Career Services
Career Resources
MIAD Career Services offers students a variety of resources to supplement their education and help them achieve their professional goals. Information is available to students from their first year through their senior year and as a MIAD graduate.
Career & Professional Development Resources
Career services staff offer resources and advice to students as they learn of and research career options and pursue their professions of choice. Common topics of discussion include:
- Assessing interests and skills
- Exploring visual design and art professions
- Developing resumes/profiles, cover/application letters, and other job search correspondence
- Preparing for and practicing for interviews
- Researching prospective employers
- Networking with professionals, including alumni
- Becoming involved with professional associations and organizations
- Using job listing resources
- Learning about salaries and benefits
- Preparing for self-employment and freelancing
- Locating opportunities for exhibiting and selling artwork
- Researching and applying to graduate schools, artist residencies, and other post-graduate education and training opportunities
- Pursuing grants and funding
Career Web & Library Resources
Career and job search resources are primarily available through the MIAD Handshake website and the MIAD Library.
Three resources openly available online are the “MIAD Careers in Art & Design” booklet, the “MIAD Majors: Example Job Titles and Types of Businesses” document, and the “MIAD Professional Preparation Plan”.
The MIAD Careers in Arts & Design booklet is an introduction to the variety of creative focused careers. The booklet is organized by career areas with each having a brief description, a few common job titles and types of businesses, MIAD majors and minors that connect with the career area, and additional professional resources.
The MIAD Majors: Example Job Titles and Types of Businesses document provides detailed lists. Each MIAD major has a range of professional/job titles connected to that major and the types of businesses where graduates of those majors can be employed.
The MIAD Professional Preparation Plan is a guide for students as they progress through their class levels from first year through senior year. Within each class level there are specific recommendations for how students can engage in professional development and academic advising activities in addition to their class involvement.
Handshake is a web-based system with curated opportunities for visual art/design students and graduates. The opportunities include professional jobs (full-time, part-time, temporary/seasonal); professional experience opportunities such as internships, co-ops, and fellowships; freelance and commission projects; exhibiting opportunities. The Handshake site also contains a searchable directory of businesses/organizations who are prospective employers/clients. Student/graduate profiles that are viewed by employers can be set up on the Handshake system. The site also contains a resources section with additional career/professional information for seeking professional opportunities and locating employer prospects. Handshake can be accessed through the MIAD OneLogin web page.
The MIAD Library has a “Career Section” with a variety of career and professional development books. They contain detailed information about specific art/design careers and how to prepare oneself for specific professions. In addition, the library subscribes to many profession-specific magazines.
Students are strongly encouraged to regularly use the above resources to learn about the variety of career opportunities available to designers and artists and to develop a strategy on how to become engaged with their profession and pursue opportunities. Any questions relating to careers and professional development opportunities may be directed to the Career Services Staff.
On-Campus Employment
On-campus jobs are available in several departments throughout the MIAD community. Some examples include the Academic Success Center, admissions, financial aid or career services offices, MIAD , Café, Facilities, Galleries, labs, library, student apartments, technology support, youth and community programs and more. The demand for on-campus jobs is high. We cannot guarantee an on-campus job to all students who are seeking employment. We encourage students to be open with their options. Students who are willing to work in a variety of departments will have a better chance of securing an on-campus job. Students are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week (total of all jobs on-campus) during the academic year.
On-Campus Job Postings
On-campus jobs are posted on the MIAD Handshake website. Most are posted near the start of each semester. Students apply and interview directly with the appropriate supervisor as indicated in the job postings.
Federal Work Study (FWS) Program
The Federal Work Study (FWS) program provides need-base