From childhood through college, artistic, creative students dedicate time to honing their skills and perfecting their craft. These talents can continue to be utilized as Redbirds enter the workforce, in fact, there are many ways to weave these interests into many career paths.
Career Services, in collaboration with the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, is hosting Creative Con to help creative students do just that. The program connects creative students with alumni and employers with creative skills. Through conversations, activities, and career-focused workshops, Redbirds will explore, reflect, and learn how to act on their creativity in their careers.
Held virtually, the two sessions allow students to connect with different alumni. Students can choose to attend one or both sessions.
Creative Con: Connecting Creative Careers from Any Major, virtual, registration required — Tuesday, September 21, 4-5 p.m.
Creative Con: Connecting Creative Careers from Any Major, virtual, registration required — Tuesday, September 21, 6-7 p.m.
During the sessions, Redbirds will gain tips and strategies on how to make connections in their industries of interest. Students will draft and practice a 30-second commercial to utilize when introducing themselves to professionals. The alumni stories session will feature advice on how to apply creative identities across a broad spectrum of careers.
“The main goal of this program is to help students build confidence in themselves. Students will gain a belief in their own abilities as young professionals and what it’s like to survive as a freelance artist in their chosen field,” said Career Advisor Mark Fauble. “They’ll hear the stories of successful alumni and industry professionals as they navigated their careers, and will leave Creative Con with a lot less anxiety about starting the career search.”
During the transferable skills portion of Creative Con, Redbirds will learn about skills that employers are seeking from any candidate, regardless of major, including career management, intercultural fluency, critical thinking, oral and written communication, creativity, teamwork and collaboration, information technology application, leadership, and professionalism. They will also discover how to apply those skills to creative careers.
Creative Con also educates Redbirds on how to leverage creativity in arts-related and non-arts-related jobs following graduation.
The freelancing and gigging breakout session will encourage students to identify freelance opportunities to include on their resumes. Redbirds will learn how to market their freelance experiences and self-starter skill sets.
Registration is required to attend. For more information or to register, contact Career Services.
Career Services supports Illinois State University’s Educate Connect Elevate: Illinois State—The Strategic Plan for Illinois’ First Public University 2018-2023 by assisting students with developing, evaluating, and implementing career, education, and employment decisions.
