The Roundtable: Students Speak

Roundtable participants, from left to right in video: Anna Frias (Cal Poly), Emalyn Nelson (Ferris State), Isabella Amian (RIT), Tiffany McClellan (Arizona State), Aeryn Leyba (Harper College), Ava Gionis (Clemson), Michael Ferrari (Dscoop Academia Director)

At Dscoop Edge Long Beach, a panel of print and design students sat down with Dscoop Academia Director Michael Ferrari for a wide-ranging roundtable discussion about the digital print industry. The group, representing different programs and backgrounds, shared what drew them to print, how they’re preparing for careers and why they feel hopeful about where the industry is headed.

The students emphasized that they’re stepping into a space where design, technology and creative thinking converge. They spoke about the satisfaction of hands-on work, the joy of bringing ideas to life, and the ways their generation is eager to bring sustainability and fresh thinking into the workplace.

Several students mentioned that connections with professionals — including those they met at Dscoop — make a huge difference in feeling supported. They were inspired by the innovation on display at Edge and the passion they saw in so many attendees. Their message to the industry? Keep the door open and the conversations flowing.