Career of the Month: UI & UX Design
We will begin featuring a different career each month to support our college students and young alumni. We hope this information is helpful to you when it comes to choosing a major, further discovering what you can do with your major, or figuring out what your next career move will be.
UI & UX Design Defined
As the tech industry continues to grow, so does the need for talented designers to create interfaces that will allow for a great user experience. This could include anything from designing an app, to a website, to a digital game and more. These two job titles can get combined together and sometimes confused for the same thing. But they are different and there is a need for both.
UX Designer (User Experience Designer)
- how the product works and feels for the end user
UI Designer (User Interface Designer)
- how the product is laid out and how the user will visually interact
Check out the full designers guide to the tech industry
The Job Market and Breaking Through
We found pretty amazing facts on the high demand for UX designers such as job growth is currently up 30%. Check out this blog post on BLOC for the full story.
Get Inspired
The best part of being a UI or UX Designer? Getting in touch with your creativity! Color Inspiration for 2016
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The Importance of Networking – A Helpful Blog for the College Grad
As a College student or a recent graduate, you have begun to understand the importance of networking.
Whether it’s to help attain that first job out of school or move on to a new one, networking can play a huge role in helping you achieve your goals. Education and experience are important pieces of overall career growth, but one of the most vital factors in developing your career path and achieving growth are your relationships built along the way.
The connections you build with those you work for, work with and meet along the way can be extremely beneficial to you. At times, events and social gatherings may seem taxing at the end of a long day of classes or work, but the value is there. If you are given the opportunity to attend or are invited to an event, you should take advantage.
We found a great blog post by Madeline Bell, president and CEO of The Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia who finds networking valuable no matter where you are in your career.
Happy Networking!
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We Are Leading The Future of Graduation
Caps & Gowns Are Tied To High School Spirit
A majority of high school principals said: Students with a lot of school spirit do more than show support for their school, they perform better academically.
- 75% of students with higher levels of school spirit perform above average
- 92% of high school principals feel that school spirit is tied to student achievement
- 90% of students with high levels of school spirit are more active in school activities
- 83% of principals said their school drives school spirit by promoting the cap and gown at graduation. We at Herff Jones know that spirit matters. We are proud to offer the most customizable products to help enhance the celebration of school spirit at your graduation – starting with the most iconic symbol of achievement – the cap and gown.
GradSpirit: Expressing School Spirit at High School Graduation
Introducing GradSpirit, our premier offering of customized caps & gowns celebrating both school spirit and student achievement at your school!
From accessories branded to your school, to accents with your colors and custom embroideries, all the way to custom printed fabric, our custom offering of caps & gowns creates the ultimate graduation experience for your unforgettable milestone! In the GradSpirit portfolio, we offer three different ways to express your school spirit and recognize student achievement: SpiritSplash™, SpiritGown™ and SpiritPop™.
- SpiritSplash is one-of-a-kind and is the future of graduation. Showcasing custom fabric prints, these customized Caps and Gowns are the ultimate expression of school spirit and celebrate both school spirit and student achievement. Lead the future of graduation with SpiritSplash caps, gowns and accessories!
- SpiritGown allows a school to showcase their colors and the ability to customize gowns with a school logo or school crest.
- SpiritPop is a simple way to express that your school is different by adding a custom accessory like a hood or stole.
Whatever your needs are, we are the only partner that offers caps & gowns customized to express your unique school spirit. Reach out to your Herff Jones Rep to learn more!
To better understand connections between school spirit and student achievement, view the Varsity Brands white paper.
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Mentors Matter
There is nothing more impactful on your career and personal development than having great mentors — people who have experience in your field and are willing to guide you, provide you with real feedback, and help you grow. Here’s how to find one and make the most out of this person in your life.
Use the system, or search your own.
At some schools, administrators take the lead on making sure students find mentors, and others have a software tool that pairs students with alumni mentors. If your school doesn’t have a formal system for helping students find a mentor, you still have plenty of tools. Get on LinkedIn, talk to the careers services office, and ask your professors for guidance in connecting with a career mentor.
Let the relationship evolve naturally.
Get involved in things you care about and you’ll meet people who care about them too. As relationships develop you will learn a lot about what they know and how to apply it to your life. You might not ever say ‘You are my mentor,’ but those people can be just as important as anyone who signs on officially.
Set some ground rules.
Be crystal clear about expectations. You don’t want to over or under utilize this person. Agree on how often you’ll talk and the preferred communication combo…is it email and phone, or can you meet in person regularly?
It’s your responsibility, not theirs.
You should expect to do the bulk of the work of establishing meeting times and working around your mentor’s schedule. And think about giving not just getting. Even if it’s sending an interesting and relevant article, you’re showing that you want the relationship to be a two-way street.
Set appropriate expectations.
You’re doing this to get some career and life guidance, not miracles. Don’t expect a job, or and internship. It may happen, but not until you’ve earned it. Don’t expect a mentor to advocate for you until you’ve demonstrated you are worthy of that advocacy.
Five questions to ask when you meet a potential career mentor:
- What are the primary skill sets I should build to have a successful career?
- How can those skills be developed?
- What can I read that will round out my knowledge?
- Is there anything I can do to help or support you?
- What would you do differently if given the opportunity?
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Do Something: An Organization Making Changes
Have you ever wanted to volunteer for a cause you’re passionate about but had trouble finding the right one to get behind? DoSomething.org gives young people the voice and ability to make big changes. With 4.3 million members and counting, this organization is on a path to make a huge difference in the 130 countries it serves. There are currently 240 different volunteer campaigns to join so there is something of value and interest for everyone.
With a statement of “Any cause, anytime, anywhere” and purpose of improving the world we live in, it’s no wonder Herff Jones and so many others believe in and support this organization of passionate hard workers. Want to get involved? Visit their site here or get social.
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We’ve Got the Latest Trends in Class Rings!
Herff Jones has class ring styles for everyone. Whether you’re looking for bold and daring, a statement piece or traditional, we have what you need. Take a look at a few styles we’re excited about and find the right match for you!
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Plus One Portable Yearbooks
Herff Jones’ Plus One is the digital companion alongside the printed yearbook. The year’s events are at your fingertips anytime, anywhere on your smartphone or tablet, at no cost to your school or anyone who has purchased a yearbook.
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Learn More and Be Inspired
Learning about yearbook journalism never quite ends. There is always room to grow, and widespread yearbook events could be the answer for you and your staff. With so many summer workshops and various conventions throughout the year, like JEA, NSPA and CSPA, the opportunity to learn, share ideas and improve as a staff has never been better.
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Portfolio
Ask your rep about ordering a copy for your staff.
All books featured in the printed Portfolio can also be found in our online showcase.
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Yearbook Inspiration
Inspiration is only a few clicks away in our Showcase Collection. View the hottest and most current trends in yearbook design and get your creative juices flowing.
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