Graphic Design Alumni Turns Internship to Full-Time Job at Global Vending Group

“I have never been supported by any school, company, or group of people like at Bryant & Stratton College- and then a school became my family.” – Charles Underhill

A degree in Graphic Design opens the door to many possibilities in the creative world. Graphic design students at Bryant & Stratton College are prepared to pursue a number of career opportunities with advertising and marketing firms, public relations agencies, media and graphic production businesses, and many other unique graphic design positions. Bryant & Stratton College alumnus Charles Underhill talks about his college career and internship and career opportunities; gives advice; and more.

Describe your college career at Bryant & Stratton College.

I moved to the Buffalo, New York, area after growing up and living in North Carolina my entire life. After high school, 30 years ago, I went straight to college, and it didn’t work out. I was only a number in such a massive place, but at Bryant & Stratton, I am a name, I am a person, and I am cherished. I was alone when I moved to Buffalo, “and then a school became my family.” Faculty, staff, and students made going to class something that I would look forward to. I was always given help when I asked for it, and I enjoyed helping my peers and seeing them succeed as well.

Was there anyone specific at Bryant & Stratton College who contributed to your success?

Diane Czaplicki in Career Services at the Amherst, New York, campus helped me find an internship at Global Vending Group that eventually turned into a career. My graphic design classes with Barbara Wenke and Ligia Hubert had me extremely prepared for my role at Global Vending Group. Both Barbara and Ligia were always willing to share their decades of experience in the graphic design industry. With their support along with that of many others, I was able to get where I am today.

What is Global Vending Group?

Global Vending Group is one of the world’s leading vending machine distributors specializing in sales, support, parts, design, and service. They offer vending machines for everything from snacks and drinks to books and personal protective equipment.

What are your key responsibilities at Global Vending Group?

When I started at Global Vending Group, I was strictly applying vinyl graphics on vending machines. After I started to gain experience and got closer to earning my degree, I was able to begin creating designs for book vending machines for different schools based off of their specific requests. In addition, I convert small and/or low-resolution images into vector art that can be used on different vending machines.

How did your Bryant & Stratton College experience prepare you for this role?

The graphic design program at Bryant & Stratton College gives you experience and knowledge in the Adobe suite. In my current role as a graphic designer, I use Illustrator every day to create designs. I’ve used the skills from my graphic design classes as well as the art skills that I’ve built to make myself an asset at the company, even after just a few months.

What would you say to someone considering the graphic design program at Bryant & Stratton College?

The graphic design program will teach you the tools necessary for today’s field of commercial art. The program combined with utilizing career services can lead you to a lifetime of success. Career Services will do their best to help get you an internship or a job that will set you up to be successful. If you have any questions or problems, you can always find someone to talk to. It doesn’t matter if it’s your advisor, Admissions, or Career Services, they will always listen and help. Communication is the key to success, and you will get what you put into the program and more.

Learn more about our graphic design programs here!