Tips for Students & Alumni

Make a Living Doing What You Love . . .

Whether your discipline is fine arts, design, architecture, or the humanities, braving networking events like the Career Expo is a critical step toward establishing the future of your dreams.

RSVP
The Career Expo is an exclusive job and internship fair, free and open to all students and alumni of CCA.

CCA students and alumni will be asked to submit an RSVP form to attend the event. The opportunity to add your name to our list will open up soon!

What to Expect

Students who attend the Career Expo 2012 will engage in the following:

• Connect with creative directors, designers, publishers, and arts organizations to spark future opportunities
• Show your portfolio and résumé
• Share your vision
• Practice professional preparedness techniques
• Learn more about creative industries and make new contacts

How to Prepare for the Career Expo

• Prepare your résumé and have several people review it. Résumé samples are located in the Student Centers at either campus.
• Schedule an appointment with a career counselor to review your résumé before March 25.
• Use spring break to finalize a compelling résumé and portfolio and prepare for your job search.
• Attend Career Workshops, including Résumé Critiques and Tea, after spring break.
• Discuss presentation, contents, and order of the work in your portfolio with faculty members in your department. (You need not show all your work; limit it to your best work.)
• Make plenty of copies of your résumé to hand out at the Expo.
• Review your experiences and goals so they are fresh in your mind.
• Research all potential employer websites.
• Plan your outfit. Select something professional, clean, and presentable.

At the EXPO

• Keep in mind many companies are interested in meeting students across multiple disciplines. Approach everybody—you never know!
• Introduce yourself (prepare an introduction), and then be prepared to ask information-gathering questions.
• Pick up business cards and literature. Provide company representatives with your resume, and “Leave Behinds” as appropriate.
• For those companies that interest you, inquire as to the best way to keep in touch with the representative after the Expo.

How to Effectively Introduce Yourself

• When introducing yourself to a company representative, immediately apprise the individual of your interests and goals.
• Know why the organization interests you and express your related skills, accomplishments, and goals in a clear, concise manner.
• Identify at least two specific experiences that illustrate your skills and strengths.
• Practice. You want to sound natural, rather than robotic or nervous.
• Smile and demonstrate a positive and cheerful attitude.

Still have questions? Please contact Career Services.