Impressions from the Field…
Teachers Talk About Their Summer 2006 Externship Experiences
| Graphic Design, Digital Arts Teacher | Hopkinton High School |
I have to admit, before the summer started it was as if I was getting cold feet. For some reason I still get the jitters over starting a new job and I was even more scared that I was going in there as an educator. The day I started at Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) things were a little chaotic. ...The IT person in the office had me set up on a nice computer, purchased the software necessary to do my job and we had things up and running in no time. Everyone greeted me at first a bit confused but as they took the time to stop by my cubicle we each exchanged a little information about what we did and why I was there.
My task was to help them improve their marketing materials which included: project sheets, company bio sheets, brochures, power points, and even some
40th anniversary collateral. In the beginning I felt like I was in for it. I was worried about the seven weeks I had to accomplish all of this. I was lacking in information and still learning about the engineering world. Once we got the ball rolling things seemed to pick up and other people in the office began investing themselves in rewriting copy and trying as hard as they could to educate me about the engineering language I was reading. GPI works in several engineering areas from civil to structural, electrical to power. Each office specializes in certain areas. In this case the Stoneham , MA office works closely with many municipalities.
In the end, we accomplished a great amount of work...work that we were all very proud of. The majority of project sheets were redesigned in the new format. A marketing drive was established on the server where all graphic/marketing related material is now housed so it won't get lost in the shuffle, erased, or written over. Templates were created to make things easier for those working on this after me. Tutorial time was setup with one of the marketing assistants so she could learn the software. I designed a “Marketing Cookbook” that lays out all the graphic treatments, typefaces, colors, logos, etc. to ensure the integrity of the designs. Some other materials were redesigned and some are still waiting in the wings to be finished.
After the externship was up, I was offered part-time work with GPI which I have gladly accepted. I am currently working every Tuesday after I leave school to continue working on marketing materials. Proposals are a huge part of how GPI gains new work. Over the summer, I became familiar with the proposal process and have helped put together a few. I've even redesigned the look of the proposal. I am hoping to fully use them in time to come.
Together with the staff at GPI we have developed a cleaner, more visually interesting, cohesive look. Things appear to be more organized and we are hoping this will have some effect on how their clients experience their first impression whether it be through their proposals, a power point presentation or a folder that's been mailed out with their bio and discipline sheets in them.
I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity to learn about the engineering field as well as having the opportunity to educate the staff about design and technology. I am so happy that I didn't back out of this externship. LIFT2 has provided me with such a great opportunitynot only to grow as a teacher but also as a designer. I feel like I left GPI learning about careers I knew so little about and I left some pondering whether or not they should go into teaching or go back to school for design!
I would recommend this to any teacher who is interested in making new relationships outside of the school environment, teachers who want to get back in touch with their field, and even teachers who want to learn about something they've never even thought of!
Colleen A. Sweet