ETSU x Eastman: Elevating Students to Go Beyond

  • Transcript

    Kim Greene
    HR Manager at Eastman

    I grew up in Johnson City, and I initially thought, "I'm going to get away from the Tri-Cities, where I'm going to go have the college experience."

    And so I actually toured several other colleges in Tennessee.

    And I thought, "You know, I'm going to tour ETSU.

    I've heard they have a great College of Business and Technology."

    And I stepped on campus, and I knew right away, "This is where I want to spend the next four years."

    Joshua Trimm
    Software Engineer at Eastman

    Being the first person in my family to get a college degree, ETSU really took the time to help develop me and gave all the resources I needed.

    Jeremy Collins
    Treasury Analyst at Eastman

    My advice to any first-generation college student is, "Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to reach out because someone will have the answer."

    My twin brother and I both decided to go into the business program, and more specifically, the accounting program, and it has opened up many opportunities for us.

    Joshua Trimm
    Software Engineer at Eastman

    I think having somebody, a mentor, to where they say, "I think you can do this," even when you don't is a big deal. 

    Jeremy Collins
    Treasury Analyst at Eastman

    The single faculty member who had the biggest impact would be Melinda LaPrade. She is the College of Business and Technology internship coordinator, and without the internship and without her, I don't know if I would be in the opportunities I would be in today.

    Kim Greene
    HR Manager at Eastman

    The combination of being on campus, being involved, really great College of Business and Technology, that's why it was the right fit for me.

    Succeeding at ETSU and now at Eastman is incredibly impactful for me.

    I consider myself a third-generation Eastman employee.

    Joshua Trimm
    Software Engineer at Eastman

    Starting out as a software engineer has been great, but my mentors have really tried to guide me and to help me evaluate what career path I want.

    Jeremy Collins
    Treasury Analyst at Eastman

    I think the thing I love most about my job at Eastman is that no day is the same.

    The networking Eastman allows you to do plays a huge role in building relationships.

    Kim Greene
    HR Manager at Eastman

    The advice I would give for individuals looking to pursue a career like I have?

    It would be to get involved, build relationships, build connections.

    They can all create pathways to the place that you're wanting to go.

    Joshua Trimm
    Software Engineer at Eastman

    As a first-generation college student, you will learn, it's not about me; it's about, it's about the legacy that you start to leave for your family.

    My brother has moved from Charlottesville, Virginia, down here to kind of follow in my footsteps. So I've been able to start influencing others within my family and help them.

    Kim Greene
    HR Manager at Eastman

    My father worked inside the gates here at Eastman, and my grandfather worked here for 30 years.

    This is the question I'm most passionate about, and I'm not even going to get through it. I remember growing up and seeing his hard hats, and just being so proud of him. And then I got my hard hat a couple of years ago.

    That was powerful and meaningful to me. Now I'm following in his footsteps and working at a wonderful company like Eastman.

    Jeremy Collins
    Treasury Analyst at Eastman

    My single biggest takeaway from ETSU is to get involved.

    If you sit on the sidelines, you're missing out on so many opportunities.

    When you walk across the stage and you hear your name called, and you have the little section of fans cheering because they never got that same opportunity, it makes you put in perspective how important it is to not only you, but how important it is to the people around you to see you be successful.

ETSU and businesses like Eastman are committed to launching careers and creating real-world opportunities. That multiplier effect in workforce growth is resonating throughout the Appalachian Highlands.

It isn't just about classroom education; it's about launching careers and creating real-world opportunities extending far beyond graduation. ETSU and local businesses are creating a multiplier effect in workforce growth that’s resonating throughout the Appalachian Highlands.  

Eastman is committed to developing groundbreaking solutions to the world’s challenges and improving the quality of life for consumers. Eastman’s innovations are driven with a specific goal in mind – to create specialty materials using sustainable manufacturing processes while collaborating with partners around the globe solve tomorrow’s challenges. 

Explore the journeys of some exceptional ETSU graduates who are among Eastman’s 14,000 employees committed to enhancing the quality of life for generations to come!

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East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.