gloucester County Times

I really enjoyed the trip to the Gloucester County Times. It was interesting for me to see how a newpaper works because in all honesty, I have never been to a news site. It was rather crowded, and noisy, which is the opposite of my current job, but none of it seemed that bad. I found the microfim readers interesting because many places are phasing them out. Also, the gigantic rolls of paper and the machinery from way back when were neat. I think it would be kinda cool to work there, the only thing preventing me from applying is the distance. I really liked it there though. (Of course, the free food was an added perk.)

Gloucester County Times

The Gloucester County Times was interesting to say the least. Everyone there was incredibly nice and willing to share about their experience. I thought it was very nice of them to feed us. Unfortunately, the trip did convince me of one thing-I do not want to work in print-at least not at a newspaper. I do not like the constraint of rules and print is full of them. Not everyone may agree with me, but this is from my own personal experience. I would rather work in television. GCT was very cramped and I was shocked at the hours they keep. The editors were very knowledge. I loved touring the facility, especially the printing part. I couldn’t believe how much paper they go through on a daily basis. I really enjoyed the question and answer session we had with the staff in the conference room and it was nice to see such a young fresh group of employees. Overall, I’m glad I went because I learned about what I do and do not like.

Gloucester County Times

I enjoyed the Gloucester County Times trip. Not just because there was free pizza either. The Gloucester County Times seems like a fun office to work in. The atmosphere is very casual, and the people there seem fun. I'm sure it can get intense around deadlines, but while we were there it seemed like an enjoyable place to work. I could see myself working at a place like the Gloucester County Times. There's something exciting about being a reporter and spending the day talking to strangers. I'm sure reporters meet lot's of interesting people. The Gloucester County Times also impressed me with their large tanks of ink. I've never seen so much ink in my entire life. I meant to ask them how many gallons those tanks were, but I forgot. I imagine the number is pretty high. If I don't find a job writing comedy, or at a magazine, then I wouldn't be unhappy working at a friendly neighborhood newspaper like the Gloucester County Times.

Gloucester County Times

Our trip to the Gloucester County Times was great. I feel like I learned so much in those few short hours. Being able to get a tour and to really see what a newsroom was like was very helpful. I loved the laid back atmosphere, and it seemed like everyone there really enjoyed their job as well as the company of their coworkers. Being able to talk to reporters, as well as Rowan grads, really made it hit home that I could have this job one day. I loved how there never seemed to be a quiet moment. Everyone was so eager to talk to us and answer all of our questions, I really appreciated it (and I'm sure we all really appreciated the pizza!) I always thought that I wanted to work for a magazine, but the trip to the Gloucester County Times made me seriously reconsider that.

The Times vs. The Inquirer

          I was pleasantly surprised by our trip to the Gloucestor County Times offices. The people in the newsroom were friendly, and it was really neat to be given a tour by the Editor-in-Chief himself. When he showed us their press I was reminded of our visit to Rovani Graphics. I was surprised to see how much paper they use though: those rolls were huge. I was actually impressed by how much of every aspect of the process Gary knew about. I guess I figured as Editor-in-Chief he would know a little about the presses and the other machinery and such, but I didn’t think he’d know all the ins and outs like that.

          I also had the opportunity to visit the South Jersey offices of the Philadelphia Inquirer on Thursday, and it was very interesting to compare the two. The Inquirer’s offices were so quiet! Apparently we had come at a time when most of the reporters were out getting stories, but even so most of the cubicles (those things are everywhere) were completely empty. The editor showing us around mentioned that they had suffered several big layoffs lately, but as a whole their offices seemed much more quiet and introspective than the Gloucestor County Times offices. The Times’ offices seemed much more alive and friendly. The pizza and getting to speak with Rowan grads helped too. ^_~ But it was interesting to be able to compare the two newsrooms.

-Erin

Gloucester County Times Field Trip

The trip to Gloucester County Times was very enriching in information. The editorial staff was excellent in showing college students around the biz of a newspaper. They were exciting to listen to, and they had a great since of humor. The reporters were a great help in understanding what it's like to get a job in the field after college graduation. The tour of the building was very interesting, I have never seen a newspaper office, and to see where the paper gets printed every night was exciting. I like the hustle and bustle feeling; it was not a quiet place by any means. The people were friendly to talk to from the receptionist all the way to the editors; they made you feel at home. The pizza was an excellent gesture as well!

Gloucester County Times trip

I found the trip to the Gloucester County Times to be very rewarding. The small newsroom seemed very friendly and close-knit; an environment that I would love to start in after graduating. For a paper with such a small circulation, I was amazed to see how many rolls of paper were needed every week!

Though the small cubicles allowed for little personal space, I felt that the atmosphere would make any writer feel at home. Unlike SLACK, inc, phones rang, and noises you would expect to hear coming from an office could actually be heard.

The advice offered by the editors and writers was very helpful. I now have an inkling of what will be expected of me as a writer. Jessica Beym was especially inciteful, explaining how she achieved her position and what she had accomplished at Rowan before graduating.

