Inspire, Spring 2010

It seems almost every time viewers turn on the news, they find themselves watching the same journalist at the same desk reporting on the same thing: how unemployment percentages are the highest they’ve been in decades. So when a major corporation posts a job opening in a tough market like graphic design, applicants immediately flood the company’s human resources office with resumés and applications, eager to be chosen for the position. That’s one thing Mike Steiner ’08 was fully aware of when he applied for an open graphic design position with Abbott Nutrition. An international company with offices in Columbus, Ohio, Abbott manufactures Similac infant formula and nutritional items like Ensure, PediaSure, Myoplex bars, EAS Myoplex shakes, and ZonePerfect nutrition bars — all widely distributed major brands. When Mike was called in to interview with Abbott, he knew he was up against experienced designers and recent design school graduates. So he was more than pleased — and even a little surprised — when at the end of his interview he was told flat out, “We’re looking to hire you on.” From a long list of worthy applicants, Abbott picked Mike, a design grad from Cedarville. What’s equally impressive is that Cedarville’s design program began in 2003, graduated its first students just three years ago, and has already seen its alumni land high-profile jobs in a competitive field. Apparently, Mike’s experience wasn’t a fluke, because the company also hired John Rice ’08 and Suzanne Wilson ’08, which meant that three of Abbott’s six open positions were filled by Cedarville design grads. They were all hired as labeling specialists, a production design position that requires expertise in the technical aspects of packaging and marketing design. Soon after graduation, the three designers found themselves gainfully employed in the field of their choice. “It’s really exciting as a designer to walk into stores like Walmart and Target and see products that I’ve worked on,” said Suzanne. “Cedarville helped me get that opportunity, and I’m very thankful — because it feels really good.” Through both the interview process and their time on the job, the three new hires have been pleasantly amazed by how by Hohna Hartley compe titive field and tough economy couldn ’ t stop these three graphic designers from putting their creativity to work. A Designed for Success 22 SPRING 2010