As most students are, I was very nervous about entering college, I had just graduated from Oxford Hills and did not know what to expect at CMCC. When I finally began the Fall semester I was relieved to find how easy the transition was. The faculty was friendly, helpful and very informative, quickly teaching me new aspects of Graphic Arts that I had not learned yet.

       What I found the greatest was how much hands on the Graphic Arts/Printing technology program is. Whether it was my classes or in my required production experience, the program is lab intensive. It's not just about going to class , taking notes and then being quizzed on the material, it is about being able to apply the new knowledge to different situations and problems you could face in a real world situation. Most class assignments were not just worksheets and reports but rather going out into the lab and actually doing the task.

       I am now finishing up my final semester in the program, where I have been involved in daily production of real jobs for real clients. I spend around thirty-five hours a week in the lab dealing with the pressures of deadlines, various challenges offered by these real jobs and having to apply various problem solving techniques learned in my classes the semester before. By making the program so lab intensive, it gives those not yet familiar with a real Graphic Arts environment the skills needed to succeed and have a fulfilling career in the Graphic Arts industry.

       My name is Laura and I am a senior in the Graphic Arts/Printing Technology program with a concentration in prepress. Desktop publishing has always interested me, but I know I needed more training if I was going to make it my career. After having worked in the printing industry for several years I chose to fulfill my goal of going to college and earning an associates degree.

       Being 42 years old and a single mother of a ten year old daughter, I am not your typical college student, although there are many other students on campus my age. My daughter thought it was funny that her mother, like her, was getting up in the morning and going to school. At the start of the semester I was overwhelmed. My solution was to start with fewer classes and after gaining confidence I was bale to take on an 18 credit semester and do well. To do so I had to devote most of my time to studying with my daughter and completing lab assignments. In the Graphic Arts program, the majority of learning is done hands on, be it on a computer, light table or printing press. This is a very effective way to learn, but there were some days I joked about having to sleep at school to complete my assignments. I live 60 miles northwest of the college which can make for a long and tiring daily commute. Fortunately, I have been able to share a ride with fellow students that live in the area.

       May 14th I will graduate. It's hard to believe that two and a half years have gone by, et I feel assured and prepared to enter the workforce. From my previous experience in the printing industry I know I now have the skills I need to succeed. It took a lot of time management and hard work, but the confidence and satisfaction I have gained from my college experience are invaluable.

       Everyone has obstacles to overcome....but with enough dedication a person can achieve anything.