All-in-all, the trip was enjoyable. It certainly helped that I did not have to return to Comm Law on an empty stomach!

rovani graphics

Some students rush to judgment, but not I. I have let the events of March 27 marinate in my mind these past weeks before posting my (delayed) reaction. So this post is not “late” as much as it is “painstakingly thoughtful.”

The field trip to Rovani is my second favorite field trip, (B&N holds the top slot).

Pulling into the driveway, I assumed the small quarters meant Rovani was a kangaroo operation. This was an incorrect assumption.

Mr. Simpkins was an engaging personality and commanded my fullest attention. He made the class understand what employers expect out of employees. On the job, one can't settle for 'B' 'C' or even 'A-' work; it's either done correctly (A level work) or done incorrectly, unsatisfactory.

There is no room excuses in the business world. Personal problems are best left at home. Text messaging, inappropriate office behavior.

Employers are not just looking for graduating students with the smarts to complete assignments; they are looking for personalities that mesh well with their current stable of workers.

It seemed as though they churned out a great deal of work orders. And while printing is not an area of interest to me, the process itself was an enjoyable learning experience.

On a side note: the fact that Rovani Graphics was green, environmentally sensitive, was a refreshing bit of information.

Gloucester County Times Trip

Gloucester County Times Trip

The trip to Gloucester County Times was by far my favorite trip as of this year. Being journalism major, I found the trip to the local newspaper very informative on many levels. Of course this trip was enlightening due to the massive amount of details given by the editor along with the Rowan alumni. On another level, a lot could be learned by just being in the newsroom itself.

I especially liked the small atmosphere of the local paper. It is definitely the type of atmosphere I would personally like to start at when coming out of the college setting. By speaking to the editor along with the editor of the entertainment section and the other Rowan alumnus, it seems that they all see their positions as a stepping stone to greater opportunities.

I was also very impressed with how they handled our group of students and how they presented themselves along with the multiple offers of internships in addition to part time opportunities.

Overall, I feel our trip to Gloucester County Times was a very influential and informative trip that definitely should be repeated in semesters to come.

rovani

Driving down to Vineland really seemed like a trip to some far off land. On the way, I saw donkeys. I admit that when I got to the printer, i was expecting some outdated place with a hand crank that produced like a page an hour. I was pleasantly surprised.
I don't like taking pictures, which is why I am really not visible in the picture that was taken at the trip. that being said, I think it was nice of them to give us copies of the picture. I did not go into the dark room because the door kinda freaked me out, but I liked everything else about the place. I really like how the pages are printed with the different color combinations. I think the blue and red made the best print because it was purplish. It would be good for me, but not for most people. I guess they need all the colors.

Rovani Graphics

The trip to Rovani graphics was, in my opinion, the most interesting one yet. We got to see an actual printing room and the machinery involved. The brief side quest into the darkroom was a lot of fun, since I haven't seen one in years.

I think my favorite part of the whole thing was seeing an entire printing operation within a small building. It's the kind of thing I would probably like to do for a living - or at least for a little while. The people are obviously tight-knit and fun to work with, which is a great companion to how in-depth their knowledge was.

Additionally, I appreciated their honesty. They gave us a pretty solid example of a time when they managed to botch a product. That's the kind of thing you don't see too often; typically a place of business will only let you know the sunshine and roses aspect of their particular field. It's nice to know that this class is showing us every side to the industry.

Rovani Graphics Reaction

I believe that this trip has been the best, although the Barnes and Noble Bookstore is hard to beat. Jim Simpkins, owner of Rovani Graphics, was extremely helpful and informative about the publishing and printing industry. He described what a piece that needs to be printed, has to go through in order to receive the completed project.

Simpkins was kind enough to show us his entire process and I was fascinated how his whole company is green. It is green because it completely environmentally friendly, and I think that is a very important asset. He also explained how expensive mistakes can be, and how it is imperative that no mistakes are made. It was made very clear to all of the students that there is a difference between an “A job” and a “B job”, and that the “B jobs” do not cut it in the real world.

“You can get away with B or C jobs in college, but not in the real world,” said Simpkins.

After the tour was over, Simpkins and employees handed us a picture of the group from the beginning of the tour, and a paper pad. The coolest part about the paper pad was that it had all of his contact information on it. The business card was also included in the grouping. He also showed me his desktop calendar and how it had the same contact information, a ruler, and all of their packages. I thought this was a very innovative way to help gain customers, and keep customers.

Recap

It was odd visiting Rovani Graphics, because I felt like I was home. The company is just like my high school printshop, only slightly larger. Since I spent a good chunk of my high school life in that printshop, I already knew several of the things we discussed, although it was a nice refresher.

One part of the printing process, which I didn't really know anything about since my printshop only printed in black, was the way the printers print color and the sheets with different colors. Plus, the colors and prints were so pure and clear - something my printshop also lacked.

I especially enjoyed traveling through the *magic* door into the darkroom. My printshop also had one and we used to trick people into going into them and then ending up in this creepy red-light world.

As a side note: the to-do list pads (with business card) that they handed out are a GREAT promotional item. Every sheet has Rovani Graphics written on it but not in an annoying, makes-you-not-want-to-use-it way.

