Career paths rarely follow a road map with signs pointing the way, and it can often take some time to find the perfect path to a rewarding career. Sometimes, however, signs do point the way, especially if you choose a job in the signage industry.

The visual communications industry, covering $37.5 billion in economic impact, employs over 200,000 people in America. An industry that’s attractive to creatives, it offers a long-term, rewarding career with growth potential. This year, for Sign Manufacturing Day, FASTSIGNS celebrated the holiday by showcasing the longevity and excitement of a career in the industry.

Carmen Ruiz, franchisee at FASTSIGNS of Daytona Beach, Fla., began her career in the sign industry outside of the FASTSIGNS network. After high school graduation, she eventually joined FASTSIGNS of Apopka, Fla., in 2005. She briefly diverged from the path and went to work for the Apopka Chamber of Commerce with the longest-serving mayor in the U.S. for a time, but she missed FASTSIGNS.