MIAD Family Forum – Page 3 – Supporting your student's success

How your student can prepare to declare a major

It’s time for First-Year Experience (FYE) students to declare a major! Major Declaration Day is Wednesday, November 6. At this event, your student can declare their major of choice and begin to interact with Department chairs, continuing students and alumni with a more intentional focus and direction.

Before that day, FYE students should research and reflect on what path they may want to take.

This quarter, they received a Professional Preparation Plan (PPP) guidebook, and Careers in Art & Design booklet. These resources not only help them consider the journey of their academic engagement, but also how they can begin career development as an aspiring professional.

Feel free to read the provided academic and career development materials, and use them as a conversation starter to inquire:

What mediums are you using in class? Which do you like the best?
Have you identified your skills and interests both inside and outside the classroom?
Have you begun researching the majors and occupations related to degrees offered at MIAD?

Faculty and staff have crafted videos about the majors that we encourage you and your student to view:

Industrial/Product Design

Interior Architecture and Design

New Studio Practice: Fine Arts

Communication Design

Illustration

If your student has questions about academic programs or career options, they can contact:

Director of Advising Alea Cross, aleacross@miad.edu
Associate Director of Career Services Christina WickHeiser, christinawickheiser@miad.edu

Class registration and the FAFSA: What are the next steps?

October is a busy month. The FAFSA is now available, and parents and students may begin the process of securing financial aid.

Also, registration for Spring 2020 classes begins the week of November 11, and students should begin to prepare now.

FAFSA

Students who will attend MIAD in the fall of 2020 can begin the process of securing financial aid now at www.fafsa.gov. Here is an overview of the FAFSA filing and financial aid timeline:

Students should file a 2020-2021 FAFSA for financial aid for the 2020-2021 academic year using your 2018 IRS tax return info.
The IRS Data Retrieval tool allows you to import 2018 tax data directly from the IRS. MIAD strongly encourages all FAFSA applicants to use this tool, as it provides the most accurate data.
The Department of Education randomly selects one out of every three FAFSA applicants for “Verification.” If your student is selected for verification, they will receive an email from the Financial Aid Office asking for specific documentation required to complete verification. Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA to import your 2018 federal tax information will simplify the verification process.
If you utilize the Parent PLUS loan to cover the outstanding balance for tuition and fees at MIAD or Room and Board expenses, you must apply for the PLUS loan each year. The Department of Education must perform an annual credit check to confirm eligibility. The application for a Parent PLUS loan is available online at studentloans.gov after April 15, 2020.

MIAD’s Financial Aid Office can assist you and your student through the 2020-2021 financial aid process. Please contact the Financial Aid Office with any questions.

Spring 2020 Registration

Encourage your student to check their email regularly. Registration information will be sent to them on October 21.
Ask your student when they will meet with their advisor to review registration materials.
Make sure your child’s account is up to date. Outstanding balances may affect their spring registration. Contact the Business Office with questions or concerns.

MIAD Seeks Comments for Accreditation Process

The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) seeks comments from the public about the College in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. The College will host a visit from the Higher Learning Commission November 10 – 12, 2019.

All comments must be received by October 10.

The Commission has accredited MIAD since 1987. The team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation.

The public is invited to submit substantive comments relating to the quality of the college or its academic programs. Comments must be in writing through the following link:

https://hlcommission.org/Student-Resources/third-party-comment.html

Comments may also be sent to:

Public Comment on MIAD
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411

Checking In With Your Student – What to Discuss?

MIAD Advising supports the personal and the academic growth of each student, new and returning.

