Imaging Management and Marketing

Career Options	The printing industry has more manufacturing plants than any other industry in the United States. Career opportunities are found in the ink industry, in packaging and converting companies, and with equipment and graphic arts suppliers, as well as in a wide variety of printing firms. College graduates with a degree in printing work as estimators, customer service representatives, assistant production managers, production supervisors, quality control supervisors, management trainees, technical representatives, and printing salespersons. Printing graduates also work in the paper and ink industries in customer service, sales, and printability testing.
Program Description	The Department of Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Imaging at Western Michigan University offers undergraduate programs in chemical engineering, paper science, paper engineering, and imaging. The department also offers a master's degree in paper and imaging science and engineering and a doctoral degree in paper and imaging science and engineering. Students in the imaging program have a choice of two majors: The imaging management option emphasizes management fundamentals, business operations, employee supervision, and labor relations. The imaging marketing option emphasizes information processing, marketing, sales, and advertising. Both options require technical courses covering all methods of printing. You will also study general education subjects and will practice communicating your ideas orally and in writing. All degree programs in the department require that you work at least one summer in industry.
Opportunities	The department maintains strong contacts with corporations that offer students part-time and full-time summer employment. Printing firms also host field trips and other class activities on a regular basis.
Facilities	Western Michigan University is the only campus in the world with both paper and printing "pilot plants." Students benefit from the opportunity to get hands-on experience in pulping, papermaking, and printing. They also rub elbows with industry representatives who use the pilot plants for research and testing.
Preparation	To enter the imaging program, you should have completed in high school at least three and a half years of college preparatory mathematics, including trigonometry, and two years of basic science such as physics and chemistry. If you lack some of this background, you may select courses at WMU to help you succeed in the program. Transfer credit from other colleges and universities will be granted for courses that satisfy WMU's requirements.
Admission	Admission to the University is processed by the Office of Admissions and Orientation. Write the Office of Admissions, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 or call (269) 387-2000.
Advising	An academic advisor will work with you to ensure that you take the right sequence of courses and get maximum benefit from your studies at Western Michigan University. To make an appointment with an advisor, call (269) 387-2800.
Financial Aid	Information about financial assistance such as scholarships, employment opportunities, loans, and grants is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. Write Student Financial Aid, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 or call (269) 387-6000. Because of strong industry support, many scholarships are available for students in imaging. Financial need and/or academic performance are the major criteria. For details about these scholarships, call (269) 387-2800.
Placement	Career Services helps WMU students and alumni in job search planning. Call (269) 387-2745.
For More Information	For more information about imaging, write Department of Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Imaging Robert A. Welborn Hall Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI 49008 or call (269) 387-2800.