Meet Packaging Engineering Student Alexandra Medley

Packaging major Alexandra Medley hopes to put her classroom knowledge and hands-on industry experience to use as a packaging engineer. 

Why Rutgers? 

I chose Rutgers because there was a wide variety of majors I could pursue. I was unsure what I wanted to major in when coming to Rutgers, but I knew I would find my place here. I also didn’t want to be too far from home. 

What drew you to packaging engineering? 

I was drawn to major in packaging engineering because it allowed me to combine a variety of my interests including but not limited to business, creativity, innovation, and design. I like being able to work in any industry and love the idea of being able to see what I work on in stores. 

What do you like most about the packaging engineering faculty? 

I really enjoy how much the professors in packaging are connected to the industry and how much they want to see us succeed. They are very knowledgeable across all industries, and they are always available for questions. 

Have you had any internships?  

I had two internships at the Estée Lauder Companies during summer 2022 and spring - summer 2023. At Estée Lauder, I worked on the packaging development team, where I was able to apply what I had learned in class , as well as gain exposure to many areas of the business.  

I also had a packaging science co-op at Unilever in fall 2022. There, I was able to build on my previous knowledge regarding package development and gain experience in package testing. With both companies, I also had the opportunity to visit some of their suppliers, which expanded my packaging knowledge as well. 

What do you hope to do after you graduate? 

I hope to secure a full-time job as a packaging engineer in the consumer goods, cosmetic, or food industries. Additionally, I hope to get a master’s degree in business administration and/or a master's that would help me specialize in packaging. 

What advice do you have for future students? 

My biggest piece of advice is to do an internship or co-op. Although it may seem intimidating at first, spending time in the industry helps you feel more confident in your field and helps you confirm that you want to continue in your field after graduation. 

What three words best describe your SoE experience? 

Exciting. Rigorous. Enriching.