Matthew Kearney

Hello, my name is Matthew Kearney. I am a Senior undergraduate student at Virginia Tech, expecting to graduate in May 2024. My field of study is Packaging Systems and Design with a minor in Industrial Design. I am in search of a full time position in the packaging field where I can put my classroom, internship and research experience to work. The packaging field interests me because of its wide application and our increasing need for sustainable, innovative solutions. I enjoy designing and hands-on work, and am always eager to learn more and gain new experience.

I have worked as a Packaging Engineer in an 8-month co-op at Axalta Coating Systems. There, my responsibilities included developing specifications for packages used by Axalta, testing new packaging solutions on our equipment, qualifying new vendors, quality control, vendor relations, project management. 

I am also currently engaged in undergraduate research at the Virginia Tech center for Packaging and Unit Load Design, taking part in research to benchmark and test current e-commerce packaging solutions for a large electronics manufacturer according to ISTA Amazon standards. The results of testing will help us redesign the packaging to make it 100% curbside recyclable by replacing the protective foam bags and inserts with sustainable materials.

I am a senior undergraduate at Virginia Tech with an expected graduation in May 2024. I am majoring in Packaging Systems and Design, with a minor in Industrial Design. I have an in major GPA of 3.85; with a cumulative GPA of 3.54. I made Dean’s List Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022

Relevant Coursework taken: Principles of Packaging, CAD in Packaging, Paper and Paperboard Packaging, Packaging Polymers and Production, Packaging Distribution Systems, Food and Healthcare Packaging, Packaging Design for Global Distribution

Skills: Proficient in Esko ArtiosCAD, Adobe Illustrator, CAPE Pack, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint