Created in 2003 by Jay Pack and the Produce Marketing Association, the original Pack Family Career Pathways Program brought the first group of top agriculture and food marketing students and faculty from universities across the country to PMA's Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition for a unique introduction to the fresh produce industry.

Expanded in 2008, the Career Pathways Programs now also include three regional programs held in conjunction with the PMA Foodservice Conference & Exposition, the New England Produce Council, and the Fresh Produce & Floral Council.

Each Career Pathways program provides students with mentoring, education and networking time including things such as customized educational workshops on industry specific topics, a personal branding session and a career path discussion panel with industry leaders. Students are provided with numerous opportunities to network with industry professionals at all levels of their career and walk the exposition floor.

An industry mentor is assigned to each student to answer questions, introduce them to other industry professionals and simply help them embrace the myriad of opportunities and rewards the produce industry has to offer. Students are given pre-conference assignments to help them prepare for the event and add more value to the learning experience.

In each program, the schools are hand-selected for participation in the program to not only maintain a manageable and successful experience each year, but to also create an intimate environment that fosters personal development and camaraderie.

The Pack Family Career Pathways Program continues to be made possible by the Jay and Ruth Pack Family Foundation and Produce Marketing Association. To date, 256 students have participated in the Pack Family Career Pathways Program. 160 students have since graduated and 75 took their first job or internship in the produce industry.

Pack Family Career Pathways participating schools include:

• Arizona State University
• Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
• Cornell University
• Michigan State University
• St. Joseph's University
• Texas A&M
• UC Davis
• University of Florida
• Pontifícia Universidad Católica de Chile (Chile)
• The University of Queensland (Australia)
• University of Stellenbosch (South Africa)
• University of Pretoria (South Africa)
• University of Syndey (Australia)

Learn more about each of the Regional Career Pathways Programs: