Students and alumni can attend a wide range of presentations, workshops, and recruiting events to enhance their career development.

We offer over 30 career programs every academic year. These programs help build skills and knowledge to prepare students and alumni for the professional world. Topics include resume building, portfolio development, interview strategies, networking, freelancing, and much more! Additionally, we also put on multiple recruiting events each year that connect students with employers and professionals. Explore the calendar below to learn more about upcoming events, and students can also check their RISD email for weekly updates from us about career programs.

Fall Career Programs

Prep to Connect

PREPARE FOR INTERNSHIP CONNECT 

October 9, 2024 / 20 Washington Place Auditorium / 7:00 PM EST

Hear everything you need to know to meet with companies at Internship Connect on October 23rd! Learn how to speak with them professionally and what questions to ask about their internships. Discover what they might expect from you. Determine what materials to prepare before the event. Hear the best ways to follow up with them and find out how to successfully use LinkedIn to research companies and network before and after Internship Connect. 

First Year Undergraduate Students are not eligible to attend Internship Connect, but they are welcome to attend this prep program to learn about opportunities for next year.

visa options

US VISA OPTIONS FOR ARTISTS AND PROFESSIONALS

October 10, 2024 / Live Webinar / 7:00 PM EST

Gain information and guidance on which visas might be available to F-1 visa holders after OPT. Immigration attorney, Eileen Morrison, will present visa eligibility details for visas such as the H-1B, O1, EB2, TN and more. Please be sure to join us for this informative session and bring any questions that you have related to what you hope to do after graduation. This program is offered by OISS and they will also hold separate sessions specifically on OPT and the application process. This session is open to all U.S. visa holders.

STUDENT RSVP

Networking

NETWORKING & BUILDING PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

October 17, 2024 / Tap Room / 7:00 PM EST

Networking is a vital part of a successful creative career, but often artists and designers are uncertain how to start building professional connections. The good news is that networking doesn't have to be scary, intimidating, or inauthentic. Networking is really just about building relationships over time to create a shared community of fellow creatives who support each other.

In this session, we'll answer questions like: Why do you need a network? What are the best resources to help you connect with people? What do you say to professionals? We'll explore key tools like LinkedIn, RISD alumni & affinity groups, professional associations, and more! By the end of this session, you will feel more confident in your ability to network in a meaningful and authentic way. 

STUDENT RSVP

Career Options in Art & Design

CAREER OPTIONS IN ART AND DESIGN

October 19, 2024 / Metcalf Auditorium / 3:00 PM EST

How do you take your incredible RISD studio experiences and apply them to the professional world? Hear how students and alumni utilize their skills and creative thinking across numerous fields and markets including art, design, social justice, sustainability, technology, business, healthcare and more. Discover how you can find opportunities, network with professionals, and develop career options that align with your interests. Learn how to prepare for what you want and how to access career resources to support you.

STUDENT RSVP

brooks running

BROOKS RUNNING: INFO SESSION

October 23, 2024 / 20 Washington Place Lobby / 12:00 PM EST

Learn from their hiring teams about their summer internships in Apparel Material Development and Footwear Material Development. They'll speak to their own career experiences in the space at Brooks and you’ll gain insights on their company ethos: At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

STUDENT RSVP

Internship Connect

INTERNSHIP CONNECT

October 23, 2024 / RI Convention Center / 4:00 PM EST

Internship Connect is your chance to speak directly with companies and organizations seeking RISD interns! Learn about their internship opportunities and practice how you introduce yourself to professionals. Make contacts with key people and gain valuable tips on presenting a strong application. Be prepared before the event with the materials they would like to see. Make a lasting impression and stay connected to the professionals you meet for future opportunities.

Please note: First Year Undergraduate Students are not eligible to do internships for credit during their first summer at RISD and are therefore unable to attend this event.

STUDENT RSVP

Urvi Sharma

ART OF BUSINESS SERIES: BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE STUDIO PRACTICE AFTER SCHOOL

October 29, 2024 / Live Webinar / 7:00 PM EST

Join Urvi Sharma as she shares her journey after graduating from RISD, including working for a RISD alum, starting her own studio, being on a TV show, going through challenges and engaging with her community when she needed help. Learn about how her RISD education, network and resources helped her get started and grow to become a thriving, sustainable studio/ business today. This talk will be especially helpful for those who know they want to do something on their own after school, but aren't quite sure where to start. 

STUDENT RSVP

 Maharam Info Session

MAHARAM FELLOWSHIP INFO SESSION

November 12, 2024 / 20 Washington Place Auditorium / 7:00 PM EST

Receive $5,000 for your summer internship and be part of RISD's prestigious Maharam Fellowship! Learn everything you need to know to make a strong and compelling application. This award has been opening new avenues for RISD talent in organizations where artists and designers are not typically found or where artists/designers can contribute to the mission of the organization in a meaningful way. Maharam is committed to making the art and design world more fair, diverse, and creative. The Fellowship will support internship work that aspires to advance social progress or safeguard the environment or even combine both of these important issues. At the Info Session, you’ll learn about the Fellowship and hear from past RISD Fellows about their successful experiences.

STUDENT RSVP

Exploring Artist Residencies

EXPLORING ARTIST RESIDENCIES

November 14, 2024 / Live Webinar / 7:00 PM EST

Learn how residencies can support you with time and space for your practice while expanding your resources - including access to equipment, connection to community, and new exhibition opportunities. They can also provide you with a great summer internship! You'll hear how residencies are research and development labs for the arts with over 500 programs in the U.S and more than 1,500 world-wide. Discover resources to help you find programs focused on your social practice, the environment, and the sciences, as these residencies bring together artists, designers, and scholars from all disciplines.

STUDENT RSVP

museum careers

MUSEUM CAREERS: PATHWAYS AND OPPORTUNITIES

November 19, 2024 / RISD Museum / 7:00 PM EST

From community engagement to publication design, from curatorial work to textile conservation, there are a multitude of career paths in the museum world - and many other ways to work with museums and institutions as an artist. Learn about these opportunities and the skills you need to pursue them firsthand from RISD Museum staff. Discover unexpected roles in museums, gain an understanding of the work they do, and learn how to seek out opportunities that interest you.

STUDENT RSVP

Margarita Rosa

ART OF BUSINESS SERIES: INSTAGRAM ESSENTIALS & DIGITAL MARKETING

November 20, 2024 / Live Webinar / 7:00 PM EST

This workshop will cover the essentials of building an online presence as an artist or designer. Discover how to transform your Instagram profile into a powerful portfolio that resonates with curators and clients. Learn advanced techniques in digital marketing, audience engagement, and branding to elevate your artistic profile. This workshop goes beyond basics, equipping you with the tools to cultivate a dynamic online presence and strategically position yourself for success in contemporary art and design landscapes. Build meaningful industry connections and thematic narratives around your work. 

STUDENT RSVP