Now is a moment for students to reflect: How am I adjusting to college? While some may be adjusting seamlessly, others may need to make adjustments to be more successful while navigating homesickness and other anxiety-producing uncertainties. Alea Cross, Director of Advising MIAD’s Advising Office has tips for supporting your student at any level:

Check in: Ask questions like, “What are the joys and woes of college right now?” and “What do you think you’re doing successfully?” These questions allow your student to reflect. Pay attention to the focus of their answers. Follow up with, “Who can help support you on campus?” to remind them of campus resources.
Anticipate some anxiousness: For seniors, reality sets in that graduation is soon and they will enter the professional world. Sophomores and juniors may question their major or begin searching for a professional work opportunity. First-year students may just be finding out that college is quite different from high school. Suggest your student contact the following staff on campus, depending on their needs:
1. Emotional support: Associate Dean of Students, Jennifer Crandall (jennifercrandall@miad.edu)
2. Advising support: Student should contact their specific advisor or the Director of Advising, Alea Cross (aleacross@miad.edu)
3. Tutoring: Learning Resource Center (LRC) or Coordinator of Learning Services, Cathryn Wilson (cathrynwilson@miad.edu)
4. Roommate/Living Issues: Director of Residential Living and Student Activities, Marianne Di Ulio (mariannediulio@miad.edu)
5. Career Development: Assistant Director of Career Services, Christina WickHeiser (christinawickheiser@miad.edu)

For any reason, feel free to refer your student back to MIAD Advising. We are here to support students and want to be a part of their holistic success.

Family support is key. Thank you for your investment in and support of your student.

How Your Student Can Sell Their Work at the 2019 MIAD Holiday Sale

2019 Holiday Sale banner MIAD students have two opportunities throughout the school year to showcase and sell their work to a wide audience: at the Creative Fusion gala in May and at the MIAD Holiday Sale in December.

Registration is now open for MIAD students (and alumni) to sell their work at the 2019 MIAD Holiday Sale, December 5 – 7, 2019. Students need to register by Friday, November 8, in order to sell their work.

Now in its ninth year, the MIAD Holiday Sale is a highly-publicized event that draws 1,000 art enthusiasts and visitors to campus.

Any student – from first-year to seniors – can participate by selling drawings, photographs, prints, paintings, furniture, design work, sculptures, jewelry, handmade gifts and cards, or other work. Artists/designers receive 70% of the sale price. A portion of the proceeds benefits MIAD student scholarships.

Visit miad.edu/holidaysale for more info.

The 2019 MIAD Holiday Sale is sponsored by:

More information about selling student work at Creative Fusion will be available in the spring semester.

Welcome to the MIAD Family Forum!

Parents and family members,

We are excited to welcome our new and returning students to campus this fall. Our incoming class is the largest in the college’s history. Over the summer, we have been busy preparing additional studio spaces, a new science lab and other areas of campus. In addition, we have hired several new staff and faculty members, including a new student support counselor and director of inclusivity.

Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to supporting your student to achieve success and graduate prepared to launch a successful career in art and design.

This fall there are many new and exciting opportunities for students to nurture their passion and career aspirations. Here are a few highlights:

MIAD Innovation Center – Launched in Fall 2018, the MIAD Innovation Center provides students opportunities to explore their own creative ideas outside of the classroom, as well as professional experiences working with businesses and nonprofits in Milwaukee.
MIAD Creativity Series – On October 25, the four founding members of the Strange Fire Collective deliver a public presentation, “Institutional Questions/Questioning Institutions.” Strange Fire seeks to create a venue for work that critically questions the dominant social hierarchy and highlights work made by women, people of color, and queer and trans artists.
Student organizations – The college has a growing number of student activities and organizations. Participating in an activity or group that matches their interest is a great way for students to be involved and make new friends.

I encourage you to check back on this blog often for tips and advice on how you can best support your student this year. Also, be sure to sign up to receive our monthly MIAD Family Forum emails to stay up-to-date.

Jeff Morin
MIAD President

P.S. If you haven’t already, check out our information for new students in Fall 2019 for information on supplies, new student orientation and more.

Important Dates for the Fall Semester

Before the fall semester gets fully underway, check out these important dates that you and your student should know.

