How did you first get interested in the graphic arts, or decide to focus on graphic communications in school?.
I loved that there were different career paths under the graphic communications umbrella and I wasn’t just going to get piegon-holed into one career. Especially fresh out of high school, I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do, but I loved how both creative and technical graphic communications was, and figured it was a good fit for me!
Did you take any courses in high school that were related to graphic communications, or that prepared you for your planned career?
None!
How do you think going through your education process prepared you for the workforce?
I am super appreciative for everything RIT and the Dept of Packaging and Graphic Media Sciences offered. RIT’s Print and Graphic Media Sciences program was small, but that meant we got super close with our professors and fellow classmates. Our professors were super invested in us and our success. They recognized our strengths and provided us opportunities to exercise our skills in a practical manner. Whether that be offering us lab tech positions, or graphic design opportunities, I really could not have done it without them. Also, with RIT requiring our program to do two co-ops, I was able to get real world work experience, which helped prepare me for full-time work and also helped me solidify what I wanted to do in my career. I owe everything to RIT and the Packaging and Graphic Media Science program!
What company are you working for now and what types of products and services do they provide to their customers?
Golden Touch | Fashion Design Company
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 am currently an Associate CAD/Graphic Designer and I started within the last year, so I am still getting my feet wet!
What do you think employers are looking for in today’s workforce and the current industry environment?
Tenacious, dedicated, hard-working individuals. Also, generally pleasant people to work with. If you show that you want to be there, have goals in mind, and are easy to work with, you will be fine. Also, be receptive to feedback and always say thank you.
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?
Definitely. I had an idea of the type of job I wanted post-grad and it took me two other jobs that were not a good fit to find it. I feel like it is still frowned upon by seasoned industry professionals to job-hop, and to an extent, I can see where they are coming from. However, I truly believe if you are not happy where you are and what you are doing, you have every right to find a better fit. I am very thankful for my first two jobs, because it gave me a better idea of what I wanted in a company, manager, job position, etc. I know if I didn’t have them, I would not be at the job I am at today, but also, had I not explored more options, I wouldn’t have found this current job which I absolutely LOVE 🙂
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?
Definitely. I had this idea that I wanted to be a graphic designer at a magazine company when I first started the program, and then I had two graphic design internships with Insurance and Financial companies, respectively, which led me to believe that corporate graphic design was for me. Honestly, I think just experiencing new opportunities and projects led me to the changes. Now, I am a graphic designer in the fashion industry and I think it is the best fit out of all of them!
What do you see yourself doing a few years from now?
Advancing my way up at Golden Touch and learning and growing as a creative professional. I would love to be an Art Director one day, so I am constantly soaking up knowledge from individuals in high-level creative roles to learn everything I can!! Also hopefully continuing to enjoy life outside of work 🙂
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?
100%. Having been a recipient, I felt confident enough to continue pursuing an education and career in this industry and it showed me how many individuals, companies, and organizations are really invested in up and coming generation of students in graphic comuncations.
