Wittenberg grad gives students 'novel' advice
Ann Delaney
Issue date: 2/16/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
"Many people don't realize how vast the world of publishing is," said Jessica Villalta, a 2003 graduate from Wittenberg University who now works at McGraw-Hill in Columbus, Ohio, designing pages for middle school and high school textbooks.
However, if you are someone interested in that vast world of publishing, Villalta strongly suggests applying to the University of Denver's Publishing Institute, or DPI. DPI is a four week intensive course that thoroughly, but very quickly, delves into the many aspects of the publishing sphere. From learning about the editing process and marketing techniques to meeting with publishing professionals, Villalta informed Wittenberg students in a workshop sponsored by the Career Center, that the institute gives you "a great opportunity to network with professionals" and "get your roots in the publishing business."
The program offers courses, lectures by publishing experts, specialized assignments, and the opportunity to edit and comment on a fresh manuscript to actual authors and editors. It also can be applied as six quarter hours of graduate credit.
The softer side, and less academic side, of the program involves picnics, luncheons, and dinners where students can get to know their professors and the higher-ups in the professional world.
Toward the end of the course, DPI offers job fairs and interviewing opportunities to start the job hunt before the program is even over. Although Villalta was not one of the lucky ones who left DPI with a job in tow, she said that her experiences as a Wittenberg art major and her "great experiences at DPI" definitely helped her to land her job at McGraw Hill, which she thoroughly enjoys. There she is able to put her skills to use designing pages, researching art and photographs, and finding illustrators for textbooks.
According to Villalta, the most valuable thing she learned at DPI was her ability to "broaden her network." Since DPI is a national program, access to DPI alumni is all over the country and she said she took advantage of that opportunity.
With many college graduates and others looking for career changes applying from all over the country, DPI accepts about 95 students for their summer program. Luckily, Villalta was one of the few Wittenberg students to be accepted. Villalta said that with the institute's interest in the personal statements of the application, it was her honesty, experience, and dedication to be a part of publishing that set her apart from the rest of the crowd.
Through her work at McGraw-Hill now, it seems like Villalta's dedication to the vast publishing world has not waned since her graduation in 2003.
DPI: The Facts
Tuition for 2006 is $3800
Housing is $850 for a two-bedroom suite, which includes a shared kitchen and bath
Meal plans are $410
However, if you are someone interested in that vast world of publishing, Villalta strongly suggests applying to the University of Denver's Publishing Institute, or DPI. DPI is a four week intensive course that thoroughly, but very quickly, delves into the many aspects of the publishing sphere. From learning about the editing process and marketing techniques to meeting with publishing professionals, Villalta informed Wittenberg students in a workshop sponsored by the Career Center, that the institute gives you "a great opportunity to network with professionals" and "get your roots in the publishing business."
The program offers courses, lectures by publishing experts, specialized assignments, and the opportunity to edit and comment on a fresh manuscript to actual authors and editors. It also can be applied as six quarter hours of graduate credit.
The softer side, and less academic side, of the program involves picnics, luncheons, and dinners where students can get to know their professors and the higher-ups in the professional world.
Toward the end of the course, DPI offers job fairs and interviewing opportunities to start the job hunt before the program is even over. Although Villalta was not one of the lucky ones who left DPI with a job in tow, she said that her experiences as a Wittenberg art major and her "great experiences at DPI" definitely helped her to land her job at McGraw Hill, which she thoroughly enjoys. There she is able to put her skills to use designing pages, researching art and photographs, and finding illustrators for textbooks.
According to Villalta, the most valuable thing she learned at DPI was her ability to "broaden her network." Since DPI is a national program, access to DPI alumni is all over the country and she said she took advantage of that opportunity.
With many college graduates and others looking for career changes applying from all over the country, DPI accepts about 95 students for their summer program. Luckily, Villalta was one of the few Wittenberg students to be accepted. Villalta said that with the institute's interest in the personal statements of the application, it was her honesty, experience, and dedication to be a part of publishing that set her apart from the rest of the crowd.
Through her work at McGraw-Hill now, it seems like Villalta's dedication to the vast publishing world has not waned since her graduation in 2003.
DPI: The Facts
Tuition for 2006 is $3800
Housing is $850 for a two-bedroom suite, which includes a shared kitchen and bath
Meal plans are $410
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