Follow the Signs: Career Journeys in the Sign 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. To mark this year’s Sign Manufacturing Day, FASTSIGNS celebrated the holiday by showcasing the longevity and excitement of a career in the industry.

By FASTSIGNS

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.

Mission-Focused Franchisee

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.

“I love signs, and I love people,” she said. “The sign industry gives me the opportunity to get to know people.”

Several years later, she returned to FASTSIGNS of Apopka as the sales and marketing manager. In 2017, the opportunity to purchase FASTSIGNS of Daytona Beach arose, and she jumped.

Ruiz and her team experience success because of the relationships they build with their clients and community. She has worked to highlight their capabilities within the market. She and her team strive to be wise stewards, intentional in their projects, and they work strategically with their time, energy and resources.

“My role as franchisee provides me the opportunity to solve customer challenges, and I love when customers get excited because we provided an awesome solution for them,” Ruiz said. “My business also gives me the flexibility to make an impact in the community that I love.”

In the FASTSIGNS network, franchisees are encouraged to leverage their creativity and businesses to engage directly with their customer base, build local relationships, and be the face of their business in the community.

Carmen acknowledges that transformation is at the heart of the sign industry, and she and her team strive to embody that concept and transform their community. They try to focus on “work that matters” to show that they are an engaged community partner and are providing a good example of social responsibility. Her team is involved in several philanthropic activities throughout the year.

Every Day Brings Excitement for FASTSIGNS Employees

An interesting career path led Maria del Fierro to employment in the custom sign and visual solutions industry.

Now a graphic design/production manager and master of many skills at FASTSIGNS of San Diego, Calif. - Mira Mesa, del Fierro initially went into the medical field after graduating from the Art Institute of California - San Diego. She quickly realized she did not want to be in the medical field, and the Art Institute helped her find her position at FASTSIGNS.

In almost eight years since joining FASTSIGNS, her role has grown beyond graphic design. She is cross-trained in the different roles at FASTSIGNS from production to installation, and she is able to do everything from vehicle wraps to window graphics and more.

“There’s not a dull moment at FASTSIGNS,” del Fierro said. “I love being in the center.”

With her keen eye for design and skills to build, she is an incredible asset at her center, especially when it comes to making things happen for customers.

“If there’s a will, there’s a way,” she said. “Try to think of everything like a puzzle or map. Find layers and see how you might build it out. If you have a big idea, just go for it. You’ll hit bumps, but don’t forget your goal. Keep that in mind as you’re working to complete the project.”

Open Your Mind to a Career in Signs

The sign industry, and specifically FASTSIGNS, is a place where collaboration is encouraged and creativity and innovation are fueled. Local centers are made up of people who consult, design, engineer, produce and install. In the sign industry, every day is truly unique and presents exciting opportunities, including new ways to use talent and grow skills.

By utilizing cutting-edge technology, sign experts transform ideas into custom signs and visual solutions that make an impact.

At the end of the day, signs help businesses and organizations visually communicate their message and ultimately make communities more organized, connected and interesting.