August 20-21 – New Student Move-In

August 20-24 – New Student Orientation
New students attend workshops to learn about MIAD and its resources, and participate in a studio experience with faculty and mentors, among other activities.

August 26 – Fall classes begin

August 27 – On-Campus Employment Information Session, 11:30 a.m.
MIAD Career Services provides information on how to obtain an on-campus job.

August 29 – Welcome Back Picnic, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Students enjoy food, activities and information booths on Erie Street in front of MIAD.

September 2 – Labor Day; no classes

September 4 – NSP Welcome Back BratFest and Faculty DJ Party Picnic, 11 a.m.
Students enjoy food, music and New Studio Practice activities to usher in the new school year.

September 18 – FYE Professional Portfolio Symposium, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Professionals working in art and design share their portfolios with all first-year students.

September 19 – 4-Week Reports

October 1 – Majors Dialogue, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Full-time faculty meet with first-year students to share what each academic area offers.

October 7-8 – Fall Break; no classes
There are no classes on these days. Your student can explore Milwaukee, like taking advantage of their free membership to the Milwaukee Art Museum.

October 17 – Midterms reports available
If your student is struggling, encourage them to reach out for help through tutoring, counseling and other academic support resources at MIAD.

October 25 – MIAD Creativity Series: Strange Fire Collective, 6 p.m.
Learn more about Strange Fire Collective’s visit.

November 6 – Majors Declaration for FYE Students, 11 a.m.

November 11-15 – Spring 2020 Registration

November 27-29 – Thanksgiving Break; no classes

December 5-7 – MIAD Holiday Sale
Students and alumni sell their one-of-a-kind art and design work. Learn more about how your student can participate.

December 13 – Last day of fall classes

Curricular collaborations with Milwaukee organizations offer professional experiences to MIAD students

Each year, MIAD collaborates with corporate and nonprofit partners on a variety of curricular projects to enhance students’ real-world, professional experiences while providing invaluable intellectual property and products to our partners.

Jess Schindler

Projects span all majors, but in the Spring 2019 semester alone, Illustration and Communication Design departments worked with several organizations. Here are the highlights:

Colectivo Coffee – students created new coffee cup designs; four winners were chosen to have their designs on cups at area locations for one month.

Trusted Media Brands – students created illustrations to accompany stories in Country Woman and Reminisce Extra magazines; winning will be published in the magazines.

Fromm Family Foods – students designed posters for Fromm Petfest; the winner’s poster will besold at the event in September 2019 and student designs will be on view at the event.

88Nine Radio Milwaukee – students designed logos and other materials for specific 88Nine Radio Milwaukee programs; winners’ work will be used in summer promotional campaigns.

Prevent Blindness Wisconsin – students designed t-shirts for this nonprofit; the organization is selling the winner’s t-shirt design online

2019 Year In Review

2019 has been an extraordinary year for MIAD and its students. Take a look back at a few of their accomplishments as we head into the summer.

1. MIAD Innovation Center launches. In Fall 2018, the college launched the MIAD Innovation Center, which combines technology and students’ creativity to design solutions for Milwaukee business and nonprofits. The center also serves as an incubator to help students take their creative ideas to market and offers educational programming.

2. MIAD receives national accolades. For the fourth consecutive year, Graphic Design USA magazine named MIAD a Top Design School. MONEY magazine named MIAD a Best College for Your Money.

3. Industrial Design students help MPS kids. Through empathy and design, MIAD Industrial Design juniors created assistive devices to help MPS students at Manitoba Elementary & Middle School with special needs.

4. Printmaking Week starts strong. In the fall, students taking Arts Management brought 12 renowned artists to MIAD for a weeklong residency, when they collaborated with students and created special prints for the college.

5. Record number of designs patented at Delta. This year, Delta patented an unprecedented 10 MIAD Industrial Design student designs.

Alumni profile – Ethan Keister ’17

While a student at MIAD, Ethan Keister ‘17 (Communication Design) was named a 2017 Student to Watch by Graphic Design USA. Ethan recently updated us on his post grad life.

