What Young Professionals Need

By embracing a new generation of young professionals, our industry is growing stronger and more sustainable. This article has been excerpted from the upcoming Sep/Oct 2026 issue of TAPPI’s Paper360° magazine and is being shared here as a special “sneak peek” for AOTC readers. Access the complete article and more at TAPPI’s new OnDemand platform.

That “silver tsunami” we’ve been hearing about for the past decade? That’s no longer a warning—it’s a reality that is shaping the face of not only the pulp, paper, and packaging (PP&P) sectors, but the entire manufacturing space. That’s actually a good thing: it means companies are taking workforce issues seriously and changing (sometimes reluctantly) accepted standards to better attract, train, and keep the best and brightest workers.

“Attracting and retaining talent” was the primary business challenge indicated by more than 44 percent of respondents, according to the Q1 2026 Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). NAM predicts that manufacturing industries, including PP&P, will need as many as 3.8 million new employees by 2033, which means we need to attract students attending high schools and universities today.

We reached out to a few of the young leaders already changing mills across the country and asked them directly how they got here, what will make them stay, and what they see ahead for their own careers. Here are just a few of their answers; look for more in the Sep/Oct issue of Paper360°. 

Paper360°: How did you “discover” the pulp, paper, and/or packaging industry? What should companies be doing to help others discover our industry?

Response provided by Charlie Fromm, commercial manager – North America at Eldorado Brasil Celulose S/A, transitioning to a new role as sales manager at Ekman:

“I discovered the pulp and paper industry when two students from Western Michigan University’s paper engineering program visited my high school. They described the hands-on nature of the work, the value of learning on the job, and the scholarships available through the Paper Technology Foundation, which were essential to my ability to afford college.

“Our industry should continue reaching out to high school students who enjoy engineering but may be uncertain about their career path. Scholarships remain one of our strongest recruiting tools. My classmates and I often say, “We entered the industry for the scholarships and job security—we stayed because of the people and the opportunities.”

Paper360°: Do you see yourself staying in PP&P long-term? Why or why not?

Response provided by Bryanna Lawry, a remote process engineer for Georgia-Pacific and member of the Society of Women Engineers:

“Yes, I absolutely see myself staying in the industry long-term. Only two years into my career, I’m making a significant transition from a data-driven corporate engineering role into an operations role at a manufacturing facility. I could not be more excited about the opportunity.

“Georgia-Pacific’s Principle-Based Management culture encourages me to identify my interests in the industry and apply them to my role, which I find fulfilling. What makes this move especially meaningful is that it was encouraged by supervisors and mentors who saw potential in me and challenged me to keep growing. I am deeply motivated by the chance to contribute—helping my team succeed, improving our processes, and making a positive impact through my work. As an early-career engineer, being in an environment that values and invests in my development, and encourages me to step outside my comfort zone, is invaluable.

“I am passionate about continually developing my skills, learning new things, and realizing my potential—not just for my own fulfillment, but to deliver meaningful results for others. That combination of meaningful work, strong relationships, and opportunities for growth is what keeps me excited about a long-term career in PP&P.” 

Paper360°: What did you learn in school that has been the biggest asset to your professional life? How can schools make sure that all students have this preparation?

Response provided by Evan Morris,  a research scientist at Sappi NA who holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Chemical Engineering and Paper Science Engineering from NCSU:

“The most important thing I learned in school was the ability to communicate complex ideas to all different kinds of people. It takes a village to run a company, and being able to understand the standpoint and motivations of people in other departments of your workplace is key to driving results in a positive manner. No one likes to feel embarrassed or steamrolled when they have a conflicting opinion, so it’s important to foster a culture where all opinions are considered when working together on a project. This is done by working collaboratively with those other departments and addressing conflicting views with both sides explaining their reasoning, then deciding on the best path forward for the business.

“I think schools could consider some inter-departmental type projects, where each team member has their own priorities and opinions, and they need to work with other team members to compromise on a solution for a given problem.”

Paper360°: Ideally, where do you see your PP&P career in five years? In ten or more years? How can your company best support these goals?

Response provided by Charlie Fromm:

“After beginning my career in manufacturing and process engineering roles, I have moved toward the technical and commercial side of the industry. Over the next five years, I hope to develop a more global focus and help emerging markets increase their use of pulp, paper, and packaging as alternatives to less sustainable materials.

“In ten years, I would like to be in a leadership position where I can take a broader view of the industry’s growth, develop new markets, and mentor the next generation of engineers and commercial leaders. Companies can support these goals by providing international exposure, meaningful development opportunities, mentorship, and the freedom to take on increasingly complex responsibilities.”

Paper360°: What is most exciting to you about the future of PP&P? What can our industry do to help make that vision come true for young professionals?

Response provided by Tali Horst, millwide coordinator for International Paper and graduate of North Carolina State University:

“I’m excited to continue seeing the innovations in cellulosic product development. It’s important that PP&P companies continue exploring opportunities to replace non-renewable materials. It’s always cool to read about research that’d being done globally and shared in journals like BioResources and Paper360°. Companies can fund research directly or indirectly; as companies prioritize sustainable forest management and consider environmental impact during capital allocation, innovation will follow.”