Who We Are... Best Kept Secret

Best Kept Secret Careers in Graphic Communications
by Dr. J. Page Crouch, Alumni Professor Emeritus, Clemson University

Every parent and high school senior is aware of careers in journalism, law, medicine, engineering, architecture and computer science. But few are aware of opportunities in the second largest segment in the American manufacturing community. The graphic communications industry (better known as printing) is a partner to every phase of our economy and has always been one of the forces pulling up on the GNP, even when well known segments, like auto, steel or retail are down.

As the economy continues to expand throughout the Southeast, the need to expose this secret becomes even more critical. Imagine the situation of the print manufacturer trying to locate a technically literate manager or sales representative. Where would you look for someone who can assist in translating a customer's need for catalogs, sales brochures and packages into tangible goods. The "guidance system" in schools has actually been guilty of misdirecting young people to the glamor phases of this field, already grossly oversupplied. Designers and copywriters, with some exceptions, are so plentiful that many employers refuse to advertise their needs fearing their inability to screen the numbers of applicants. And what a heartbreak it must be for the mislead graduate who finds a job starting at minimum wage after four years of college. I recently had the opportunity to read letters and credentials of applicants for a job with an association publication. These were college graduates, often with several years of experience, looking for opportunity to advance in their careers. I knew things were bad, but looking on $20-23,000 as progress was hard to believe. Fresh graduates, no experience, start in engineering and sciences anywhere from mid $30s to $50s. Clemson's Graphic Communications majors, technically literate generalists, are in big demand beginning with salaries between $30,000 and $50,000 with excellent likelihood of rapid advancement.

In case you still aren't sure of the significance of this "big secret", or doubt its promise for a healthy future, consider this: Is there ever a time when you personally are out of touch with graphic communications? Most of us rely on graphic images to tell time, find our way to and from work, learn how to improve both professional and leisure performance and transact our daily business. When you relax, it's often with a magazine, newspaper, or book, and possibly with a beautifully printed bag of snack food in your lap. We buy all sorts of gadgets based on the printed ads and technical explanations and learn to use them (or assemble them) by the words and pictures in the manuals or instruction sheets. There have been many to predict the death of print because of the birth of computers, video and of course, the world wide web. Well, next time you're at the book store or magazine counter, count the new printed publications created specifically for the computer and video enthusiasts. And what about sports, hunting, travel and photography? What hobby or profession hasn't a long list of special graphic communications products and services?

When exposed to these "best kept secrets," young people find them extremely attractive. Since every phase of any economy depends significantly on the graphics industry, the opportunities are geographically universal. The variety career opportunities inherent in this business is both entertaining and challenging. After all, no two packages, books or brochures may be the same. Every message originator wants to outdo the next. This is the nature of the business.

Those creative youth, misdirected toward commercial art, design and journalism often find the real opportunities far more attractive than the better known, over-applied glamour careers. Unfortunately, most young people are never exposed to this "best kept secret" since the only time it's studied is when they learn of Ben Franklin, printer and statesman or Johannes Gutenberg, man of the millennium. That remains their concept; slow primitive work done by old people wearing green visors. Wow, this is so far from reality. Today the industry runs by computers and a multitude of sophisticated devices that process beautiful and complex images into mass produced products. This sophisticated industry needs professionally schooled young people to help it move into the next century. They come in mass to recruit interns and pay well for their services, at a time when the interns in the glamour areas are not paid at all. There is a message in this and more counselors, teachers and young people should be receiving it.

Investigate this Best Kept Secret if you want a career of opportunity, challenge and security. At a times when most graduates have had difficulty finding a job Graphic Communications graduates ALL had job offers within 45 days of their graduation. And they are career path jobs too!

This site is created and maintained by the students and faculty
in the Department of Graphic Communications at Clemson University.
Any questions or comments should be directed to lemson University.
Any questions or comments should be directed to Dr. Sam Ingram at sting@clemson.edu.
Date last updated: January 24, 2003.