At Pratt Industries, we strive to develop the next generation of packaging professionals by giving students the opportunity to gain real-world experience through our Internship Program.
This summer, we spoke to a few of our interns to learn more about their experiences and what drew them to Pratt. Many of our interns shared that they took a position with Pratt to apply their classroom learning to real-world challenges, while others aimed to explore corrugated packaging and sustainability. This mix of goals led to valuable experiences, blending academic knowledge with practical industry insights.
“I wanted to hone in on what I might be interested in doing full time after school,” said Gavin Roby, Industrial Engineering Intern with Pratt Retail in Hebron, KY. “I knew that since Pratt is a large company with multiple divisions, I could gain insight into plenty of different applications of my degree, as well as find what might be more or less appealing to me as a career.”
Ray Toma, Mechanical Engineering Intern at our paper mill in Conyers, GA agreed and noted that he was able to apply what he’s learned in school to the paper making and corrugated packaging processes.
“From a mechanical engineering standpoint, I learned how a paper machine functions, including its air and steam systems and components,” said Toma. “It was interesting to see how each of the engineers in the mill managed their own parts of the system by combining information they gained in school with lessons that they’ve learned working in the mill for so many years. I definitely saw some of what I’m learning in college being used on these machines.”
Olivia Smith, Marketing Intern in Atlanta, GA shared that her experience in the company’s Marketing Department gave her insights into how a relatively small department can work together to support a large organization.
“Being a part of the creative process and marketing team meetings taught me that a team, where everyone’s unique strengths are utilized, leads to greater productivity and creativity,” shared Smith. “When team members work on projects they’re passionate about, it results in better assets and more effective support for other departments. These meetings also taught me a lot about how to successfully work together as a team to get important things done efficiently.”
Maya Slobin, Sustainability and Government Affairs Intern for Pratt Corporate, agreed that gaining more experience in her field was important as she looked for a summer internship. Specifically, she was interested in working for a company focused on corporate sustainability.
“Pratt’s genuine commitment to sustainability inspired me. In a world where greenwashing is becoming increasingly prominent, Pratt’s close-the-loop system and 100% recycled containerboard stood out to me,” said Slobin. “I could tell that this is a company whose efforts were not surface-level. The opportunity to take part in sustainability and government affairs work, including extensive research of Extended Producer Responsibility regulations and the developing legislation related to waste management, gave me the chance to learn from and support a company with inspiring values.”
While gaining hands-on experience in their specific fields was a primary draw for our interns, another significant benefit of our program is the opportunity to explore and understand various roles across the company. This exposure not only helps them appreciate the broader scope of the corrugated packaging industry but also opens doors to career paths they might not have previously considered.
“I learned how interconnected the teams can be,” said Zack Paynter, Sales Support Intern with Pratt Retail in Atlanta, GA. “For example, sometimes I helped the sales team by setting up products in our warehouse, while other days I worked with the cold chain team by tracking orders, deliveries, and other metrics. No two days were the same!”
Jeremy Deller, Process Improvement Intern with Pratt Converting in Greenville, SC shared a similar experience to Paynter, noting, “Learning all the different aspects of the company has been extremely interesting. I have been able to spend a few days with members of our design, customer service, scheduling, sales and production teams to gain insights into their roles. I’ve enjoyed learning how each of these teams work together to produce corrugated packaging.”
“Working in the corrugated packaging industry and specifically interning at Pratt is an experience unlike any other,” said Kyle Colton, Mechanical Engineering Intern, Pratt Retail, Vandalia, OH. “There are many different departments throughout the company with positions from sales to engineering that really allow you to get a wide range of professional experiences.”
Emily Manuel, Office Intern at our paper mill in Wapakoneta, OH agreed, noting, “I would definitely recommend an internship at Pratt. The program is built to foster growth and prepare you for a successful career.”