about anything in my life as he is about paper. He was a major reason I became hooked on paper and he engages me in the process so effectively that I am just exuberant about my future in this industry.