Students on the Hunt for jobs: SCAD-Atlanta students travel to Savannah for career fair

By Rachel Chaikof

A large group of students from SCAD-Atlanta trekked to Savannah for a day to attend the Career Fair on April 4th. The Career Fair was packed and lines were lengthy at some of the recruiters’ tables, particularly Turner Broadcasting. This trip certainly seemed like an uncommon opportunity for students to get more information about jobs and internships.

Speaking about the trip, Mary Neely, senior career advisor, said, “the Career Fair gave students the opportunity to meet and network with key people involved in making decisions at many of the best companies in their industry.”

Some students went to find internships for the summer or during the school year. “I wanted to find out about upcoming summer internships and learn more about other companies that look new to me,” said Jason Brown, a third-year animation student.

Some students also went to find possible post-graduation jobs. “As a graduating senior, I realized that the Career Fair has a wonderful opportunity to share hands and build contacts with people within the industry,” said Jaia Terry, a third-year animation student.Students had the opportunity to present their portfolios and receive feedback regarding their work. “I got to network and get my work critiqued. The feedback was constructive and beneficial,” said Mike Albuquerque, a first-year graduate advertising student. Terry said that she was able to learn what some of her target companies were looking for on a demo reel. “It’s really important to ask because of their likes were very surprising,” Terry said.
Neely also pointed out that those students who had not yet developed their portfolios were able to see the caliber of the portfolios being presented and to begin formulating ideas for their own portfolios. She also said, “some were able to have more in-depth conversations with employers, moving them into the interview process.”

Everyone who participated now has valuable contacts with whom they can follow-up in their efforts to land internships and jobs following graduation, according to Neely. “I certainly met several companies that had the chance to have a personal contact with me while I got to know more about their work,” said Fehpe Pombo, second-year graphic design student.

In addition to the recruiters at the Career Fair, there were four art and business workshops: entrepreneurship for artists and designers, how to develop a business plan, power branding for artist and designers and artist’s representatives panel. There was also an alumni panel, which allowed students to hear first-hand experiences from graduates about life in the “real world,” according to Neely. Graduates presented information on their projects and shared their experiences regarding interviewing, getting a job and expanding their roles and responsibilities. Students were able to ask questions and gain insights and tips on how to maneuver through process of landing the right opportunity.