ATLANTA, Ga. – The technical program planning committee is seeking speakers for the upcoming TAPPI/PIMA Student Summit. Student Summit will take place Jan. 16-18, 2016, in Portland, Maine.

Presentations are being organized around the book “10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College” by Bill Coplin. The list of critical skill sets for college students to learn as they prepare for accepting jobs upon graduation is:

1. Taking responsibility (personal motivation, ethics, personal management)

2. Developing physical skills (maintaining health, keyboarding and handwriting)

3. Communicating verbally (one-on-one and group presentations)

4. Communicating in writing (writing well, editing and proofing skills, word processing)

5. Working directly with people (building relationships, working in teams, teaching others)

6. Influencing people (managing, selling, politicking, leading)

7. Gathering information (web searches, libraries, commercial databases, keep and use records)

8. Using quantitative tools (using numbers, graphs and tables, and spreadsheet programs)

9. Asking and answering the right questions (pay attention to detail, apply knowledge)

10. Solving problems (identifying problems, developing and implementing solutions)

TAPPI is seeking presentations/panelists to fit within these 10 skills. As specific examples, presentations could be on:

• The role of social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.) in modern job searches

• Implementing disruptive technology (case studies)

• Economic analysis of mill changes (case studies)

• Career path to management (personal story)

• Interviewing and skills-based interviews

• How to make effective presentations

• Business analysis tools (e.g., FisherSolve™)

• Working with and for suppliers

• Effective writing (not English 101)

• Interpreting job offers (they’re more than a salary)

• Mill data systems and how to use them effectively

• Mill personnel structure and the importance of relationships / working in teams

The Student Summit technical committee is also looking for Young Professionals for two panel discussions:

• What to expect from the “real world”; transitions from school to career (recent graduates)

• How to get the most out of summer internships (seniors)

If you are interested in speaking or being a panelist, please contact:

• Gary Scott ([email protected] , 315-470-6523)

• Jon Kerr ([email protected], 513-256-8536)

The TAPPI/PIMA Student Summit is an annual event designed for students interested in the pulp, paper, packaging and allied industries. It offers direct interaction with industry leaders as well as the opportunity to gain valuable information about employment and career development within their field.