This past week three alumni, Adam Peck ‘06, Matt Swain ‘07, and Bryan Yeager ‘08, shared their experience working at InfoTrends, Inc. with the School of Print Media. InfoTrends is a corporation that specializes in market research and consulting with digital imaging. Both Swain and Yeager work at InfoTrends as Senior Research Analysts; Peck is a consultant for the company. “As an industry analyst/consultant you have the opportunity to keep in touch with every hardware and software vendor in the industry and learn from several different perspectives. The number of people you get to meet and network with is invaluable,” Peck stated about his position.

Their presentation covered several aspects ranging from their career to the company while also discussing the industry. However, the alumni reflected mostly on their time here at RIT and shared their knowledge of how students can prepare for entering the workforce. They encouraged students to get involved with not just the SPM activities, but also outside activities that go on at our campus, saying this was the best way to prepare for employment.

All three agreed that connecting among your peers provides an opportunity for personal growth and develops your intrapersonal skills; Yeager was the President of Technical Association of the Graphic Arts (TAGA), Peck was President of PUB, and Swain worked at Standard Register in marketing support while obtaining his masters. These gentlemen looked for different ways to become involved within the School of Print Media (SPM) and also through other organizations. During the lecture, Peck, Swain, and Yeager advised students to become involved in organizations, intramural teams, and anything that would expand their social circle and knowledge of life.

Yeager commented, “When I was at RIT I tried to be involved with activities related to SPM, but also outside of SPM. It helped me get experience in a number of different areas and meet new people. Expanding your knowledge base and social base can definitely help not only academically, but also when going into the workforce. There are lots of opportunities at RIT to gain knowledge and experience, as well as work with world-renowned people within the school and through its partnerships. Take full advantage of it while you’re at RIT. It will pay off in leaps and bounds.”

Not only did they advocate for students to expand their knowledge and experience, they highlighted that networking is highly important while at RIT. As Peck stated, “To quote Paul Stella, my public relations professor at RIT, ‘It’s all about relationships.’ Grades, co-ops, honors, TAGA projects, and everything else will definitely give you an edge, but networking with the people that you meet in class, at trade shows, co-ops, and around campus will pay-off the most. It’s a small industry [print/publishing] and I can guarantee you’ll cross paths with the majority of your classmates and other industry contacts more often than not.”

The alumni were enthusiastic in encouraging students to try new things, become involved in projects, and step out of comfort zones. Through various organizations one can meet new people, gain new insight, and learn more about themselves.

And to end on Swain’s quote, “This is borrowed wisdom, but still a humorous perspective. The day you walk across the stage for graduation, two things happen:

1.    You go from being a student to being unemployed
2.    Your peers become your colleagues, and your best resources,”

So, go out and join clubs, meet new people and become more involved at RIT. It will only benefit you down the road and open many more doors for you.

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