Inspiring Graduate: Elaina Marxen (’25)
- Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota
- Degree: B.S. Packaging
- Minors: Global Perspectives on Engineering; Graphic Media & Print Management
Hoping to contribute to sustainability efforts and consumer experience, Elaina Marxen was hired before graduation as a research and development packaging engineer with Post Consumer Brands.
“Packaging is continuously evolving and growing,” she said. “I want to contribute and grow with the industry to make positive impacts in the world and people’s lives.”
After completing two internships and studying abroad twice in Germany and Thailand, Marxen, of Rochester, Minnesota, graduated magna cum laude, earning her bachelor’s in packaging and two minors on May 10, along with 1,174 UW-Stout graduates.
“It took me five years to complete my degree, but Stout embraces the nontraditionality,” Marxen said.
“When talking to people who do not attend Stout, the four-year track seems expected and pushed. Stout never felt like that. Stout encourages hands-on learning, co-ops that may require taking a semester off, research, and many other opportunities because it’s about the quality of the education, not the cookie-cutter road.”
How has UW-Stout prepared you to work in your field?
Stout provided so many opportunities that prepared me for my field, from labs and projects to my two internships/co-ops.
My design internship with Buckeye Corrugated, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, was probably one of the most rewarding experiences I had. The internship experience let me know that I had picked the correct career path. I also grew as an individual much more than I expected.
My second co-op was at Starbucks, in Seattle, Washington, as a global R&D engineer in the packaging department. I had always wanted to see the West Coast, and this was a perfect opportunity. At the end of this co-op, I knew I had picked the right school.
I was encouraged throughout my time at Stout to complete more than one internship/co-op in different areas of packaging to see what I liked best. Going from a small design team at Buckeye to an R&D team at a large company like Starbucks was a perfect fit to find what I wanted for my future job.
What brought you to UW-Stout?
In short, packaging. I had a teacher in high school who got distracted in class one day talking about her daughter transferring schools. They had toured UW-Stout, and my teacher was telling the class about all the majors and jobs people do that affect everyday life.
Packaging is one of those majors, and packaging engineering is one of those jobs that affect everyday life that people do not realize.
Touring colleges and researching programs, Stout stuck out to me for a few reasons:
- It’s a polytechnic, with career-focused education. Hands-on learning is how I learn the best.
- You pay by the credit, and laptop and textbooks are included in tuition.
- When I toured, I saw the Packaging Lab. Seeing the lab assured me that this program was hands-on and would prepare me for a career.
What stands out about your UW-Stout experience?
My experience at Stout is best described as a “Where’s Waldo” book. I’d text my mom, “Guess what?” She stopped guessing after my second semester and just told me to tell her. These texts or calls included joining clubs, getting an internship, going to Germany and Thailand, getting a co-op, attending Pack-Expo and more. I’ve been busy for the last five years.
Reflecting on what has happened in the last five years, Stout was a great education. I’d like to acknowledge a few of my professors. First, Marya Wilson, who made me feel seen. Second, Dan Hendrickson, who was understanding and helped me stay caught up in class after I was in a car accident. Third, Yee, from my short-term study abroad, bought me a cake as we were traveling over my birthday. This was a moment that stuck out to me that shows how much Stout staff cares.
Finally, all the packaging professors: Min DeGruson, Kate Liu, Mary Paz Alvarez Valverde, Robert Meisner, Gary Borges, and John Scheffler. They were encouraging, always answered questions and went out of their way to help me.
Stout professors want to see students succeed and will go out of their way to help them.
How did your involvement on campus impact your experience?
I was a part of the ASL, Alfresco, Stout Packaging Association, and Rock Climbing clubs and met some of my closest friends. I got into climbing the month before starting college. The culture of climbing is something I love. It is inclusive and supportive of people at all levels.
I think that joining organizations helped me excel in classes and assignments I would have struggled in. At Stout Adventures, I met people in all sorts of majors who had different skill sets. I got help with physics, graphic communication, business and other classes.
For the Flexible Packaging Association’s Student Design Competition, my group won second place with our Puppy Chow Baking Kit. We also won what was an unofficial award at the time for best video. This was a very fun experience to learn and participate in the design process. Making the videos was also an entertaining experience. This competition stuck out to me because of the help along the way. Networking and meeting other people outside of packaging helped my group succeed.
I also received several scholarships: Cindy Finley Memorial Scholarship, Iluminado el Futuro Scholarship, Boston Scientific Scholarship, Packaging Corporation of America, Mayo Clinic Scholarship and the Polytechnic Scholarship.
What challenges did you face in earning your degree and how did you overcome them?
During my co-op at Starbucks, I went on a hike three hours away from Seattle on a day off. I forgot my hiking shoes, so I hiked 8 to 9 miles in my Birkenstocks.
I dealt with challenges while pursuing my degree like I did this hike in horrible shoes: head on and one step at a time.
Financially, I have put myself through college. I worked two off-campus jobs, including as a barista at Caribou. Working as early as 4:30 a.m. had its downfalls, but it let me stay engaged in classes and clubs throughout college. I learned time management very quickly. I do have some student loans, but all subsidized and through FAFSA, which is a major win for me. I believe this was a win because I still attended many opportunities that cost money outside of tuition and room and board.
From COVID, to internships/co-ops, and summer jobs, I have moved a lot in five years. Moving is stressful and definitely a challenge. I lived in four states during this time: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Washington. My mom helped me. Making a system, friends, and making sure to get some lunch after every move was how I got through it.
I was in a car accident last fall. Between doctor appointments, dealing with insurance, applying and interviewing for post-grad jobs, trying to work, maintain my grades and being in my capstone class, I was struggling to stay on top of everything. Working with my professors, taking it day by day, and tapping into UW-Stout’s Student Counseling Center resources was how I got through it. Friends were so supportive and always offered rides while I was looking for a new car.
What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?
Until I took ETECH 100 – typically a freshman or sophomore course – as a fifth-year senior, I did not realize how far I’ve come. Sitting with freshmen and sophomores made me think about what I was like at 18 years old. I would not have expected what I would accomplish and do in the next five years. I am proud to have taken every opportunity I could and to have navigated life the last five crazy years.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
My sister, Autumn Marxen, attends UW-Stout. I remember being so annoyed and upset she chose the university that I chose, but it has served some secret blessings. We are opposites. I am all math, science and sports; she is art, English and photography. Some blessings include being able to help when she has an emergency or calling her when I run out of Nyquil and chicken noodle soup. We can be together and support each other.
Most importantly, she was a resource for the art, video and editing assignments I struggled with. She helped me learn how to use a DSLR camera decently, helped with Adobe Illustrator projects and took photos for my group’s capstone project. It always turned out better when she helped me.
