Life After UNI |
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Many college students today are uncertain about what type of work they want to do after they graduate. While there are some that already have their mind made up, many only have of an idea of what kind of career they will want to pursue. Luckily, those students who are Graphic Communications majors at UNI have many job options for them when they graduate. People who are not familiar with the term graphic communications might wonder what types of jobs are available with this degree. The graphic communications industry includes a variety of possibilities in a wide ranging job market. Just to name a few, many graduates with a Graphic Communications major have pursued jobs in graphic design, advertising, printing, and other communication areas. To give students an insite into a career within this field, some recent UNI Graphic Communications graduates share a little about where they work now, what they do, advice they would give current students and how coming from this department has helped start off their careers.
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“The more relevant work experience you have on your resume the better off you’ll be.” |
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“Each day is different, and that makes for an interesting work environment!” |
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 Jill Semsch, another 2005 UNI alum currently works for ACH Food Companies in Ankeny, Iowa as a Graphics Coordinator. Much of her job involves working on label art and packaging for company-owned and private brands. Diversity on the job is what she enjoys the most. “Each day is different, and that makes for an interesting work environment!” Jill insists that a major in Graphic Communications has allowed her to gain knowledge on both ends of the spectrum - from idea and design in pre-press to printing and finishing. In order to succeed she strongly suggests getting an internship that gives you experience in all aspects of the specific field you are hoping to get into. |
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“In your first job out of college don’t be intimidated. There’s a good chance you’ll feel overwhelmed and that you didn’t learn enough in college but once you get in there it will all come together.” - Amanda Floy |
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| Amanda Floy, another graphic communications alum now works in Des Moines, Iowa for the ITA Group as a Production Coordinator. Some of her daily work activities include bidding for print communications, coordinating production schedules between their creative department, freelance artists, and print vendors, and preparing jobs for billing. What she likes best about her job is the diversity of the projects she handles as well as gaining more experience from all aspects of the communication industry. Looking back on her experience at UNI, Amanda claims that the graphic communications program provided her with a good foundation to start her career. The best advice she can give to students is, “In your first job out of college don’t be intimidated. There’s a good chance you’ll feel overwhelmed and that you didn’t learn enough in college, but once you get in there it will all come together.” |  |
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Website Was Created By Austin Scott austins@uni.edu |
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Carrie Smith, a 2006 UNI alum now works as a Customer Service Representative/Graphic Design Specialist for Ritter Pen Corporation in Fort Myers, Florida. Some of her job tasks include: taking the orders, proofing and approvals, and giving quotes. She also designs their catalog, advertising pieces, website and some of the artwork they print. What she enjoys most from her job is doing multiple tasks and having a good balance between customer service and designing. Carrie says that she has used skills from almost all of her graphics classes while on the job. Her best advice to give graphic communications students is to get as much experience from internships as possible. The more relevant work experience you have on your resume, the better off you are going to be.
Lindsay Wedemeier, a 2005 UNI alum works for Action Reprographics in Des Moines, Iowa as a Graphics Manager. A lot of her job entails designing art and copy layouts, reproducing graphic art projects, operating printers, and setting up bindery equipment. The creative freedom and variety of projects is what she enjoys most about her work. Without a background in Graphic Communications Lindsay feels like she would be limited to just the design aspect of her job. Her best advice to students within the department is to keep an ongoing portfolio of your work and possibly doing a minor or double major in either Art/Graphic Design, Communications or Business to make yourself even more marketable.
