Stephanie Rexroth

Drawing on her cultivated education and practical design experiences, Stephanie Rexroth is painting a positive picture on the canvass of her future in the graphic design industry. A senior in Cal U's graphic design program, Rexroth has landed an internship with MARC USA this semester.
 
Headquartered in Pittsburgh, MARC is one of the nation's fastest growing national marketing communications agencies in the country with offices in key regions of the United States, such as Indianapolis, Chicago, Dallas and Miami. As a result of posting her resume with an online internship center, Rexroth was contacted by a recruiter from MARC, which is the largest advertising agency in Pittsburgh.
 
After a rigorous interview process, she learned that she won the position - through which she is a member of an actual client team at the firm. On the team, she will work along side professional MARC staff including art directors, designers and copywriters, and collaborate on client projects.

"It is a very exciting opportunity to gain real-world experience with such a prestigious firm," Rexroth said. "They have really included me in the process."

"I am also getting to experience the other side of graphic design," she said, comparing the in-house experience she gained by working within the marketing department at a local manufacturing company last year, with her current agency-type design work.

While Rexroth's grades and previous internship experience helped her gain the MARC internship, "MARC was most impressed by my portfolio, which includes a lot of work done with clients through ‘the club,'" she explained.

The club, which she describes, is Studio 224 - Cal U's graphic design organization. Through Studio 224, students gain practical design and marketing experience by creating real marketing communications projects and campaigns for actual clients.

"Our clients get great quality for less money," explained Greg Harrison, faculty member in Cal's department of art and design and club advisor. "Our students get invaluable experience. It's a win-win situation."

The National Aviary, PennDot and The Pittsburgh Coffee Company are just a few local organizations for whom Studio 224 has designed marketing communication campaigns. Rexroth's involvement in Studio 224 for the last few years includes serving as vice president and now president since last semester.  

"I had the graphic design experience through classes and internships, but my membership and serving as an officer of the organization has helped me gain valuable leadership experience and public speaking skills."

"One aspect that is setting us apart from other graphic design programs is our marketing component," Harrison explained. "Cal has integrated marketing into all of its graphic design classes so students can practically apply their work. Our students can use design as a communication tool to get results." Speaking from his experience in the design industry, he added, "That is a rare person."