Stephanie Camp is in the midst of a career reset, attempting to rekindle the artful passion she never left fully behind.
Camp, 35, of El Reno, first pursued college after graduating high school in 2009. A health setback and academic burnout interrupted her path before she could complete a degree. Over the next few years, she stayed connected to art and design and worked intermittently in the field without formal training.
That changed when she enrolled in Canadian Valley Technology Center’s Graphic Design program last year, determined to refine her skills and turn experience into expertise. She is part of a growing trend of adult learners who comprise about 25 percent of CV Tech’s student population.
“I decided to throw my hat in the ring and return to school for something I had loved from the beginning,” she said. “I have learned that no matter your age, there truly are no limits to the potential you hold at CV Tech. I found that the instructor was very accommodating to me and my age and graded me on what was based on my talent and what was good for me – not just good across the board.”
CV Tech’s program blends technical training with creative development, preparing students for entry-level roles in print shops and sublimation studios. Students work extensively with Adobe Creative Cloud tools such as InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop while building a foundation in composition, color theory, typography and layout.
The hands-on component mirrors real-world production environments. Students operate large-format printers, use sublimation equipment and produce banners and other commercial materials. Alongside these technical skills, they develop critical habits in file management, conceptual thinking and rapid idea generation—skills essential in fast-paced design settings.
Camp said that balance between structure and independence is what makes the program stand out.
“The instructor has you sketch things quickly to come up with ideas bouncing around in your head before they are gone,” she said. “I like that after a few class-led assignments, students start branching off and working at their own pace. I feel like this class is wonderful for anyone older like me who wants to enter the workforce immediately but also for those who plan to go to college.”
That workforce transition is already taking shape. Camp plans to launch her own small graphic design business, applying both the technical training and creative confidence she has gained. She also hopes to continue her education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in design at the University of Central Oklahoma.
For others considering a similar path, Camp offers straightforward advice rooted in her own experience.
“Consider it your first job,” she said. “Never say you can’t. Figure out how you can. The beauty of graphic design is that there are many ways to do things.”
