Student Name________________________________________
Major: ___________________
Advisor Name: ______________________________________ Graduation Date: ______________
Career Services’ Four-Year, Developmental Plan:
Checklist for Professional Success
First Year – Laying the Foundation: Explore Self and Careers, Build Networking Skills
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Get involved on campus- MCA student alliance or clubs, student activities;
Schedule a meeting with your faculty advisor and meet with them in their office;
Get involved professionally- local art community, volunteer, part-time job, work study, Give
Back program;
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Apply for at least one art exhibition/call for entry;
Attend at least two Career Services workshops;
Attend at least two visiting artists’ talks;
Focus on making good grades-get help from the Student Achievement counselors if needed;
Create/update your resume;
Research careers to narrow down your major choice if you have not already done so.
Second Year- Construction: Build Career Planning Skills and Knowledge Base
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Prioritize campus and community involvement to include only what is meaningful to you as
an artist and for your professional goals;
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Contact Career Services to learn about “shadowing” a professional artist;
Research careers and discuss professional goals with your academic advisor;
Take on freelance projects or an art-related part-time job;
Apply for at least one art exhibition/call for entry;
Attend at least two Career Services workshops;
Attend at least two visiting artists’ talks;
Create/update your resume;
Attend an internship orientation and review internship opportunities;
Discuss internship opportunities with your academic advisor;
Conduct informational interviews with a professional artist or at an organization of interest
and/or participate in one of the field trips offered by career services or faculty;
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4.1.14
Focus on making good grades-get help from the Student Achievement counselors if needed;
Choose your major if you have not already done so.
Student Name________________________________________
Major: ___________________
Advisor Name: ______________________________________ Graduation Date: ______________
Third Year – Professional Development Focus: Goals, Technical and “Soft” Skills
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Register for and complete an internship!
Register for and complete the Professional Practices course;
If considering graduate school, attend a graduate school workshop (fall semester);
Apply for at least one art exhibition/call for entry;
Attend at least two Career Services workshops;
Attend at least two visiting artists’ talks;
Create/update your resume;
Attend the Career Fair;
Research careers and discuss professional goals with your academic advisor;
Conduct informational interviews with a professional artist or at an organization of interest
and/or participate in one of the field trips offered by career services or faculty;
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Inquire and/or participate in the MCA Alumni Mentor Partner program.
Fourth Year – Preparing to Launch: Complete Degree and Develop Plan of Action
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Complete a second internship (1st semester);
If considering graduate school, attend the graduate school workshop and the Graduate
National Portfolio Day (fall semester);
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Apply to graduate school if applicable (1st semester);
Apply for at least one art exhibition/call for entry;
Set up appointment with Career Services to discuss post-graduate opportunities;
Attend all of the career services orientations and workshops appropriate for seniors;
Finalize portfolio and résumé; have them reviewed by faculty, visiting artists, and/or career
services to receive valuable feedback;
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4.1.14
Develop web presence that includes current work and resume/bio;
Research potential employers/galleries for interviews and submissions;
Participate in the MCA Alumni Mentor Partner program.
Complete BFA show (last semester);
Attend the Career Fair.
Student Name________________________________________
Major: ___________________
Advisor Name: ______________________________________ Graduation Date: ______________
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4.1.14
Graduate!