Student completes co-op with Chicago print shop

Meet Alex, a fourth-year media arts and technology student with a political science minor. Originally from California, Alex later moved to Connecticut. He came to RIT to study packaging science but transferred into School of Media Sciences' media arts and technology program because he liked combining technology with graphics and creating visual products utilizing math and critical science. He’s the print production Manager for TAGA and works in the school's Process Lab.

Last summer, Alex completed a co-op with Specialty Print Communications (SPC) in Niles, Ill.

What does SPC do?

It’s a print shop. Their real selling point is direct-mail marketing. They do a lot of work with direct mail and with data to do personalized pieces. A lot of what they do that sets them apart is they have a letter shop so nothing really hits the USPS. All of their mail is sent from their facilities. They have seamless acceptance. So when they’re doing things like direct mail, they have the strategic ability to do co-mingling. They can get mail in to the stream really fast and really cheap.

How did you get the co-op?

It was on Job Zone (now Handshake), and in an email from Shauna (Newcomb, a career services coordinator in RIT's Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education). They were accepting resumes and cover letters and came to campus to do the second round of interviews. After the on campus interview, they offered me a job a few days later.

What about media arts and technology helped prepare you for that co-op?

All my classes that talked about graphic processes, pre-press, and color management all came in to play. It was key knowledge. A lot of what I did was account management, organizational, working on a team, and used skills required in classes and in the work world.

What did you do on co-op?

The beginning of the co-op was a rotational program that exposed you to all aspects of the company. For a week to two weeks, you’re with a mentor doing whatever work is available. After you’re exposed to everything and get a taste for how things are run, you become an account manager and get sales assigned to you. You’re responsible for layouts, production times, making proofs, keeping in contact with customers, and keeping the production guys aware of what jobs are coming.

What was the co-op search like for you?

I had a lot of companies that I was interested in from the career fair and I figured that one of those would end up being where I (would work). After the career fair I saw this job listing and it sounded really good. By the time I got to sit down with them, I thought it would be the best fit. I really enjoyed what they had to offer and what they told me about the company, and that’s how I made my final decision. I felt like I was a good fit with them.

What was your favorite part about being on co-op?

It was really nice to be taken seriously as an employee at this company. I got the same responsibilities as the other account managers. When I didn’t have things to do, they would give me side project that would be useful for me going forward.

Is there anything else about your co-op you want to share?

It was awesome. They will take you out around Chicago, everyone’s super friendly and will get you engaged outside of work. It’s not only about sitting in a cubicle, they will really get you involved. You’re not just a co-worker. And Chicago is a great city.