By Neerul Gupta
In September and November 2023, SDCT held the fifth semesterly Career City Limits Speaker Series (CCL). The event included virtual and in-person sessions from top local and major companies, such as Idea Peddler, Bluepoint Games, Iron Galaxy, and Microsoft. Students strengthened their networking skills and connected with representatives seeking creative talent at the University.
The series, originally named Intern City Limits (ICL), was born pre-pandemic. Michaela Newman, current SDCT Industry Relations Coordinator, and Patti Burke, former Industry Relations Manager, were inspired by Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL). They launched ICL as a two-day event in February 2020. In true festival fashion, students chose their best-fit company from concurrent information sessions. Better than ACL, which can cost a pretty penny to attend, students attended the series for free.
“There are full-time career opportunities. There are apprenticeships. Even at a base level, students are developing their careers through networking,” explained Newman.
The series struck a chord with students, and even after the pandemic hit, virtual CCL sessions were a hit. In the spring of 2021, current Industry Relations Manager Jamil Hooper joined SDCT and helped reimagine CCL. He spearheads outreach and invites top companies that our students are interested in.
“Most of the employers connecting with our students genuinely want to share and engage with students, as well as give them instant information that might be helpful as they pursue their careers,” said Hooper.
Students also learn about companies that aren’t on their radar. For example, Newman recalled a popular session with General Motors that provided information about professional opportunities in physician fabrication, 3-D artistry, and textile design. CCL gives a spotlight to companies that may not be traditionally sought after by creative students yet have the perfect roles for them.
It wouldn’t be an SDCT event if there weren’t success stories! Hooper coached former design student Kate Jones to optimize her time at CCL. She expressed interest in design consultancy R/GA at their CCL session. After connecting with the company and continuing communication, Jones joined R/GA for two years after graduating from SDCT. All good things come full circle, and in 2022, Jones returned to CCL and spoke on behalf of R/GA.
Jones’s story is one of many where students have walked away from CCL with connections or roles that set them up for professional success. Some students were from outside SDCT, and one even impressed an employer so much that they created a role for her. SDCT alumni have also come back to CCL to promote the top companies they work at, such as Dreamspace, H-E-B Digital, and Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams (WJHW).
“Seeing people doing what they love and talking about their companies and their cultures, the things that you don't see in the job description or see on a website, is really, really beneficial for our students,” said Hooper.
CCL is two years young and has already altered student professional trajectories … and it’s just getting started. Looking forward, Hooper and Newman will reinvite popular partners and seek new companies, all while revamping the series based on student feedback. After all, students are at the heart of CCL, and they will continue to rock the professional stage in and out of SDCT.