Lifelong learning—blueprint for success: sure a college degree is important but continuing your education is key to staying ahead of the pack

Food & Drug Packaging, May, 2002 by Christopher Barry

Many newcomers starting their careers in the packaging industry are not only armed with a bachelor's degree they're also locked and loaded with exhilaration and ideas. And, more than likely, as their work in the packaging field begins, new grads will hear comments from veterans in the packaging business like, "This is where your education really begins."

The truth is there is no better education than what you learn on the job. But, as the newness settles and work becomes work, it's inevitable that a certain amount of complacency enters into the day-to-day routine.

The thought of continuing one's education beyond the scope of the daily demands of the job can be met with resistance. Some packagers having spent years, maybe decades, in the field may question the validity of formalized education when, after all, they've already gone to school and packaging is what they do for a living.

Once you've established your career in packaging, if career cultivation is your goal, you simply must grow and be effective in the industry by continuously learning. in fact, without continuing your education, its almost guaranteed that you'll fall behind.

It's like this: The state-of-the-art in packaging is developed by practitioners entrenched in the field. So to understand what's going on in the industry, what to react to and how to be effective--you have to keep up with the experts. For instance, regardless of your current packaging position, you have to understand what's new in packaging regulations, what mechanical engineers are doing to make packaging machinery and lines more efficient and what new concepts in packaging design are being developed.

Trade magazines like ours can help by identifying overall trends and presenting the basics of new technology. But to really go in-depth, more traditional learning may be necessary.

Here are just two convenient ways packaging professionals can continue their education:

* University-based lifelong learning programs and seminars including online packaging classes and curriculums.

* Packaging associations continuing education and packaging certification programs.

University sponsored seminars

Although you can expand your education by enrolling in Master's and Ph.D. packaging programs on the university level, it isn't necessary to do so to take advantage of university sponsored continuing education programs.

Most universities that offer degreed packaging studies (see Table 1 for a list of colleges and universities that have extensive packaging curriculums) are also committed to helping packagers already working in the field to continue their education by offering seminars and conferences.

One example of an extended seminar is a two-week long Intensive Packaging Program cosponsored by both San Jose and Clemson Universities. The program is designed for packaging professionals, for those with limited experience in packaging or for those who may have a shift in their job responsibilities where they need to gain some packaging fundamentals.

Two programs will be held in July and August of 2002 with topics including fundamentals of packaging dynamics, packaging materials, instrumentation, food and drug packaging, legislation and packaging testing and evaluation.

According to Jorge Marcondes, Ph.D., packaging program coordinator at San Jose University, the key to the Intensive Packaging Program is its flexibility--participants may enroll for one, two or as many topics as they want. Each topic is offered on a full day, and is totally independent of other topics.

During the 1980s, in response to packaging industry needs for continuing education, the Michigan State University School of Packaging initiated a series of specialized workshops for packaging professionals. Professionals in the field, who were encountering the challenges of a fast-changing technological environment, welcomed the opportunity to expand their knowledge with industry experts and educators. Current courses available present the basics of packaging principles for inexperienced packagers and advanced coverage of specific topic areas for scientists and experienced packaging engineers.

Michigan State University also offers online educational opportunities, for those who are just starting a career in packaging or for those seeking an advanced degree. Students may complete requirements for a non-thesis Master's degree online within three years. The time commitment for online courses averages 10 to 15 hours per week and the keys to this program are flexibility and convenience.

Time commitments may vary depending on individual circumstances.

Commitment to continuing education Packaging professionals have other alternatives beyond the structured university program for continuing their education. Associations such as the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) and the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) are committed to the expansion of knowledge for working packaging professionals (for other society and associations that provide continuing education programs see table 2).