What is your current job?

I’m currently an art director at Zizzo Group – an advertising agency that specializes in digital marketing. I do many tasks including branding, website design, and social media content creation. I like the variety of clients (from the YMCA to Milwaukee Film) and the fact I get to be creative on a daily basis.

What are some other things you’ve done since graduation?

After graduation, I had the chance to travel to the Indian Himalayas and do some design work over the summer. When I returned, I moved back to Milwaukee from western New York (where I’m from) and snagged the art director job at Zizzo. I’ve been there ever since, but have traveled to Ecuador, and back to India. I also freelance with Stock House Brewing Co. doing their branding and labels, and volunteer with Islands of Brilliance – a design mentorship program for children, teens and young adults on the autism spectrum.

How did MIAD prepare you for your career?

MIAD taught me how to teach myself. It taught me work ethic, and what it means to be professional in the hectic world of art and design. Presentation is important, and MIAD helped me refine my skills. I learned of an internship through MIAD [at Zizzo], which is where I currently work. Connection is key!

Senior Exhibition opens this month at MIAD

MIAD’s annual Senior Exhibition, Wisconsin’s largest exhibition of its kind, features artists and designers representing all of MIAD’s Bachelor of Fine Arts majors and minors.

This year, the exhibition showcases more than 130 artists and designers who have combined technology with their own creativity to solve problems and express themselves.

For example:

Clare O’Malley (Industrial Design) designed a more comfortable and attractive palliative care system, allowing cancer patients to live more independently away from the hospital.
Tony Holz (Communication Design) created animated videos for a suicide prevention campaign for transgender and gender nonconforming youth.

The 2019 Senior Exhibition opens to the general public on April 19 and runs through May 11, 2019.

The Preview Night on Wednesday, April 17 is the MIAD community’s chance to see the work before the exhibit opens to the general public.

Learn more about the 2019 Senior Exhibition.

View in-progress photos.

Spring 2019: Mid-Semester Advising Check-In

Spring Break is here, and you can support your student and encourage them to finish the semester strong by engaging in a conversation about their experiences.

Questions for First-Year Students

The First-Year Experience (FYE) curriculum at MIAD provides all first-year students with a basic foundation of skills and knowledge as they transition into their major.

How are you managing time to finish projects?
What are doing well to be successful in your classes?
What are your challenges?
How are you/why aren’t you using the Learning Resource Center (LRC) as a tool for your academic success?
What are you most excited about at MIAD?

Questions for Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors

How are you connecting class work to work you’d like to do professionally?
What has given you more confidence since last semester?
What is a challenge right now?
As assignments and projects take up more of your time, how are you practicing self-care?
How are you using the Open Lab and MIAD Innovation Center for your projects and professional work?

Please remind your student to connect with their advisor after Spring Break to schedule their next advising session. Your student and their advisor will review midterms, revise success plans for completing the semester and initiate the process of Fall 2019 registration.

If your student has questions about academic programs, please encourage them contact Director of Advising Alea Cross at aleacross@miad.edu.

On view now – A MIAD gallery guide

MIAD has two nationally recognized museum galleries: the Brooks Stevens Gallery and the Frederick Layton Gallery. They are open to the public Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and admission is free. But did you know that MIAD has many other gallery spaces around campus showcasing student and alumni work?

