Students in a Capital Region BOCES program are gaining volumes of professional experience working for the New York State Senate.
Eight Digital Media Design students are taking part in an internship at the Senate Production Shop, the graphics and printing department for the senate. They are gaining experience and knowledge that will give them an advantage in their professional futures.
“It’s great; I am enjoying the experience,” said student Kaylee Marrano from Shenendehowa.
“Digital Media students are spending two half-days per week rotating through a variety of job functions, ranging from graphic design, layout, pre-press, printing, and finishing work,” said teacher Barb Gorbaty. “Working in a facility that designs and produces such a wide range of materials gives the students a better understanding of what can be done and how it gets done.”
Students in the two-year Digital Media Design program learn professional skills in industry standard software while developing a working knowledge of design theory and practice. They also engage in the same project planning and execution processes that are consistent with industry practice and demonstrate their technical abilities through the Adobe Certified Expert program.
In addition to Marrano, seniors taking part are Lillian Sweeney and Payton Drake from Guilderland, Max Bryant and Nicole Forbes from Duanesburg, Sadie Plant, from Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Moira Connolly, from North Colonie, and Ezekiel Buckmire, from Schenectady.
This is the first time Digital Media students have taken part in WBL in the Senate print shop during the school year, but it’s not the first experience for BOCES students with the shop.
“We have had several students take part in summer internships in the past and one graduate is currently working three days a week there,” Gorbaty said.
Forbes said she appreciates the opportunity.
“Through my work-based learning at the New York Senate print shop, I am gaining workplace experience in various positions & building connections,” she said.
WBL is an integral part of the career and technical education experience. Through the WBL program, BOCES students are placed in approximately 80 worksites across the region, from metal fabricators to hotels and garages.