You are now in the main content area

GCM graduates and their social construct relationships within graphic communications-related industries

The goal of this project is to help gather current info and insights into the employment and industry relationships of GCM Grads with the ‘Graphic Communications’ related industries that ‘traditionally’ employ them.

Christopher Smyth, Associate Professor and Donna Razik, Assistant Professor

Objectives of Study

  •  Determine the level of engagement in graphic communications industries.
    – Where are alumni employed?
    – How often have they changed roles or employers?
  • Gather insights into what drives them to change career paths or employers

Survey Demographics

  • 32% Gen Z (Born 1997-2012)
    46% Millenial (Born 1981-1996)
    16% Gen X (Born 1965-1980)
  • 67% of respondents were women
  • 50% of respondents graduated in the past 10 years (as of 2023)
  • Approximately 90% are employed across the GTA
  • Over 50% in a salaried environment


 

Survey Findings

Purpose of Findings

Years with Employer

How long have you been working for your current employer?

Years with Employer

Number of Companies

In total, how many companies have you worked for since graduating?
 

Career Preparedness

To what extent do you feel that the Technology and Management courses in GCM helped prepare you for your career after graduating? 

Type of Organization

Which one of the following best describes the organization you are with? For companies with multiple divisions and/or locations, please select the one that applies best to where you work.

Type of Organization: Other

The 'other' answers regarding organizations were qualitatively analyzed and categorized as:

  • Related: meaning related to graphic communications 
  • Unrelated: meaning not, such as electrician 
  • Ambiguous: not enough information provided to determine one way or the other

Current Responsibilities

Which of the following responsibilities describe your current position? Please select all that apply.

Current Responsibilities: Other

3 to 5 Years from Now...

Where do you see yourself in your career 3 to 5 years from now?

Staying vs. Leaving

Which of the following are encouraging you to remain at your current company? Which of the following are prompting you to consider leaving? Please select all that apply.

Next steps: The paper was recently accepted to be presented at PrintIstanbul in October 2023. This biennial symposium covers all aspects of printing and print media technology, working with all branches of the printing industries.