What is your mission as a company?
When you choose Packaging Corporation of America, you work with people who do the right things for each other and for our customers. We believe in utilizing the power of strong collaborative relationships, bound by the trust we have earned, to deliver innovative packaging solutions and an outstanding service experience.
What is your company culture?
The cornerstone of our business is the strong relationship between our customers and our PEOPLE—highly engaged, results-oriented teammates who collaborate in an entrepreneurial culture. At PCA, we do what’s right for our CUSTOMERS, not what’s easy—meeting our customers’ complex packaging needs with value and quality built in from start to finish. We respect and value the TRUST that our employees and customers place in us—trust we work hard to earn and keep.
What are your recommendations for seeking mentorship and support in the workplace
For a formal mentorship find someone you would like to model yourself after. It could be someone who followed a particular path you are interested in, or even someone who works in a different area who you admire from a character perspective. Schedule a time to discuss your request for mentorship, what your goals are, and explicitly the type of support you would like for them to provide. Ask for feedback, listen to understand, takes notes, and make sure to show you appreciate their contribution to your development. In an informal manner you can always utilize those more seasoned co-workers around you just by watching their tactics, how they speak to others, how others respond to them, and what kind of results they get. Practice embodying those same characteristics for those you see and successful and make a point to find alternative methods when you see something does not work.
How do I ask for help as a professional?
Be direct, articulate, and acknowledge any gaps in understanding. Be transparent and clear for exactly what you need. Often being willing to ask for help makes you more approachable to other when they are the ones needing help and encourages collaboration.
What is one piece of advice that you would give to your college-aged self?
While it is important to ensure your grades are where they need to be, it is not the only defining point about your college experience. Participate in things out of your comfort zone, collaborate with others with a different perspective, gain exposure to topics outside of your major.
How can my Auburn Engineering education best prepare me for the world of work?
Auburn Engineering teaches a student to rise to the occasion and produce results. It is a challenging program that requires hard work, but you learn you CAN do hard things and be successful. Look at the Auburn Creed, take it to heart, and work to embody all aspects in your daily life.
If you were to hire someone to work with you today, what factors would be most important in your hiring decision and why?
We are always looking for individuals with a curious mindset who can recognize issues, pull together the resources needed to address them, and adapt to and overcome constraints. Individuals who show the potential for grown and drive to be part of making a successful team.
What types of experiences, paid employment, or otherwise, would you most strongly recommend?
We always recommend co-oping as the BEST method to prepare for employment after graduation. The traditional 3 term co-op rotation allows a student to switch back and forth between classroom and industrial setting gaining new perspective after each semester. By the last work term these student have typically earned enough responsibility to function as an entry level engineer. We like to offer these students job opportunities before returning to school for their senior year.
As far as making the most out of one’s work experience, use it as an opportunity to learn what you like and want out of a career long term AND what you aren’t interested in. Often times one’s interests change once they get real hands on experience with a topic and gain exposure to new aspects industry.
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