Rovani Graphics inc. Trip

This was by far my favorite field trip. I wasn't sure what to expect after pulling into the driveway, but I was pleasantly surprised. The guys who gave us the tour seemed so excited to have us there. You could tell they really loved their jobs and felt strongly about passing on the tradition and their skills to their families. They were very welcoming, and succeeded at making a trip that could have been boring into something really fun. Their enthusiasm seemed to spread to the rest of us. It was also very nice of them to give us all prints of the picture they took, along with stationary.

Even though I never considered working with that aspect of publishing (working the machines, etc), if I worked in a place with a family atmosphere like that I think I could do anything and be happy. I only wish that we had more questions to ask them, because even though I was very interested in what they were saying, I felt like I didn't know what type of questions to ask about their business and everyday schedule.

Rovani Randomness

     When we first pulled up to Rovani Graphics Inc., we weren’t sure we had found the right place. I’m glad that we ventured in anyway though, because I really enjoyed our visit to Rovani, even if the realistic heads sitting in the window were a bit freaky at first (can’t wait to see the picture you took Monda). Jim seemed very excited to have us to show around his shop. I felt bad when he would ask “Any questions?” so expectantly because I almost wanted to ask a question just to show him we were interested, but he had done such a great job of explaining everything, that there really wasn’t much left to ask.

     I really liked the dark room, mostly because the door into it was so much fun. Just kidding. Actually, the dark room reminded me of when I took a photography class in high school and loved it, but I was sad to hear they were just going to be throwing away that old machine. I guess I can’t blame them, but it just seems like a shame that it’s going to go to waste. I also found their cutting machine interesting, because it was a giant-sized version of the machine we had when I used to work at Office Depot. I had always been amazed that ours could cut hundreds of sheets at a time, but the fact that the machine at Rovani could cut thousands at a time (and much thicker paper) made the other paper cutter seem silly.

     Over all, I really liked going to Rovani. It was neat to see how printing projects go from start to finish, and I think I got some valuable insight into how to work with printers to ensure a successful printing.

-Erin

Rovani Graphics: A Welcome Little Surprise

The trip to Rovani Graphics was very interesting. The amount of work that goes into one publication, no matter how small the project looks, is unbelievable. The equipment was very impressive and the staff equally so. Everyone was very nice and helpful and really offered valuable advice about professionalism. I was amazed that so much activity and such beautiful work could come out of such a small little building. The samples of work they showed us were really beautiful. I thought the dark room was very interesting. I really loved looking at the different inks and the machine used to apply them. It was massive and I couldn’t imagine how something so big and ugly, and stained could create such a great looking publication. I also thought the cutter was impressive (and scary) as well as the machine that applied perforations to brochures, pamphlets, etc. Overall, I thought it was a surprising trip, and I was glad I went. I definitely think it had value not just to those of us looking for a career in publication layout and design, but to everyone, because it helped you realize the amount of work that goes into every advertisement, flyer, publication, etc. that you have ever come across.

Rovani Graphics

Following our trip to Rovani Graphics, I must admit my first perceptions of the industry changed tremendously. When I first found out that the class was going to a printer, I was not very interested. Once we got to Rovani's facility, I must say that I was extremely impressed with their overall operation. I imagined in my head a run down building with a bunch of really old machine, but Rovani turned out to be the exact opposite. Their entire operation was extremely professional and upscale in my opinion. The building were very well maintained and the entire staff was very friendly. The most interesting aspect of the trip was seeing the many phases a document goes through before landing in the consumers hands. I really thought that somebody designed the material on a computer and simply printed it out. I had no idea that their are so many different steps in creating such things as brochures and flyers.

Personally, I could not believe the amount of money and time one simple mistake in a publication could cost the printer. When I heard that because someone made an error in a woman's name cost the printer thousands of dollars, I almost fell to the floor. I just assumed that because of the error, the printer would take off 5% or something, not thousands of dollars. The trip really showed me an aspect of the printing industry which I was unaware of. Not only did I find out inside information from a printer, but I know now how lucrative the printing industry can be.

Rovani Graphics

Following our trip to Rovani Graphics, I must admit my first perceptions of the industry changed tremendously. When I first found out that the class was going to a printer, I was not very interested. Once we got to Rovani's facility, I must say that I was extremely impressed with their overall operation. I imagined in my head a run down building with a bunch of really old machine, but Rovani turned out to be the exact opposite. Their entire operation was extremely professional and upscale in my opinion. The building were very well maintained and the entire staff was very friendly. The most interesting aspect of the trip was seeing the many phases a document goes through before landing in the consumers hands. I really thought that somebody designed the material on a computer and simply printed it out. I had no idea that their are so many different steps in creating such things as brochures and flyers.

Personally, I could not believe the amount of money and time one simple mistake in a publication could cost the printer. When I heard that because someone made an error in a woman's name cost the printer thousands of dollars, I almost fell to the floor. I just assumed that because of the error, the printer would take off 5% or something, not thousands of dollars. The trip really showed me an aspect of the printing industry which I was unaware of. Not only did I find out inside information from a printer, but I know now how lucrative the printing industry can be.