PRINTING United Alliance is proud to support the students and educators shaping the future of the printing industry. Through our iLEARNING+ Member Series, we spotlight how students and professors are using the Alliance's iLEARNING+ platform to enhance instruction, build industry skills, and strengthen workforce development. The following is a Q&A with Angela Shum, student at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly).
Can you tell us more about yourself and what led you to pursue Graphic Communication Management at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly)?
Originally, I was interested in graphic communication because of UX/UI design and my interest in creating digital experiences. As I got more involved in the curriculum, I discovered a strong passion for graphic design, print production, and the technical side of the industry.
One of the things I love most about graphic communication is being able to see ideas come to life tangibly through print. There’s something really rewarding about understanding the full production process and seeing how design decisions translate into physical pieces. I enjoy combining both creativity and technical problem-solving, whether that’s through design, production workflows, or learning different printing technologies and processes.
I eventually decided to concentrate in management because I realized I also enjoyed the backend side of projects, including coordination, marketing, communication, and organizing workflows. I liked being able to bridge the creative side with strategy and operations, which is what really drew me toward the management concentration.
Have you taken advantage of the free iLEARNING+ courses available to you as a student member of PRINTING United Alliance? Are there any courses or certifications that stood out?
Yes, I’ve taken advantage of the free iLEARNING+ courses available through PRINTING United Alliance, especially the color management courses. The specific course I took was called Color Management Professional Fundamentals Certification. I was really interested in learning more about how color works across different devices, materials, and print processes because color accuracy plays such a huge role in design and production.
Has using iLEARNING+ given you a better understanding of current industry trends, technologies, or career pathways in the print and graphic arts industry?
Yes, honestly, iLEARNING+ has given me a much better understanding of industry trends, technologies, and career pathways within the print and graphic arts industry. Sometimes in school, it can be difficult to fully see how classroom concepts directly connect to future careers, but iLEARNING+ helped bridge that gap for me. It reinforced that many of the topics and workflows I’m learning through the curriculum at Cal Poly are highly relevant and applicable within the industry. I especially appreciated that the courses were self-paced because it allowed me to take my time learning concepts more in depth and revisit topics when needed. That flexibility made the experience feel more approachable and practical.
The courses also connected closely to my role as an Account Manager at University Graphic Systems, the student-run print and design business on campus. A lot of the information directly related to processes I encounter in my day-to-day work, and it helped me both strengthen my understanding of existing workflows and learn new concepts that I can apply in a real production environment.
What types of courses or resources would you like to see added to iLEARNING+ that would help you or your peers as you prepare to enter the workforce?
I think more real-world case studies and workflow-based courses would be helpful, especially ones that walk through how a project moves from concept to production and collaboration across teams. As students prepare to enter the workforce, it can sometimes be difficult to connect classroom learning to industry applications, so seeing more practical examples would help build confidence and understanding.
As a student member of the Alliance, what is the benefit to you of having two additional years of membership with continued access to iLEARNING+ post-graduation?
As a student preparing to transition into the workforce, having two additional years of Alliance membership with continued access to iLEARNING+ after graduation is extremely valuable. I think one of the biggest challenges after graduating is continuing to build confidence and adjust to the fast-paced changes within the industry, so having access to educational resources during that transition period would be incredibly helpful.
I also appreciate that the platform allows for continuous learning beyond the classroom. The print and graphic communications industry is always evolving with new technologies, workflows, and trends, so having ongoing access to courses and certifications would help me continue developing both my technical and professional skills as I begin my career.
Having attended PRINTING United Expo's annual Student Day throughout your time as a student, how has that experience shaped your understanding of the industry, and are there any particular moments, connections, or takeaways that have made a lasting impact on you?
One of the most memorable parts of Student Day was honestly walking through the show floor and constantly recognizing things from class or work and getting excited about them. There were so many moments where my peers and I would say things like, “Wait, we use Fiery for this!” or “Wow, I didn’t realize this type of printing technology could do that.” It made the experience feel very interactive and helped connect what we learn in the classroom to real industry applications in a fun and tangible way.
I also really appreciated that we had industry professionals guiding us through the Expo and explaining the technologies, workflows, and equipment along the way. Having someone commentate and walk us through what we were seeing made a huge difference because it helped us better understand not only what the technology was, but also how it is actually used within the industry. Seeing major companies like Canon and Fujifilm showcase their newest innovations in person made the industry feel exciting, approachable, and constantly evolving.
Student Day also helped me build confidence professionally. Being able to network with industry professionals, alumni, and companies helped me become more comfortable having conversations about careers and asking questions about different pathways within the industry. I think one of the biggest takeaways for me was realizing how welcoming and supportive the print community is toward students entering the field. That encouragement and exposure made a lasting impact on me and reinforced my excitement about pursuing a career within this industry.
For more information on iLEARNING+ or to start exploring courses and certifications today, visit: https://www.printing.org/library/ilearning.