Entryway Gallery

Location: Lobby, First Floor

Featured work: Various student work

Currently on view: Student projects from the “Soft Goods” course

NSP Alumni Gallery/Wallway Gallery

Location: First Floor

Featured work: Alumni fine arts work/student fine arts work

Currently on view: Work by Alisa Toninato ‘05, who owns American Skillet Co. and was featured on ABC News last year

Perspectives Gallery

Location: Room 299, Second Floor

Featured work: Alumni and other professional photography

Currently on view: “The Fallen Fawn” by Holly Andres, a photographer whose work has appeared in The New Yorker, TIME and Yahoo Style

Communication Design/Illustration Alumni Gallery

Location: Second Floor

Featured work: Alumni Communication Design and Illustration work

Currently on view: Work by Joan Varitek ‘07, who has illustrated for Mrs Wordsmith and companies such as Williams-Sonoma, Comedy Central and Hyatt Place Hotels

See the work in these galleries here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/miadcollege/albums/72157703881568312

Everything Students Should Know About Seeking Professional Opportunities

Even though we’re only a few weeks into the spring semester, now is a good time for students to make summer plans.

For juniors and some sophomores, pursuing a professional experience is strongly encouraged. A professional experience is any opportunity that helps explore career options, develop specific skills, and accomplish professional goals. Students should research and pursue opportunities in February, March and early April, as waiting longer will present challenges.

Internships: Internships are opportunities to work on-site at a business or organization, engaging with work that directly relates to their career interests. Internships can be part-time or full-time, and academic credit can be earned.

Professional Jobs: Similar to internships but with no academic credit, professional-related jobs provide valuable experience in a student’s industry or profession of interest. These jobs can be full-time, part-time, temporary or seasonal.

Freelance Projects and Commissions: Businesses, organizations, associations and private citizens periodically have creative-based projects for which they seek artists/designers. Seniors, juniors and sometimes sophomores have the skills to pursue such projects.

MIAD Innovation Center Projects: The MIAD Innovation Center connects corporate and nonprofit organizations with MIAD students, giving students the opportunity to work with real clients, apply their creative thinking and skills and build their professional portfolios. Encourage your student to check with the MIAD Innovation Center Executive Director Drew Maxwell to learn about potential projects through the Center.

Exhibitions and Selling Work: There are opportunities for students to exhibit their work in a variety of venues, and the community where the student is living for the summer is a good place to start. Commercial galleries, public galleries, virtual/online galleries, artist-run spaces, alternative spaces, art centers, artist collectives and art fairs are all options. In addition, MIAD offers two opportunities each year for students to sell their work: at the annual Creative Fusion gala in May and the MIAD Holiday Sale in early December.

Professional Associations and Organizations: Almost all professions have associations, organizations and groups, including creative and art/design professions. They encourage student involvement and often offer student memberships. Become members, attend workshops and events, participate in activities, or assist with programs. Examples include AIGA for communication design students, the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) for industrial design students or American Society of Interior Designers for interior architecture and design students.

Volunteer: Opportunities to assist nonprofit organizations and associations also offer valuable professional experiences. Most communities have art-related groups that recruit volunteers year-round. Many offer summer programs and activities for which they seek volunteer assistance.

Students should discuss their professional interests with their MIAD Advisor and Career Services staff to learn what types of professional experiences may be options for them.

3 Things to Know About 2019 MIAD Commencement

As the semester progresses and graduation approaches, MIAD Registrar Jean Weimer counts down the top three things you and your senior student should know about graduation.

1. MIAD Commencement is Saturday, May 11, 2019, 11 a.m.
2. It takes place at the Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI
3. You can find up-to-date information with more details on the MIAD Graduation blog

Graduation scene

Important Dates for the Spring 2019 Semester

Here are important dates for the spring semester for you and your student to know.

January 14 – Spring classes begin

January 18 – Winter Gallery Night
Two exhibitions are on view during Winter Gallery Night in the Historic Third Ward from 5 – 9 p.m. – Spectacular Vernacular and I Contain Multitudes.

January 19 – I Contain Multitudes: Opening Reception & Artists’ Discussion
Meet the 10 artists participating in “I Contain Multitudes” and view a documentary created about the making of this exhibition. “I Contain Multitudes” is generously supported in part by the Mary L. Nohl Fund of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.

January 21 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
No classes on this day.

