TAPPI Student Summitt 2020 Takes Over Atlanta

The NC State TAPPI Student Chapter boarded a bus, with 39 students, and traveled to to Atlanta, Georgia, to proudly represent the NC State Paper Science and Engineering program at the annual TAPPI Student Summit. Upon arrival to the convention center, the students settled down to get some rest before a full weekend of networking. On Saturday morning, students attended career round tables focused on topics such as continuing education, personal finance, or careers outside of the mill. During this time, students also participated in industry interviews.  The advisors and student chapter presidents had their luncheons before everyone reconvened for the Summit welcome and Keynote Speech in the early afternoon.

Building your Influence with Crucial Conversation Skills

Judith Honesty, from VitalSmarts, gave an intriguing address on the importance of communication in our industry. She spoke on the power of language and how the way we communicate to each other can affect our careers. A portion of her presentation was also on how society tends to agree with the majority, and not go with their own opinion, afraid of disagreeing. She spoke about staying true to one’s values. However, the keynote address was just one of many presentations that the group benefited from.

The Summit is only as valuable as what the students take away. There were many presentations and round table discussions that provided valuable information. When discussing these presentations, NC State TAPPI Student Chapter President Michael McKenzie said, “My favorite was the one on the evolution of print with the development of electromagnetic ink. I felt that the presentation exposed us to something new and innovative.” The speaker, Daniel Dejan from Sappi Fine Paper, was also very entertaining and kept the attention of the audience for the whole presentation.” PSE Student Kara Mullaney said “she enjoyed the career round tables which gave each student the ability to choose which [topics] interested them, no matter which year students are.”

What Can You Engineer from Paperclips, Paper straws and Toothpicks?

Students not only had the opportunity to listen to presentations, but also take part in hands on learning and fun activities. They competed in an engineering competition and were tasked with building a bridge with a limited supply of popsicle sticks, toothpicks, twine, paperclips and paper straws. They also took place in a Paper Trivia event, testing their knowledge of past and present paper. On Saturday night, there was a game night where students had the chance to connect with attendees from other schools. Later that night, the NC State chapter headed to karaoke for an opportunity to connect as a group.

On Monday morning, the weekend came to a close with industry tours in Atlanta. Students toured Valmet’s facility in Duluth, Ga, learning about remote process control and the paper mills of the future. They then departed for Austell, Ga to tour Greif’s Sweetwater Paperboard plant. The students got to see a 100% recycled process that produces Coated Recycled Paperboard (CRB). Each tour gave a different side to the paper industry. What a great way to end a weekend full of networking, learning, and fun! As a freshman in the program, I learned, engaged, networked and had fun . . . TAPPI Student Summit 2021 here we come!

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by guest blogger Bennett Surrett