Graphic Technologies Students ‘CPTC Themselves’ in the Industry

Students in Clover Park Technical College’s Graphic Technologies Program had the opportunity to picture themselves in the industry with a recent visit to a local printer.

About 35 students toured Print NW in Lakewood to see the press room, digital printing and direct mail divisions.

“These are all operations students had only heard about, not really seen in action,” said Graphic Technologies Instructor Darryl Owens.

For the past few years Owens, along with instructors John Moyer and Jeromy Condon, have taken their students on an annual visit to Print NW, which also employs two CPTC graduates.

“The students can also see where they might fit in,” Owens said. “Not so much in that shop, but in the industry.”

The Graphic Technologies Program has also welcomed Print NW employees to their classrooms for industry presentations. Touring the facility gave students the chance to see the team setting firsthand.

“Taking a tour at Print NW was very eye opening for me because it gave me a real life perspective of what I could be doing with all the skills I’m gaining from the Graphic Technologies Program,” said student Corrine Moore.

CPTC’s Graphic Technologies Program prepares students for careers at commercial printing companies, sign companies, quick print and copy shops, in-plant shops, specialty printing companies, advertising agencies, web design and e-publishing, and newspaper and magazine offices.