Career Services

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 and Library Resources

Career and job search resources are primarily available through the MIAD Handshake website and the MIAD Library.

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 also 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. Examples include Academic Success Center, Admissions, Café, Career Services, Equity + Inclusion Center, Facilities, Financial Aid, Galleries, Institutional Advancement, Labs (3-D, Emerging Technology, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Textiles), Library, Maintenance, Pre-College, Reception, Residence Hall, Student Services, Technology Support. 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 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-based financial aid to students that allows them to earn money by working part-time on MIAD’s campus. When a student is eligible for FWS, his or her chances of being hired on-campus may increase. Questions regarding FWS eligibility should be directed to the MIAD Financial Aid Staff.