Jane Chase
1. Know your worth. I have noticed new packaging professionals often hesitate to offer their perspectives on situations needing problem-solving. When encouraged to contribute, they say they are just starting out and don’t have much to offer. They might lack experience, but they need to understand their insights bring fresh perspective to those who may have been entrenched in approaching a problem in a certain way or who are looking for an obvious solution. Your voice is valuable. Speak up with confidence.
2. Broaden your skill set. Early career packaging professionals are in a wonderful position to learn and gain exposure to a broad range of experiences. While they clearly should build their technical knowledge, they also need to look ahead to broaden their skill set and prepare for their next role. Understanding the roles of each function you interface with on projects makes you more effective, prepares you for promotions, and increases your value to your organization. Truly, luck occurs when opportunity meets preparation, so be prepared for your next role when the opportunity arises.
3. Always take on a challenge. Sometimes an opportunity will present itself and your first thought might be that you aren’t prepared to accept the challenge. Challenges that feel too big often bring the most satisfaction and personal growth. Embrace the challenge. If you are offered such an opportunity, it means someone believes in your ability and wants to invest in your success.
4. Embrace setbacks. Unexpected occurrences are part of anyone’s career trajectory—a project that doesn’t go as planned, being passed over for a promotion, navigating a corporate reorganization. It’s cliché, but things happen for a reason, and setbacks are temporary. Projects that don’t go exactly as planned and present a technical hurdle may feel like a defeat at the time. But those projects make you dig deep and provide the opportunity to grow, technically and professionally.
5. Be a continual learner. Wherever you are in your career journey, your curiosity is a powerful asset. Always look to expand your knowledge base and business acumen. Make continual learning a mindset.
6. Build a network. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of building a professional and personal network. It’s easy early in your career to be extremely internally focused within your own organization. You need to establish relationships with your teams to accomplish the company’s goals and succeed in your role. But the earlier you focus on building an external network, the better for your career. Outside resources will provide you with an industry perspective that elevates your value to your organization. If the first time you are reaching out to connect with someone is when looking for a new position, you’re too late. Build relationships proactively so they’re available when you need them.
The ultimate networking opportunity is mentoring. As you establish your network, strategically look for someone whose career you admire and want to emulate. Packaging professionals are generous people and when asked are more than willing to offer advice.
Professional associations provide an opportunity to build an industry network. IoPP is the largest individual membership organization serving the packaging industry. It provides excellent opportunities to network with packaging professionals through attending chapter events and engaging with technical committees. Pack Chat and Mentor Match are wonderful tools to help build your career.
As I retire, I wish the next generation a career as gratifying as mine has been as they continue the good work that is packaging.
The author, Jane Chase, is newly retired as the Executive Director of IoPP. She has more than 40 years in the packaging industry and 30-plus years in various leadership capacities with IoPP. In addition to being a Certified Packaging Professional Lifetime and an IoPP Fellow, she is a member of the Packaging & Processing Hall of Fame. For more information on IoPP and its career-building programs, visit www.iopp.org or email [email protected].
