SPC welcomed three summer interns this year, each bringing a unique academic background and perspective to our 13-week internship:
- Emily – a senior at Clemson University majoring in Graphic Communications with a minor in Business Administration
- Cali – a graduate student at Illinois State University pursuing a Master’s in Project Management, building on her bachelor’s degree in Graphic Communications Technology
- Joseph – a junior at the University of Iowa, double majoring in Mass Communications and Art
SPC’s internship program is unique in its rotational approach, providing deeper exposure to every part of the business.
“While I knew print was a fast-paced and ever-evolving industry, I did not realize how advanced the industry’s digital and data-processing aspects had become,” stated Emily. “Seeing the sheer level of personalization possible on a piece (of mail), alongside the quick turnaround times SPC is capable of, showed me that the print industry was growing even faster than I had initially predicted.”
We asked our interns a few questions about their summer experience.
What surprised you most during your first few weeks?
The universal answer from our interns was the scale of SPC print production along with our diverse markets.
Emily: It was impressive to see how creatively direct mailers worked within the production boundaries. The volume of jobs and pieces flowing through SPC in just one week was just incredible.
Was there a department or role you didn’t know existed before this internship?
Cali: I didn’t fully realize just how closely Operations and Account Management work together. I hadn’t seen firsthand how intense cross-functional teamwork can be. Watching managers communicate, manage resource constraints behind the scenes, and work through bottlenecks on the fly gave me a whole new perspective on how high-volume jobs actually work.
What’s one skill you’ve developed this summer that you’ll take into your future career?
Joseph: I really developed my ability to multitask. No two days looked the same and the unique requirements for each project kept things interesting. Genuinely, I found the workflow of account management fun, and I learned that I can thrive in multifaceted roles.
What’s something you’ve learned that isn’t taught in the classroom?
Emily: The ability to be fluid and move with the hurdles as they come is something I could only learn with the hands-on opportunities provided to me at SPC.
Joseph: At SPC, various departments collaborate on each job to ensure clients receive the best results. As an account management intern, meetings with coworkers were often focused on solving problems for customers that we could never dream up in school.
What’s one thing you’ll remember most from your summer at SPC?
Cali: One thing I will remember most is all of the amazing people I have met at SPC. Everyone was welcoming and more than happy to help with anything we needed. I felt very supported throughout my time here and have made some unforgettable friends!
Joseph: The approachability and passion of everyone at SPC is infectious and makes it a place where it is easy to learn quickly. I’m surprised by how much the kindness and respectfulness of the folks at SPC have noticeably improved my self-confidence.
If you could describe your internship experience in three words, what would they be?
Emily: Dynamic, Holistic, Exciting
Joseph: Dense, Eventful, Rewarding
Cali: Educational, Direction, Growth
Closing Out the Summer
The interns confirmed the rotational aspect of the program helped them recognize how closely connected departments are, with communication, collaboration, and attention to detail at each stage being essential to keeping a project on track from start to finish.
SPC is proud to invest in the future of print, demonstrating to young professionals that the industry is diverse, encompassing far more roles, technologies, and career opportunities than students initially realize.
Emily: “I’ll never look at my mailbox the same way again!”
