One of the departments that makes Miami University stand out compared to other colleges is its Paper Engineering program. This program has been around since 1957, originally starting out as a major. In 1960, the Paper Science & Engineering Foundation (PSEF) was founded to provide support to Miami’s students with scholarships, laboratory equipment, and career development. Over the years, the major has now become a minor that continues to support students in powerful ways.  

Miami University students have chosen the Paper Engineering minor for a variety of reasons. Mechanical Engineering major Emma Krabbe states she chose the minor because she “liked the sustainability aspect of the paper industry, 100% job placement, and one of the highest starting salaries in the entire college.” The minor also gives students with a GPA above 3.0 the opportunity to receive PSEF scholarships. 

Students within the minor are involved with the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI). “TAPPI has helped continuously," said Chemical Engineering major and Paper Engineering minor Kate Ross, "with making college more affordable and with professional development that I wouldn't have gotten elsewhere.” 

Professional development is a major focus within the Paper Engineering minor and within TAPPI. Every year before Miami University's career fair, TAPPI invites paper companies to talk to Miami University students about internships and job opportunities. Emma described the PSEF Pre-Night Networking event as “a more relaxed ‘speed dating’ type event.” TAPPI members also attend the TAPPI Student Summit, which is a national conference that lets paper students meet with each other as well as industry representatives. These opportunities make finding a job that is both lucrative and engaging a possibility for all students with the minor. “My favorite part of the Paper Engineering minor is the job security,”said Kate. “As a senior, I am not nearly as stressed out as some of my senior peers who aren't in the minor.”

Emma has also been able to secure a job because of the Paper Engineering minor and the Systems Automation Springboard to Internships workshop (SASI) which is offered through Miami University. She will be starting as an Automation Engineer with Voith Paper, the company with which she had previously interned. Emma says this opportunity is “the best job ever" because "it helps me balance my work with my life while still allowing me to travel occasionally and get professional experience in a paper mill,” said Emma.