Recently, BKW senior Sadie Plant joined a group of eight Capital Region BOCES Digital Media Design students who completed work-based learning (WBL) at the New York State Senate Production Shop, learning the “ins” and “outs” of everything from graphic design to printing.
Students in the two-year Digital Media Design program that is offered at the Career and Technical Education Center – Albany Campus 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.
“I learned about large-format printing and about professionally talking to colleagues. The great workers there know how to inform and make the experience enjoyable. I really enjoyed the cutting station, graphics station, and mailing station best,” said Ms. Plant.
Students spent two half-days per week rotating through a variety of job functions in the Senate Production Shop, 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,” she said.
This is the first time Digital Media students took part in WBL in the Senate Production Shop during the school year, but it’s not the first experience for BOCES students with the operation.
“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.
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.
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