1. What is Paper Science and Engineering?

   • Paper Science and Engineering is a Bachelor of Science degree program similar to Chemical Engineering in many aspects. Because this is a chemical process-based industry using renewable resources, major focus is on applying the first principles of Chemical Engineering to the manufacture of pulp and paper products.
   • The Co-op and Summer Intern programs give students experience early on to the challenge of producing a product that is seen and used everywhere in the world:
     • Over 270 million tons per year worldwide
     • More than 90 million tons per year in the U.S.. alone
     • As the gross national product of a country increase, independent of politics, so does the need and use of paper. Much of it can be recycled and reused.
     • Imagine a day in your life without paper or paper products!
2. Where do we work? What is the job placement of graduates like?
   • U.S.. pulp and paper mills are located in a majority of U.S.. states and graduates go where these mills are located. If trees are the raw materials, then the mills are where the forest resources base is located. Other mills use 100% waste paper as a source of fiber and these tend to be near the centers of population. Graduates also work for companies selling chemicals, equipment, and process control systems to the industry. These companies often are located near mills or in a metropolitan area with convenient access to transportation facilities. Travel is an integral part of their job assignments.
   • Placement of our graduates has been historically very high (100% for the past 11 academic years). Some students decide to continue their education in graduate school before accepting a full-time permanent position.
   
   

3. What do graduates typically do on the job?
   • Graduates often have diverse experiences in their first permanent position. These can depend on the exact nature of the company's business and needs.
     • Typically, the first assignment is working as part of a team who are assigned a specific project. This position might be titled Process Engineer.
     • Installation of new equipment and start-ups of new processes are other challenging assignment
   • Graduates working in sales and service will call on many different pulp and paper mills in a variety of geographic locations depending on a number of factors:
     • The size of the sales force
     • Business development strategy
   • Young engineers who accept these positions like to travel and enjoy dealing with people in diverse locations.
   
   

4. Do we have other career options?

   • Career options are quite varied, depending on the individual's skills, interests, ambition, desire for advancement, willingness to accept additional responsibility. How fast you are promoted and how far up the corporate ladder you climb is reflected in the early interests of each individual.

     One Career Path (over 15-20 Years)Project Engineer ----> Paper Machine Supervisor ----> Assistant
     Production Supervisor----> Production Manager ----> Pulp Mill
     Supervisor ----> Assistant Mill Manager ----> Mill Manager ----> V.P..
     Manufacturing

   • Corporate recruiters are looking for skills and expertise in four noteworthy areas:
     • Demonstrated ability to learn and continue learning, and a commitment to life-long learning.
     • Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems.
     • Ability to work with diverse people in a team setting and willingness to accept responsibility in this environment.
     • Goal oriented and demonstrated ability to get the job accomplished in a finite time.