SFI Internship Program

1. SFI Internship Program By: Sally Land & Graham Gilmer United-Maier signs, Inc.

2. SFI Internship Program • NSREC 2011 Conference set the seed for my desire to get involved • United-Maier Sign has previous experience with interns • My personal internship/co-op experience during my college years at DAAP • Current students involved with the UC Co-Op program

3. University of Cincinnati Co-Op Program • Several UC colleges are involved with the Co-Op program, such as the Carl L. Lindner College of Business and the College of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning. • Generally starts after the student’s sophomore year, alternating semesters, and creating a 5 year program. • UC has a Professional Practice Program Department that helps the student and host business through the process.

4. SFI Intern Sponsorship • Sign industry business host eligibility. • Desired experience for the student. • Host business will provide compensation for the costs of the internship such as housing, travel, and food provisions. • Formal presentation at the next NSREC conference by the student and host business.

5. DAAP and Business students: what makes a good fit? • Art department • Permit department • Sales department • Project coordinator • Special projects : • update web site • photo library • compile permit information

6. Selection process • Students submit resumes • Host selects students for interviews • Offer is made • Student accepts • Start/ end date established • Compensation worked out

7. Winter 2012 Internship • Graham Gilmer is a 3rd year Urban Planning student • Graham spent time in every department in the company to get a full understanding of the sign industry. We sent him on installs, he spent a day in the shop, and he accompanied several salespeople on calls. • He played an active roll in sales, permit procurement, surveys, and design • His special project was to compile a spread sheet listing contact, zoning map links, sign code links, and sign applications for every jurisdiction in the tri-state area

8. Summer 2012 Internship • Graham Gilmer is about to start his 4th year in Urban Planning • Graham comes back and jumps right back into step at United-Maier Signs • He is used by everyone in our office. Very helpful in our permit department • Graham reviewed incoming public bid projects from ISQFT, Dodge, ACI, and requests by general contractors. He reviewed documents for potential sign packages worthy of pursuing.

9. Mellow Mushroom • Sign design package for a new location • Every location is unique • Remodel of an existing building • Ground sign and building sign

12. Fabrication & Installation

13. Completion Photos

15. High rise/roof top surveys • Great American Insurance • Cyrus One • West Chester Hospital

19. Interior ADA signs • Super Jobs building

21. Cherry Grove Plaza remodel • Document size, location, and condition prior to removal • Note special conditions and UL labels • Removal scheduled in phases • Install scheduled in phases

23. Drake Hospital survey • Bid package to rework existing exterior campus signs • Measure and photograph every sign

24. The Christ Hospital Garage

25. Special Project • Project to fill time • Project our company needed to get to, but never had the manpower • Graham took a three month project and finished in a week • The project is very thorough and well organized • Saves the company a lot of time

26. Permit Information project

27. Evaluation

28. Graham’s experience

29. United-Maier Sign’s experience • Contagious optimism • Nice to have a young, fresh opinion • Graham was in demand throughout the office • We learned from him • Leaps and bounds ahead on a computer

30. Conclusion • It’s not a hard commitment. • Process is fairly easy. • Could lead to a future employee. • Sharing knowledge of the sign industry promotes the future of this industry.

31. Your Turn • Please contact Patty Herbin at patty@thesignagefoundation.org or by calling 336-260-3197.