Career Services at Otis College supports students and alumni with personalized advising and opportunities that extend beyond graduation.
Career Services at Otis College plays a central role in helping students translate their education into fulfilling professional pathways in art, design, and creative industries. From the beginning of a student’s academic experience through graduation and beyond, the Career Services team provides ongoing support and resources designed to build career readiness.
Rather than treating career development as a final step before graduation, the office emphasizes a sustained approach. Students are encouraged to begin engaging with Career Services when they start their studies at Otis, allowing them to develop professional materials and become familiar with the resources available to them.
This long-view framework ensures that students are prepared to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. In fact, 96% of recent Otis graduates polled were employed or in graduate school within one year of graduation.
Ways to Engage
Career Services’ work is centered on individualized support. Through one-on-one advising appointments, students receive guidance tailored to their goals and stage of development. These conversations often include career exploration, internship options (with support from Otis’s new Internship Equity Fund), and detailed feedback on professional materials such as resumes, cover letters, portfolios, and artist statements. Advising sessions also provide space to prepare for interviews, refine networking approaches, and navigate graduate school options.
Weekly walk-in hours are offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and are designed for quick questions, advising conversations, or follow-up support that does not require a full appointment.
In addition to personalized advising, Career Services offers a robust schedule of workshops throughout the academic year, often open to both students and alumni. These sessions cover essential topics including networking and interview preparation. Programming extends to workplace readiness, graduate school preparation, and applying for competitive opportunities, including residencies and fellowships. These workshops provide practical tools and context that support students and alumni at different stages of their professional development.
Career Services also facilitates direct connections between students and industry professionals through employer-facing events. These include information sessions, portfolio reviews, and the annual Internship and Recruitment Day, which connects students with industry partners and potential employers, helping students gain a clear understanding of expectations within their chosen field.
To help the Otis community navigate the job search process, Career Services offers Career Planning Checklists for BFA and MFA students and alumni with detailed outlines on tracking progress and cultivating professional networks. The checklists offer guidance on exploring career options, building professional materials, and taking advantage of opportunities.
Handshake, an app tailored for college students, alumni, and early-career professionals, serves as the primary platform for Career Services. Otis students and alumni can use the app to schedule advising appointments, register for workshops and events, and explore internship and job opportunities. The Career Services webpage offers instructional videos on how best to use Handshake.
Lifelong Access
Otis alumni retain access to Career Services, reflecting the understanding that career development is a lifelong process. Alumni can use Handshake to explore current opportunities and schedule career advising appointments. They are also encouraged to attend one-on-one sessions as their careers evolve. Whether navigating a job search, making a career transition, updating a portfolio, or preparing for interviews, alumni have access to the same personalized support as current Otis students.
“The first year after graduation is a period of transition, and continued engagement with Career Services can be especially valuable during this time. Alumni are encouraged to stay connected with us as they refine their portfolios, pursue employment opportunities, or consider additional education,” says Associate Director of Employer Engagement and Alumni Relations Keenan Jones.
Alumni are also encouraged to stay informed by subscribing to the alumni newsletter and following Otis College on its various social media platforms, including LinkedIn, for updates on events and community news.
Through personalized advising, structured programming, industry connections, and lifelong access, Career Services at Otis College provides a comprehensive framework that supports students and alumni as they navigate and grow within the creative industries.
Meet the Career Services team.
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