The Young Alumni Panel, held on Oct. 14, brought together recent graduates of the College of Design back to campus to speak with current students about the job search process and the transition from student to work life.
This was the third Young Alumni Panel coordinated by Amanda Williams, Director of Career and Academic Advising of the College of Design and graduate intern Allison Van Den Berg.
“The College of Design is a close-knit community,” Williams said. “This is the perfect type of opportunity to be able to invite these young professionals back to campus to interact with our students.”
The goal of the event is for students to get information from recent graduates of the College of Design, according to Williams.
“It’s always nice for students to hear from their peers and their recent colleagues,” Williams said.
The panelists included a representative from each of the five undergraduate design programs at NC State: industrial design, architecture, art and design, landscape architecture and graphic design.
“We just hope [students] come away with a little bit more confidence in their own job search and understand that there can be challenges but there are also a lot of benefits,” Williams said.
The panelists offered advice and discussed their personal experience searching for jobs after graduation.
“I came mainly because I haven’t really started thinking about job search experience or the job search criteria,” said Austin Chappell, a sophomore in architecture. “I kind of want to just get the ball rolling.”
Kristen Veloza, a panelist and graduate from the architecture program, said she applied to about 30 or 40 architecture firms after graduation, but only heard back from one.
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and reach out to people,” said Paula Besterman, a panelist and graduate from the industrial design program.
Panelists gave students tips to perfect their portfolio, an essential element for searching for jobs in design industries and provided advice for making their work known.
“When you have your portfolio out there it encourages conversation about it,” said Mack Garrison, a panelist graduating from the art and design program.
Panelists discussed the importance of networking and “getting your foot in the door.”
“Companies are more likely to hire someone they have some kind of connection to,” said Betsy Peters, a panelist graduating from the graphic design program. She advised students to “stay busy in that design mindset.”
The panelists also discussed some of the challenges with transitioning from college to career, such as getting used to eight-hour work days and receiving criticism from bosses.
“I’m a graduating senior in graphic design, and it’s really great that the College of Design gives us these opportunities to talk to alumni,” said Lauren Lu, a senior in graphic design. “They give us the tools to get out there and see what’s in store for us when we graduate.”
Before opening up the event up to questions from students, panelists were asked what their advice would be for design students entering the job market.
“When you love what you do and you’re really into it, it makes things a lot easier,” Garrison said.
