How did you first get interested in the graphic arts, or decide to focus on graphic communications in school?
My high school never offered any classes in the graphic arts realm until my junior year, that’s when they began a digital video and photoshop class for the first time. I took both classes that year and absolutely loved everything I learned, loved adobe, and started editing everything I could. I stared doing side projects and worked with local businesses and groups to help them design some of their media. I enjoyed it so much I began exploring the different options I’d have if I wanted to go further into the graphic arts with college and that’s how I found the Digital Media Technology program at PennWest California.
Did you take any courses in high school that were related to graphic communications, or that prepared you for your planned career?
Yes, I took a digital video class as well as a photoshop class.
How do you think going through your education process prepared you for the workforce?
I think the work I did through my schools screen printing club helped me a lot. It taught me every part of the processes from designing to physically printing to writing out the receipts, and most importantly how to talk to customers. I joined the Screen Printing Student Association (SPSA) my freshman year and by sophomore year I was helping run the club, I got a job working as a laboratory assistant for Professor Schickel in the DMT department which meant I spent lots of hours in the labs between working, the club, and classes. The club itself introduced me to PGSF (now FGCE) where I got to even go to the printing United alliance conference in Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Orlando and meet tons of professionals in the graphic communications field.
What company are you working for now and what types of products and services do they provide to their customers?
I work at a family company called Bath Pro of Western PA as their director of marketing. They are a bathroom remodeling company that services all over western pa. They offer complete bathroom remodels, tub to shower conversions, ADA Showers and Walk-In Tubs.
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?
I got hired before I graduated which was a big help since I was able to rent an apartment instead of moving home across the state. I was hired in May 2026 with the title Director of Marketing which is still my current title. I design and run the physical marketing ads with various magazines, run the social media accounts, handle the company website, make and run all the digital ads, go to work sights to get content, and track all of the marketing and sales.
What do you think employers are looking for in today’s workforce and the current industry environment?
I think employers are looking for people who actually show up and want to work. I’ve been working since I turned 16 and I haven’t stopped. The longest I was “out of a job” was maybe 2 months during the my freshman year summer but even then I was doing designing for local businesses and door dashing on the side. Employers are looking for people who have that drive and energy and independence but also know how to speak to the customers in their own language (my company’s target audience is in their 40-60s so I’ve had to learn to speak to people twice my age in a way they understand which was a bit challenging but I kept going I didn’t just give up).
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?
Well my “period of time” has been less than 3 months so I can’t say for sure that there’s been any super different. I am using Google excel and google forms more than I thought I’d be to help bring everything organized. I also never pictured myself working with anything remotely related to a shower or toilet or that I’d even know the difference between the types of showers and heights of different toilets but I couldn’t have picked a better place to start my career. The company’s slogan is “we treat you like family because we are one” and everyone I work with has proven that statement true since day one.
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?
When I first started I wanted to teach, then to only do video editing. After that I only wanted to do photoshop and be a graphic designer. Then I only wanted to work in the physical production side. I have been all over the place, but truthfully through out my 4 years of college, 3 different internships, and my various jobs I have been able to try a little bit of everything. I would like to get into the video editing a bit more again but I also love all of the marketing and design components of the job I have now so video editing will be an after work hobby for now!
What do you see yourself doing a few years from now?
I’m not sure yet, right now I’m taking things a day at a time. I living in my own apartment for the first time with my pup, I just opened my first credit card, and I’m trying to explore my new city and make some friends, which for the record has been the hardest part of adulting yet! Adulting is also so crazy expensive!
Over all, I’m happy with the work I’m doing and I’d love to continue working up in the field!
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?
Absolutely, the scholarships I’ve received for the past few years helped me a great deal through my schooling. I didn’t have any college fund when I went to school, I worked part time in high school so I had some savings but everyone knows college is crazy expensive. My freshman year I had two work study jobs, an internship, full course load, and was involved with the university bands and clubs. That was my most stressful year of college. Sophomore year I received my first scholarship from PGSF (FGCE) and with that I was able to cut down to only one work study which freed up time for me to enjoy the “college experience” and not just push through it.
