Alumni Spotlight: Jacob Darius, ’22

08/04/2022

After graduating high school, Jacob Darius, '22, didn't have a strong sense of what he wanted to do. When he first got to college, he faced some academic challenges and ending up dropping out. He returned home and enrolled at Onondaga Community College for a fresh start. With the help of his family, he got back on track. While there, a friend told him about the Paper Engineering program at ESF and—thinking it sounded like an interesting opportunity—he decided to transfer. Nearly 40% of ESF students are transfers, but Jacob came at a particularly difficult time: during the pandemic.

"The first year of the program was a challenge between doing classes remote and handling some of the math requirements," he said. But with hard work and persistence, Jacob was able to not only get back on track academically, but thrive.

Through the Paper Engineering program, Jacob secured a 12-week paid internship at Cascades Containerboard to gain valuable field experience, financial benefits, and course credit. By graduation, he had made connections with employers in the field, and within two months of earning his degree, was offered a full-time job with Kimberly-Clark, which supplies the base materials to make Kleenex.

Jacob credits everyone in the Paper Engineering program with helping him succeed. Their support helped him get through the program and land the job he is in today.

We're wishing you continued luck and success, Jacob!

Learn more about the Paper Engineering program and keep up with all alumni like Jacob by joining the ESF Alumni Association.