Packaging science students take charge of organizing the highly anticipated Packaging Jamboree national conference at RIT

Rochester, New York – Organizing a national conference is no small feat, especially for students managing the demands of a rigorous academic program. Lia Grammer and Julia Carreras, both fourth-year students in Rochester Institute of Technology’s (RIT) packaging science program, have taken on this challenge head-on. The duo is co-chairing the upcoming Packaging Jamboree, a major student-led event that is set to bring together nearly 200 students, faculty, and industry professionals. Their journey has been a balancing act of academics, internships, and leadership responsibilities, but the experience has been both rewarding and educational.

The Packaging Jamboree, which will take place from April 11-13, 2025, is an annual gathering designed to foster collaboration and learning among students and professionals in the packaging field. RIT last hosted the event in 2017, making this year’s edition a significant milestone. For Grammer and Carreras, planning such a large-scale event required careful coordination of logistics, workshops, and networking opportunities. They aimed to create an experience that aligns with the latest trends in packaging science, ensuring that attendees gain valuable insights and connections.

“It’s important for students like us to put together a conference like this to gain skills in planning huge events, because in the future you might be tasked to do that,” said Carreras, a native of Lexington, Mass. “I think Lia and I have networked tremendously with so many companies, we made great connections getting sponsors, and we are getting good at communications.”

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The path to this leadership role was not without its challenges. Balancing the rigorous demands of their coursework with the extensive planning required for Packaging Jamboree pushed both students to refine their time management skills. Grammer, who hails from Montgomery, N.Y., acknowledged the intensity of their workload but saw it as a preview of real-world responsibilities.

“At first, we thought we had to do all this planning ourselves, and we’ve both learned a lot about time management. To balance this on top of academics and coursework is a lot. But that’s how it will be when you are in the workplace,” Grammer noted.

Both students were drawn to RIT’s packaging science program due to its unique combination of engineering, materials science, and design applications. Their academic careers have been shaped by hands-on experiences, from co-ops to industry collaborations. They believe that the close-knit nature of the packaging community is one of its greatest strengths.

“I feel like the packaging community is small and tight-knit, so just having the chance to make connections while we are in school is important,” Grammer explained. “With co-ops, I was able to meet other packaging students from other universities. Being able to have this opportunity for first and second-year students through this conference is key for us because we might be working with some of them as co-workers or managers.”

Beyond their roles in organizing the conference, Grammer and Carreras have excelled in their academic and extracurricular pursuits. Grammer, an Eagle Scout and volunteer social media coordinator for the student chapter of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IOPP), has been recognized as an Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar, an award reserved for the top one percent of RIT students. She also received a PepsiCo academic scholarship and recently completed a co-op with the company. Her hard work has paid off—she has secured a full-time position at PepsiCo as an R&D associate engineer in its Valhalla, N.Y., location, where she will support the packaging brand stewardship team starting June 30.

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Carreras has also built an impressive resume. She was a Liberty League All-Academic selection as a midfielder for RIT’s women’s lacrosse team and is an active member of Encore, one of RIT’s a cappella groups. She recently received an IOPP Tejas Chapter scholarship and has been named the packaging science department delegate for this year’s graduation ceremony. Her leadership and dedication have earned her a job offer from Whelen Engineering, a company specializing in audio and visual warning equipment for first responder vehicles and aviation.

“I just got an offer from Whelen Engineering,” Carreras shared excitedly. “I’m going to be the first packaging engineer in the company. I will be able to bring all my packaging knowledge to the table. I’m incredibly excited, and this really puts a bow on all I’ve worked for.”

With Packaging Jamboree just around the corner, the students are making their final preparations to ensure the event is a success. The conference will feature expert speakers and workshops that address the evolving landscape of packaging technology, sustainability, and industry best practices. More importantly, it will serve as a platform for students to network with professionals and peers, gaining insight into potential career paths.
For Grammer and Carreras, the journey of organizing Packaging Jamboree has been a testament to the power of perseverance, teamwork, and strategic planning. As they transition from student leaders to professionals, the skills they have honed through this experience will undoubtedly serve them well in their careers. Their ability to manage complex projects while excelling academically is a clear indication of the bright futures that lie ahead.
As the packaging industry continues to evolve, events like Packaging Jamboree play a crucial role in preparing the next generation of professionals. Thanks to the dedication of students like Grammer and Carreras, this year’s conference is set to leave a lasting impact on its attendees and the industry as a whole.