2.1 million manufacturing positions will go unfulfilled by 2030, according to a study conducted by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute.
The PMMI Foundation, the charitable non-profit branch of the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, is dedicated to nurturing the future workforce of the packaging and processing industry by offering academic scholarships to students passionate about pursuing careers in this vital field. Today, we are proud to celebrate Christian Hall, Finance & Business Analyst at Felins, as he achieves an exceptional milestone: winning the PMMI Foundation scholarship for two second consecutive years in 2024 and 2025.
Christian’s story is one of self-discovery, resilience, and the power of community support. Nearly eight years ago, Christian left university and began his career at Starbucks, firmly deciding that “school just isn’t for me.” He dedicated himself to his work, pushing aside any thoughts of returning to the college path. However, an unexpected spark of inspiration ignited during a casual afternoon espresso break with colleagues, setting the stage for a remarkable transformation.
In a heartfelt message on his LinkedIn page, Christian shared his journey:
“I was quite literally petrified to try and make any career shifts before finding my current role because every job listing was plastered with ‘Bachelor's Degree Required’ or ‘MBA and CPA required with 10 years' experience.’ But when I started at Felins, I was welcomed by a team who embraced me and celebrated me for my achievements despite not having a degree. I thought my worth was much less because I didn’t have a degree, but I’ve come to be empowered by my new colleagues and along the way they’ve inspired me to continue growing.”
Fueled by the desire to invest in himself, he made the courageous decision to return to school. He is now continuing his education at Milwaukee Area Technical College, where he has excelled academically—earning him the PMMI Foundation scholarship for both 2024 and 2025.
Christian’s story is a testament to the fact that the right environment and supportive colleagues can transform one’s life. At Felins, Christian found a community that valued his skills and potential over formal qualifications. This newfound confidence and empowerment spurred him to explore new avenues, eventually discovering a passion for accounting.
“It feels like this is only just the start, and in order for me to keep running with this, I am discovering new desires to reinvest in myself and this new found love for the Finance & Business world.”
Felins is proud to support Christian Hall in his pursuit of a degree, embodying one of our core values:
AIM FORWARD – Create, innovate, continuously improve and excel personally and as a team.
Christian’s story is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to pursue your passions and that with the right support, anything is possible.
Christian shares his gratitude and says, “As if the idea of going back to school after being away for a number of years isn’t scary enough—you have to think about paying for it too! I am beyond thankful and so honored to have been chosen as a recipient of the PMMI Member Family Scholarship! Without the connection my employer, Felins, has with PMMI, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue this incredible opportunity.”
Congratulations, Christian, on this well-deserved recognition—again! We look forward to witnessing your continued growth and success in the packaging and processing industry.
About Felins: With a team of dedicated professionals and a complete offering of sustainable packaging solutions, Felins’ team is inspired to create innovative alternatives because every packaging decision should help, not hurt, our planet. For more information, visit https://felins.com/
