By: Sara Gregory ’27

Members of the NC State TAPPI Chapter had an incredible opportunity to represent NC State at the 2026 TAPPI-PIMA Student Summit held January 17–19 in Birmingham, Alabama. This annual event brings together engineering and technical students from universities across the nation for three days of professional development, networking, and career exploration within the pulp, paper, packaging, tissue, and converting industries.

The summit is far more than a typical career fair; it’s a platform for students to network with industry professionals, participate in face-to-face interviews, engage in team-based activities, and attend leadership sessions designed to prepare them for tomorrow’s careers. Many students leave with new insights into industry trends and direct contacts that have helped past attendees secure internships or full-time positions.

This year’s event drew more than 200 students from 15+ universities, including engineering and technical programs from schools across the U.S., all eager to learn, connect, and grow. The summit offered a variety of experiences, such as one-on-one interviews with hiring companies, dynamic roundtable discussions, team-building activities, and networking events that fostered both professional and personal connections.

Our NC State students made the most of these opportunities, building relationships with industry leaders, sharing experiences with peers from other chapters, and gaining valuable insights into future career pathways. The Summit’s collaborative environment and welcoming community helped attendees refine their professional goals and expand their industry networks.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that next year’s TAPPI-PIMA Student Summit will be hosted right here in Raleigh, North Carolina! This is a huge honor for our region and a great chance for even more NC State students to participate. Even more exciting, our very own Abby Hickman will serve as the Student Chair for the 2027 Summit, helping lead planning and student engagement for the event.

We’re incredibly proud of all the students who represented NC State this year, and we can’t wait to welcome the TAPPI community to Raleigh next January!