February 7 – Navigating Between Cultures: Artists’ Talk & Panel Discussion
As part of “I Contain Multitudes” exhibit programming, Fawzia Khan and Hend Al-Mansour lead a discussion on challenges of being part of two cultures simultaneously. “I Contain Multitudes” is generously supported in part by the Mary L. Nohl Fund of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.

February 13 – MIAD Creativity Series
Michael DelGaudio ’01 (Communication Design) leads user experience teams for Android TV and Internet of Things at Google. He presents “Design++: Living at the Intersection of People and Technology” at 6 p.m.

February 27 – Talking Suitcases
As part of “I Contain Multitudes” programming, Susan Armington discusses her project to fill a suitcase with handmade objects that tell stories and help participants gain insights about themselves, touching on topics such as immigration, racism, grief, personal loss and life transition. “I Contain Multitudes” is generously supported in part by the Mary L. Nohl Fund of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.

March 11 – Midterm reports available

March 11 – 15 – Spring Break
No classes

April 2 – First-Year Juried Student Exhibition
This exhibition, showcasing the best of first-year student work, opens on the second floor.

April 5 – First-Year Juried Student Exhibition Awards Reception
An outside juror selects students to receive awards. The ceremony takes place from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. on the second floor.

April 11 – ARTH151 Field Trip
All freshmen enrolled in ARTH151 engage in an all-day field trip to Chicago.

April 17 – Senior Exhibition Preview Night
MIAD’s annual Senior Exhibition, Wisconsin’s largest exhibition of its kinds, features more than 100 artists and designers representing all of MIAD’s Bachelor of Fine Arts majors and minors. The Preview Night, from 4 – 8 p.m., is the MIAD community’s chance to see the work before the exhibit opens to the general public.

April 24 – MIAD Defines
All classes are canceled for this unique learning event. The entire college participates in a day of panels, gallery talks and events.

April 26 – Senior Exhibition Opening Reception & Gallery Night
The 2018 MIAD Senior Exhibition has its Opening Reception on Spring Gallery Night in the Historic Third Ward from 5 – 9 p.m.

May 1 – RPC Pecha Kucha presentations
Selected first-year students will present pecha kuchas they’ve created in their RPC classes. The presentations are from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

May 4 – Last day of spring classes

May 11 – Graduation ceremony
Congratulations to our graduating seniors! MIAD’s commencement ceremony is held at the Pabst Theater, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Read the graduation blog for more info.

What I Wish Parents Knew About College: A Student’s Perspective

Project by Olivia Paul

By Olivia Paul, Sophomore, Industrial Design

I never knew how much coming to MIAD would make me question my identity and familial relations. I’ve been groomed and nurtured by two loving beings: my parents. My thoughts and values are based on my upbringing with them. So, I have a good sense of who I am, right? Well, possibly… I’m still processing.

In my “Design and the Elastic Mind” class, we were given a prompt to create a narrative-driven piece. My inspiration came from “Lady Bird,” a 2017 American coming-of-age comedy-drama focused on the relationships that shape us, the beliefs that define us and the unmatched beauty of a place called home.

From this, I created “I Am My Mother’s Daughter,” a collection of lenticular photos [pictured right] that depict the personal narratives of different young women. I asked each woman, “How has your relationship with your mother changed since starting college?” Each photo seeks to highlight the subject and their disconnection from their mother since starting college life.

This project has helped me reflect on how our relationships with parents change when we go to college. Here are three pieces of advice I have for parents navigating this change:

Give some space early on. It’s important for your student to feel like they have the space to become independent. Call maybe once a week, not every day.
Understand your student’s schedule and studies. A way to stay involved is to ask about your student’s projects. You can even read a few books to learn the language of their art and design world.
Communication looks different, but the love is the same. Although you may not be spending the same amount of time with your student, know that each individual is doing the best they can. And remember, there is always Skype/FaceTime!

