Why You Should Talk to Printing Industry Students at Trade Shows

In the printing industry, there are plenty of opportunities for professionals and students to come together. These events offer a chance for students to learn real-world insights and gain valuable connections, while professionals can receive fresh perspectives and new ideas from the next generation. Staying ahead of industry trends and maintaining a fresh perspective are key for success. One of the most valuable opportunities for growth and innovation lies in the relationships between print professionals and students. This post dives into why these interactions are so important and how everyone can benefit from them.

How One Conversation Can Benefit Students

Trade shows provide students with a hands-on learning experience. We learn a lot in the classroom, but seeing the presses run and how they’re used in a business process is extremely beneficial. It’s so much easier to understand how the processes work when they’re right in front of you. Many print professionals have been at it for a long time and have a lot of knowledge to share. One conversation can teach us a lot, and we look forward to that kind of mentorship. We soak up every bit of information we can get and are eager to learn more. Those kinds of relationships are amazing for us, now, and in the future. We use what we’ve learned from you and apply them to better ourselves and our work.

Networking is also a big part of trade shows. Students are always looking for places to work over the summer and after graduation, as well as for required internships. Trade shows are a great way for us to look at a company and decide if it’s somewhere we’d want to work. We gain an understanding of what your company does, your new innovations, and we can meet some of your employees. Networking works both ways, it is beneficial for students and the print professionals. You can teach us everything you know and have learned, and we can provide fresh ideas and perspectives. We like to learn how you run your business or any tips and tricks you have. We’ll probably ask a lot of questions and hope that you will have questions for us.

The collaboration between students and professionals in the printing industry is a win-win for everyone involved. These interactions, whether at trade shows or through networking and mentorship, give students the chance to learn beyond the classroom and build meaningful connections for our future careers. Meanwhile, professionals can gain fresh ideas and energy from the next generation. By coming together, both students and professionals can help keep the industry moving forward, fueled by a shared passion for the work they do. We bring everything that we learn with us to our future careers. We have a lot of passion and enthusiasm for the industry, just like everyone else. We’d love the chance to share that passion with anyone willing to listen.