How did you first get interested in the graphic arts, or decide to focus on graphic communications in school?
I took a graphic communications course my freshmen year of high school that I fell in love with. From taking this class, learned about print early on and started working and interacting with the industry then.
Did you take any courses in high school that were related to graphic communications, or that prepared you for your planned career?
Yes, Graphic Communications 1,2,3 and 4, as well as interning in the course over the summer. I also served as the print lab assistant where I completed jobs to help fund the class and the school district once I rinsed the classes but before I graduated. This was like a work-study option that was created.
How do you think going through your education process prepared you for the workforce?
I was exposed to the background of printing through my classes. When I started may college career, I made it my kind of mission to explore all of the print industry that I could. From this desire to learn, and the opportunities I had to be a teaching assistant in the specialized classes, I felt like I was ready to troubleshoot any position I was offered.
What company are you working for now and what types of products and services do they provide to their customers?
I currently work at The Olberding Brand Family in the color services department. We provide pre-press, creative, adaptive, and plate making services for brands all over in all types of industries aside from ours.
What job did you first have with the company when you started, what position do you have now, and/or what else have you done since joining the company?
When I first started, I was a color analyst on over half of the brands we work with. I provided daily deliverables and review as needed. Today, I am a color manager , acting as the point of contact on my team for 4 of the brands, while still working on deliverables and acting as a backup across in the department as needed.
What do you think employers are looking for in today’s workforce and the current industry environment?
I think employers are look gin for individuals who are ready to learn and be trained. Many of the people who hold knowledge in the print industry are starting to retire, which means we need people to fill in the gaps and learn from them. The industry is also going through a change as much of the world is in what technology we have. This is leading to a need for more tech savvy individuals that understand what brands need and how to push it through all aspect of the industry. Showing you can learn is a great way to stand out and go far.
Is there anything that you have found to be particularly different from what you initially expected, now that you’ve progressed through your work career for a period of time?
I feel I am lucky in where landed. I picked a job that was far out of my comfort one with the knowledge that I was going to start at the bottom and have to learn to get to where I wanted to be. I would say that I’m seeing more and more about how much having an education in graphics and print can really push you in this industry, as many people do not have that background. It has pushed me forward more times than I can count.
Have you changed your plans or ideas about what area or type of job you might like to have since you first considered the graphic communications field and began studying for a career in it? What led to those changes?
I think so. At first I wanted to actually work on presses as an operator because I love actually working with my hands. After I went through the Graphic Communications program at Clemson, I realized that that position wasn’t going to let me use the knowledge I had, and wouldn’t be as challenging as I wanted. I ended up choosing color services because it was different and almost felt like a taboo subject when I it was brought up in my classes.
What do you see yourself doing a few years from now?
I would love to still be working at OBF expanding more into the color services team and the company. I would also love to find a way to spread Graphic Communications to the younger generation in my area. I think this needs to be. more obtainable path for people, whether through High school, college, or trade schools. if people don’t know about it, the industry can’t grow.
Was being a recipient of a PGSF (now The Foundation for Graphic Communication
Education) scholarship important for your journey, or did it have an impact on your future or ability to succeed in the industry?
I was very used to working to make sure I could cover all of my expenses needed while in school. My parents always provided for me but I didn’t want to have to ask them to give anymore than they already were. When I received the formerly named PGSF scholarship, it was such a weight taken off of my senior year. It gave me the ability to focus more on my classes, looking for a job in the industry, and getting ready for my future.
