Roundtable participants and their schools:
Carly Fairburn, Arizona State
Jerusha Nolt, Clemson
Brady Nachtrieb, Ferris State
Diego Rosiles, CalPoly
Annelys Suarez Tavera, Harper College
Aianna Kettavong, RIT
What happens when you put six students from six different schools into the middle of one of the print industry's largest gatherings? You get a fascinating glimpse into the future.
At Edge Rockies, Carly Fairburn (Arizona State University), Jerusha Nolt (Clemson University), Brady Nachtrieb (Ferris State University), Diego Rosiles (Cal Poly), Annelys Suarez Tavera (Harper College) and Aianna Kettavong (Rochester Institute of Technology) sat down for a roundtable conversation about their experiences entering the print and graphic communications profession. While each arrived with different backgrounds and interests, several common themes quickly emerged.
One of the strongest takeaways was how welcoming the industry feels once students are immersed in it. Many described arriving at Edge feeling somewhat intimidated by the size of the event and the experience level of the attendees. Those concerns quickly disappeared as they discovered a community eager to share knowledge, answer questions and help the next generation succeed. Rather than feeling like outsiders, the students found themselves welcomed into conversations with business leaders, technology providers and educators from around the world.
The group also discussed how much broader and more innovative the industry appears once viewed up close. Walking the Solutions Showcase, exploring new technologies and seeing production samples firsthand helped reinforce that print is far more dynamic than many people outside the profession realize. Packaging, personalization, automation, design, sustainability and emerging technologies all contribute to a field that continues evolving and creating new career opportunities.
Networking emerged as another major theme. The students repeatedly noted the value of connecting directly with professionals who were willing to share their experiences, offer advice and provide insight into different career paths. Those interactions helped transform what can sometimes feel like an abstract educational journey into a clearer picture of the opportunities available after graduation.
Perhaps most encouraging was the optimism around the table. These students represent a new generation of talent entering the print and graphic arts profession with curiosity, energy and a desire to keep learning. Their perspectives serve as a reminder that the future of print will be shaped not only by technology, but by the people who choose to build careers within it.
