Abi Smrz, junior, Plymouth, Wisconsin

When Abi Smrz found out UW-Stevens Point had added chemical engineering as a major, she applied a few days later.

"Chemical engineering sounded fun and interesting to me," she said. "Then I met Dr. B (Professor Karyn Biasca) and she talked to me about also majoring in paper science and engineering and all the career opportunities it offered. I signed up and fell in love with it."

Students who major in both programs add just a few more classes, and work on the largest and fastest academic, student-run paper machine in the world. "Not many students can say they have worked on a paper machine and employers value that," she said. "Students in the department have a 100 percent placement."

"Now that I've completed a co-op in a local paper mill, I can see myself having a career in production or as a chemical vendor in the paper industry."​

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