OXFORD, Ohio -- The Paper Science & Engineering Foundation at Miami University was founded in 1960 through the donations of several local paper mills and corporations who wanted to ensure the education of future paper engineers.
The foundation continues to actively work with students in the paper science and engineering program at Miami University. Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with senior Avery Hendl. We asked her a few questions about her experiences at Miami.
What attracted you to the Paper Science and Engineering program?
When I toured Miami University in high school, they frequently mentioned the Paper Science and Engineering program. As a high school senior interested in materials science, environmental sustainability, and engineering, I was eager to learn more about the program. I had never thought about paper science or the paper industry before, and was very curious. Additionally, the program only added a couple of classes to my coursework, which made it very easy to add the paper science minor. Each college has its "niches," and the paper science niche at Miami University was one I was ready to take advantage of!
Were you looking into pulp and paper when you were in high school?
Throughout most of high school, I was actually more interested in the medical field! I shadowed doctors, applied for direct admission MD programs, and applied to all of my college options as a biomedical engineering major. When I heard about Miami's paper science program at the end of my senior year, I pivoted and changed my major to chemical engineering. During my freshman year of college, I pivoted again and changed my major to mechanical engineering so I could focus more on the physics side of engineering.
Tell us about the internships and/or co-ops you have had.
Throughout college, I wanted to learn as much as I could about what an engineering job could look like after graduation. So, at each career fair, I targeted companies that had roles featuring something I hadn't learned or experienced yet. Through my exploration, I learned a lot about myself, corporate operations, and the flexibility of an engineering degree!
The summer after my freshman year, I was an EHS intern at an International Paper (IP) in Franklin, VA. My main projects included auditing the mill for compliance to chemical handling, use, and storage policies and a self-created project of analyzing effluent streams for ecolabel specifications. Both projects took me through every section of the mill, which was a great introduction to the industry. At the mill, I was exposed to many aspects of the industry: EHS, maintenance, fiber supply, process control, and more. I do not remember one boring day!
The summer after my sophomore year, I continued my exploration of the paper industry as a research and development engineering intern at Georgia-Pacific's consumer products R&D center in Neenah, WI. I was on the platform team, so my projects revolved around the pilot plant. This experience was special to me because it was the first time I worked on truly technical projects that were relevant to my minor's coursework. One of my projects put me out of my comfort zone as I figured out how to develop a testing method using tools and concepts I had only learned about that summer. My second project, however, was my favorite. I planned and ran a paper machine clothing trial on one of the pilot paper machines. I had a lot of fun analyzing the data and figuring out the "whys" behind all of our observations in such an experimental setting. I was able to work with the clothing supplier and present our findings, something that gave me a great learning experience with supplier relationships. While getting so close to the machines was fun, my favorite part about this internship was working with and getting to know the team members of the facility. Everyone I worked with, from the lab techs to the operators, was supportive and helped me gain a deeper understanding of the realities of production and R&D. They were also just fun to get to know!
This past summer, I had the opportunity to intern with Avery Dennison's supply chain team in Mentor, OH. My work centered on financial analysis and data management for the transportation division, where I gained a deep appreciation for the logistics required to operate a global enterprise. To learn more about supply chain, I also completed the CSCMP Supply Chain Foundations: The Essentials Professional course on LinkedIn Learning.
While the projects were valuable, the highlight of my summer was getting to know the people at Avery Dennison. Knowing this was my final internship, I challenged myself to network extensively before returning to school. I ended up connecting with over 50 colleagues, ranging from Government Relations to EHS, and across various levels of leadership.
My goal was to learn about their career paths and daily realities, but I also wanted to keep things personal. Staying true to myself, I ended every interview by asking for their favorite ice cream flavor. I received great recommendations and loved hearing the diverse stories behind the people at Avery Dennison!
All three of my internships provided me with a diverse set of experiences that will serve me well as I continue my career in the paper industry as a Sales Trainee for Clearwater Paper Corporation.
What does this program mean to you?
I see this program as a huge opportunity for students and industry companies. The Paper Science and Engineering program at Miami University lowers any barriers of entry for students to explore the paper industry. Through the program, it is easier to get internship experiences and industry experiences. Our executive director is frequently available to give students advice, and he has many years of experience in the industry. If he is not able to help, he has many connections he utilizes to help students. Students also get merit scholarships for studying the minor. Altogether, if anyone in mechanical, chemical, or electrical engineering has any interest in manufacturing or materials science, they would greatly benefit from adding on the minor and learning about an industry people don't think about much!
On the industry side, companies have a selective pool of 100+ students who have expressed interest in the paper industry, study paper science, and go to monthly student TAPPI meetings where they learn about the industry from new companies every month. It is not common for college graduates to know the nuances about the industry they are starting to work in, which is not the case for Miami University Paper Engineering graduates. In addition, every Miami University paper student interacts with other paper engineering students, meaning they bring a network of paper industry professionals before they even start working in the industry.
I greatly appreciate how the program provided opportunities for me to explore and meet people during college, and I know the benefits will not stop there. I look forward to connecting with the many other Miami University paper engineering alumni as I continue my career in the industry!
Where do you see yourself in five and 10 years, and what are your career aspirations?
In 5 years, I hope to see myself continuing to learn new things and gain diverse experiences in the paper industry. Within 5-10 years, I expect to study and obtain an MBA. One day, I hope to utilize my diverse experiences to make business strategy decisions.
On a personal level, in 5 years, I hope to have traveled to at least 1 new continent and to have 2 cats. In 10 years, I hope to have a house with a big yard for a vegetable and flower garden!
What would you recommend to anyone who might be interested in getting into pulp and paper?
Don't be afraid to explore and try new things! The paper industry is very welcoming and close-knit, and everyone I have met was very supportive of me doing "stretch" projects and learning beyond the scope of my job description.
The paper industry is regionally concentrated, which can be scary to learn. Most industry jobs are located where the forests are, so I had to move away from my hometown to gain more diverse industry experiences. In addition to exploring different industry experiences, the paper industry also allows you to explore different regions of the USA and the world! I'm from Cleveland, but I lived near Green Bay, WI, and Virginia Beach, VA, for 3 months because of this industry. I also travelled to Memphis and Atlanta on work trips, as well as Austria, Slovenia, and Italy for a paper engineering study abroad.
The opportunities are there, and they are abundant in this industry. You just have to take advantage of them!
Please let us know of anything else of interest regarding your experiences in the program.
Miami's Paper Science program not only provides paper industry teachings in the classroom, but also in actual paper industry sites. Every semester, our student TAPPI chapter plans at least one site visit a semester. Through these site visits, I have seen a Graphic Packaging recycled paperboard mill and a Domtar coating facility.
Occasionally, the program will also provide a study abroad opportunity for paper engineering students. For the month of January in 2025, I traveled with 18 other students to various locations in Austria, Slovenia, and Italy. In addition to cultural experiences and taking classes, we also got to see the European side of the paper industry! We visited 9 paper mills (of all different grades), 2 technical institutes, 2 technical museums, 2 paper machine manufacturing sites, and 1 supplier (a calcium carbonate mine and processing facility). This was a very unique experience that furthered my appreciation for the pulp and paper industry, and I am very grateful for my professor, Dr. Steven Keller, and the paper science program for making it happen.
Please tell us your year in the program, your hometown, and any interesting things you do in your free time.
I am a senior mechanical engineering major with a minor in paper engineering at Miami University. Throughout college, I have also owned a small business! I sell my handmade jewelry at farmers' markets, stores, and events. In my free time, I enjoy running, hiking, rockhounding, and taking care of my plants!
Editor's Note: Click here for more on the Miami PS&E foundation.
