Career Stories

IN THIS SECTION:

CAREER STORIES

Printing was the industry where I wanted to build my career

I was drawn to the printing industry because of my lifelong curiosity about creativity, color, logos, and the unique ways brands communicate their identity. While studying in the Graphic Communications program at Clemson University, I was immersed in both flexographic and commercial printing, gaining firsthand experience with the technology, processes, and machinery behind printed products. What fascinated me most was seeing how ideas and designs transformed into tangible, real-world products through the printing process. The combination of creative problem-solving, technical knowledge, and hands-on production made the curriculum incredibly engaging, and it quickly became clear that printing was the industry where I wanted to build my career.

Makenna Masters
Account Executive
Sun Chemical
Atlanta, GA

I found a fascination with the process, how we can create something from nothing to something tangible

I took a graphic design course in high school. While I found out that I was not a great graphic designer, I found a fascination with the process, how we can create something from nothing to something tangible. I toured Clemson University, and the tour guide highlighted the Graphic Communications program, highlighting that it had a 90% job placement rate after graduation. I was interested in some form of advertising/marketing career, and I felt that it fit well with that. Sure enough, I loved it from the very first day, to the point where I stayed late after scheduled lab times, was a Teaching Assistant, and continue to engage with the department to this day. It was because of the internships in this program that I was introduced and hired by with Professional Printers initially.

Stanley McCloy
Director of Business Development
Professional Printers, Inc.
West Columbia, SC

[Stanley now serves on the PICA Board of Directors]

I quickly fell in love with the Graphics Class

I began high school in 1998 at Asheville High School. I signed up for Spanish I and Spanish II my freshman year and to my surprise when I received my class schedule I was down for Spanish II first semester and Spanish I second semester. That obviously was wrong, so I reached out to my guidance counselor, and she told me I didn’t need to take Spanish until my senior year. She recommended two classes that were still available that late in the game. Graphics Communications was one of those classes. So, I said let me try that one, knowing nothing about it.

I quickly fell in love with the Graphics Class. Mike Davis was an A++ instructor with many contacts in the industry including the late Jim Daniels who I knew well. I was amazed at all the equipment we had at our disposal. iMac’s, Flexographic Web Press, 7 Offset Presses, Screen Printing Presses. It was a lot to take in, learn, and enjoy. I stuck with the class all 4 years winning national awards along the way.

After graduating I worked a couple more years as the teacher assistant there at Asheville High School printing forms and supplies for the school system. I then moved on to Allegra Printing working for Mike and Debbie Powell. Mike and Debbie retired about 8-9 years ago and Allegra was purchased by Dave Campbell of Mail Management. I worked for them after the merger up until about 2 and half years ago. I had about a 15-year career with Allegra all in all, mostly as an offset pressman, but also as a bindery worker, digital pressman, and eventually towards the end, with Dave, a Print Production Manager.

I have since moved to Greenville, South Carolina about 2 and a half years ago and currently work for Louis Redmond at Redmond Imaging Solutions. We are a small shop, so I handle all production work here from Digital to Offset to Bindery to Wide Format and more.

The Graphics Class at Asheville High School was an integral part of my career path and life journey. I wholeheartedly support need for support for these programs!

Trevor Harwood
Production Manager
Redmond Imaging Solutions
Greenville, SC

Graphic arts classes offered a much wider variety of skills and opportunities for real world learning

As a kid, I knew I wanted to do some type of communications job. I was on the yearbook staff and had a choice for a second elective. The two choices that made sense to me were the school newspaper or graphic arts. The graphic arts classes offered a much wider variety of skills and opportunities for real world learning. Our graphic arts teacher was very engaging and always said; “if you learn a trade, you will always be able to find a job.” We ran a full print shop that produced work for the school and outside customers. We “self” funded our projects with our outside work. Choosing graphic arts was the right choice. It taught skills that have carried over into day-to-day tasks: problem solving, critical thinking, attention to details, making decisions, knowing which decisions to make vs. when to reach out to others to decide, and team building. Forty years later, I can say confidently it is never dull and I learn something new every week. It is great to see how much the industry has expanded. It also makes me thankful for the strong foundation I was given in high school.

Melanie Hunt
General Manager
Subtle Impressions
Gastonia, NC

What started as “this seems like a pretty good sales job” turned into a career I genuinely enjoy

Nothing drew me into the paper and packaging industry. I had worked a couple other sales jobs and wanted to pursue a career in some type of sales. Then I stumbled into the paper/printing world, and somehow it stuck. What started as “this seems like a pretty good sales job” turned into a career I genuinely enjoy. I’ve learned that it’s not just about what you’re selling, its relationships, problem-solving, navigating constantly changing markets, and explaining to someone why the price of paper has somehow become a geopolitical issue. Somewhere along the way, I realized I wasn’t just selling paper anymore; I was building a career.

Hank Skelton
Sales Representative
Athens Paper
Charlotte, NC

I enjoyed being able to make something start to finish

My freshman year of college I had decided I no longer wanted to pursue the degree I had originally gone in to get. In trying to figure out what I wanted to do instead I remembered taking a photoshop class in high school and how much I had enjoyed it. I looked into graphic communications at Clemson and I fell in love. I enjoyed being able to make something start to finish. It was so much fun having products that I could show off to my friends that I had made, and even now as a professional when I see something that we worked on I get excited.

Rachael Arblaster
Project Manager
Martin Printing Company, Inc.
Easley, SC

I enjoyed being able to make something start to finish

Creativity has always been an important part of who I am, which led me to pursue a career where I could turn that creativity into meaningful work. I found that passion while studying Graphic Communications Management at Appalachian State University, where I developed a deeper appreciation for the printing industry and the impact it has. Since then, through studying, gaining experience, and continuing to grow, I’ve found a career I truly enjoy and wouldn’t want it any other way.

Emily Borja
Inplant Manager
Wikoff
Charlotte, NC