Women in Packaging: Melissa Bosnyak, Product Manager for Sustainable Packaging Solutions, Videojet Technologies

What was your first job in packaging? What made you stay in the industry?

I fell into the packaging industry by accident. Fresh out of college with a chemistry degree, I didn’t exactly know what I wanted to do, but knew I wanted to work with regulations.

In Spring of 2017, I started my first job at Videojet, a global leader in coding, marking, and printing solutions. Videojet exemplifies one of the many facets of the packaging industry that often go unnoticed until you’re immersed in it.

Of course, I’d seen a “best before” date on a product before, but not until I started working at Videojet did I know that there were entire companies dedicated to creating the ink, lasers, and printers that produce those codes. Videojet opened my eyes to the complexity and importance of such a business—and to the deep satisfaction that comes from crafting a product so intuitive, it becomes seamlessly integrated and nearly invisible.

My love for the industry only grew as I began exploring how our solutions interact with the surge of innovative sustainable packaging products entering the market. Stepping into the realm of sustainable packaging felt like unlocking the door to another universe.

I’ll never forget my first sustainable packaging conference at the Packaging Recycling Summit in Anaheim, California. In a room of strangers, I’d never felt so united with a group of people all serving to better the packaging industry and the planet. They understood the complexity that drives the creation of better solutions and weren’t afraid to collaborate with industry peers as it is the only way forward. I joined for the positive impact and stayed to collaborate and solve really challenging problems together.    

Why are women important in packaging?

Every person brings their own perspective and ideas to the table. Only when there are diverse thoughts and open space do the best ideas come forward. Each person’s experience is valid – and why wouldn’t we want every person’s mind on a subject such as packaging? There are still so many innovative areas to discover in this space. Having a diverse slate of people working the case is the best way to move forward.

How can we get young women and girls interested and excited about a career in packaging?

“You can’t be what you can’t see.” – Marian Wright Edelman

Introducing young people to what awaits them in the packaging industry is the best way to spark the possibility in their minds of the career they could pursue in packaging. Much like my own experience, I did not know what was really possible until I stumbled in and found my footing. Also, expressing the wide range of functions within the packaging industry gives endless opportunities to find what each person does best and will love. You can be strong in communication, physics, sales, graphic design, or waste management, and find your place in this industry. I love seeing more packaging-specific collegiate programs, like the University of Wisconsin’s, that give real-world experience to young professionals looking to get serious about a career in packaging. 

Why aren’t there more women in the packaging industry?

There are macro and micro reasons this could be true. The number of women in the packaging-related workforce is lower than the general workforce split, but with the packaging industry evolving each year, I see so much potential for growth in diversity in this industry.  

Much like engaging younger generations, it starts with exposing them to what’s possible. With so many avenues to choose from in the field, showing the range of possibilities and introducing specific packaging careers early can help younger professional women gain access to the field.  

Another important factor is keeping women in the packaging industry. Giving them the autonomy to work in ways that best fits their day, investing in their careers, or simply asking what they need to improve their experience are just some of the ways we can not only make sure women join, but also stay in the packaging industry.

What has been the most significant barrier in your career in packaging?

The most significant barrier in my packaging career has been trying to find my place in it. With so many players, role options, and focus areas, it was a challenge to identify where exactly I fit in—and to make sure the work I do truly matters. 

As an impact-motivated worker, I want to make sure what I do matters. After going back to school for my Masters in Sustainable Management, I saw a clearer vision of where I can best serve the industry at my current organization. As companies shift toward more sustainable packaging choices, Videojet must ensure we have reliable marking and coding solutions that perform well on these new materials. Not all packaging materials are treated equally—and the same is true for marking and coding solutions. 

Preparing our entire portfolio for these changes has become mission-critical for me. If our solutions aren’t ready, our customers can’t move forward—especially when the information our solutions print may be legally required. We cannot be the barrier to adopting more sustainable packaging materials. 

So, while a seemingly small aspect of packaging as a whole, coding and marking solutions play an essential role in ensuring the continued adoption of sustainable packaging. Beyond date codes and lot code marking, we are exploring how 2D code printing can enhance the circularity of packaging and what role we play here. The unknown is the barrier, and the exploration of finding my space is the motivation I need to bridge the gap. 

How can women support other women?

Women can start supporting one another by simply showing up. Whether it is sending a quick supporting message when they’re about to give a big presentation, encouraging them to go for that new role, or being there in hard times. 

For a long time, we have been made to believe we are all in competition for a single seat at the table. The sooner we can leave this old ideology behind, the sooner we will see how much resentment and comparisons have been holding us back. Relationships are deeper and more nourishing when all we want is the best for someone else—and mean it. Empowered women empower women.

Any advice on how to find a mentor?

I cannot stress enough the importance of finding mentors throughout your career. I would recommend building your own board of directors for your career. Have a diverse group of mentors who will challenge you, be your hype person, give it to you straight, motivate you to achieve, and one you can always turn to in hard times. Having someone in your corner who believes in you will change everything.  

If you are new in your career and don’t know where to start on finding a mentor, take yourself out of your comfort zone. I know that can seem scary, but all the best things happen when you take a step out of your bubble.  

Take opportunities within your company to be on projects that you wouldn’t normally do. Email someone who you think has a role you would like and have lunch with them, or if your company has them, join an affinity group. If they do not, create the first one to get to know others within the company and be visible to those who would not normally interact with you. 

My company’s Women and Friends Affinity Group was how I found my first mentor—and that relationship opened the door to endless opportunities for growth and guidance on navigating my career while being true to myself. Already having something in common, like making Videojet a place where all can succeed and be themselves, was the spark we needed to cross paths and begin years of mentorship. 

Do not let the fear of formality get in the way of why you are looking for a mentor.  Mentors don’t all need to be executives of a company. Some of my best mentors are peers, or best friends since elementary school. It is about the relationship you have, and how you can both learn from one another to develop and grow into who you want to be!

What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?

Keep going. Every random project, lunch with an acquaintance, chat with a stranger, or meeting you feel you did not belong in, can give you the community and opportunities you need to get you where you want to be.

You know more than you think, are stronger than you believe, and are wildly capable of much more than you give yourself credit for. Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you from trying something new or outside of your comfort zone. Some of the best things that will happen to you will occur when you take a step outside of your normal.

I’d also tell myself, “Without your continued pursuit for making the most out of your career, fighting for your own development, and going back to school after verbally stating on multiple occasions you would never go back, we made it here! One day, your manager will tell you that you do not have to keep proving you deserve the position you’re in, and you’ll believe them because you know your persistence, patience, and the community you helped build made it possible.”