IT Co-Op Summer 2026

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers - large and small - package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.

People * Customers * Trust

The Software Developer co-op will work with our local IT staff and corporate application development team, and will be responsible for assisting with the development, testing, deployment, and quality assurance of various business applications. In this role, you will work on requirements gathering, data mapping and conversion, custom coding, and testing.

This position will be for Summer 2026 semesters.

Principle Accountabilities:

Work with development staff to assist with the building and testing of application programs.

Coding, quality assurance, testing, report writing.

Basic Qualifications:

A minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0 is required.

Must be a permanent U.S. resident, requiring no sponsorship.

The successful candidate currently attending a participating University (Mississippi State University, The University of Mississippi, Auburn University, University of Alabama, University of South Alabama, University of Maine, University of North Carolina State, University of Miami Ohio, Georgia Tech) in their sophomore year pursing a degree in Computer Science/ CIS or equivalent program

Certifications are a plus. CompTIA's A+, Network+, or Security+ are preferred.

Experience using Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Project, and AutoCAD.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in programming and web development, especially working with Microsoft .NET framework, VB.NET/C#, ASP.NET, CSS, and javascript

Experience with MS SQL Server, MS Visual Studio, MS Office, and MS Report Builder

The successful candidate must possess the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Ability to be able to work well under pressure and within time constraints, multi-task, and build sound relationships with both internal and external customers.

Ability to exhibit excellent communication, analytical, organizational, and computer skills.

Capable of independently making sound decisions through creative problem solving, ambiguity, and change.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple requests simultaneously.

Ability to read and understand technical correspondence, memos, instructions, and reports.

Ability to apply skills to continuous process improvement while maintaining maximum levels of safety.

Demonstrated leadership skills and abilities.

Strong planning and follow up skills.

Excellent people and process management skills.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Starting salary range for position:
  
  
  
  
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      • Sophomore status: $18.00 per hour
      • Junior status: $21.00 per hour
      • Senior status: $24.00 per hour
      
      
      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  
  

  **Minimum age requirement of 18 years

  
  

• Paid Holidays.
• Within the first 30 days of employment, an employee (and their dependents) is eligible to enroll in certain benefit coverages -- medical, dental, and vision - and are automatically enrolled in life, AD&D, and disability coverages.
• Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre-tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions.
• Disclaimer: The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA's good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified Applicants must apply at careers.packagingcorp.com to be considered.