College is a time for learning, growing and changing. Through my “Design and the Elastic Mind” class project, I took the time to understand my subjects emotionally and researching the process of making a lenticular image helped me create photography that was interactive in a way that I haven’t really seen before. After completing my project, I feel as though I’ve started to understand my own parental relationships since college better, and more honestly. So mommy, I love you! I’ll talk to you soon!

Preparing for a Creative Career: Tips for Junior and Senior Students

Having success in classes is the best way for students to develop their creative skills, but career research, job search preparation and professional-related engagement outside of classes is helpful as they navigate the future.

What can a junior or senior do to prepare for their career during Winter Break and in the spring semester? The topics below will be discussed with students in their classes and with their advisors. Please encourage your student to be an active participant in these conversations and accomplish these suggestions.

Juniors

Prepare for and pursue summer professional experiences. This includes internships, jobs, freelance projects, commissions, exhibitions and volunteering.
Develop a portfolio and resume, which are used when contacting businesses and organizations and applying for opportunities.
Get involved with professional associations and groups if you have not already done so.
Frequently use the MIAD CanvassCareers website along with other business research and job search websites. The Career Services staff can introduce juniors to these resources if they have not yet been using them.
If self-employment or entrepreneurial endeavors are of interest, start thinking through the details of what creative work would be offered to clients/customers. If pursuing graduate school, fellowships, or artist residencies, the junior year is a good time to research options.

Seniors

Schedule a meeting with Faculty Advisor/Career Services staff to discuss post-graduate plans.
Finalize portfolio, resume, and other job search materials such as cover letters and establishing references.
If considering self-employment or entrepreneurial endeavors, develop a business plan. Similarly, if graduate school, fellowships, or artist residencies are a goal, begin the application process.
Look for job opportunitiy regularly on job search websites. Establish and maintain a profile on these sites as well as networking sites such as LinkedIn and with professional associations. Remember to check out MIAD’s CanvassCareers website.
Continue researching businesses and organizations, and contact specific businesses that are of interest with portfolio and resume.
If relocating is part of the plan, research the destination and learn how to make the move happen.

Faculty, advisors and career services staff are available to help students with career and professional related research and activities. MIAD alumni report great satisfaction with their careers and their professional work.

For more details about the above as well as additional suggestions, you are welcome to review the “Professional Preparation Plan” that all students have for their use.

Preparing for a Creative Career: Tips for First-Year and Sophomore Students

Even as students enjoy Winter Break, they can keep focused and continue to prepare for their future creative careers.

Having success in their classes is the best way for students to develop their creative skills, but career research, job search preparation and professional-related engagement outside of classes is helpful as they navigate the future.

Below are tips for first-year students and sophomores as they prepare for the spring semester. These topics will be discussed with students in classes and with their advisors. Please encourage your student to be an active participant in these conversations and accomplish these suggestions.

First-Year Students

Research types of creative careers. The Career Services Office has career information available in the library, on the Moodle website and through scheduled individual student meetings.
Attend the presentations and discussion sessions of the professional artists and designers who visit MIAD. These are announced through email, the River Rat student e-newsletter and posters.

Sophomore Students

Research the professions of MIAD alumni. Ask faculty, advisors and career services staff about MIAD alumni, or research them through LinkedIn and the Alumni Professional Directory. Many MIAD alumni are willing to respond to student questions.
Learn about specific types of businesses and organizations that hire or work with creative professionals. Review examples of professional opportunities (such as internships, volunteer work, etc.) that are available to designers and artists. The Career Services Office can provide resources to assist with this such as MIAD’s CanvassCareers website. These businesses and organizations could be prospects for students during their junior and senior years for professional experiences.
Become active in professional associations through student membership and/or attending events and activities. Faculty and career services staff as well as juniors and seniors have info about these professional associations.

Faculty, advisors and career services staff are available to help students with career and professional research and activities. MIAD alumni report great satisfaction with their careers and their professional work.

For more details about the above as well as additional suggestions, you are welcome to review the “Professional Preparation Plan” that all students have for their use.

How Your Student Can Get Involved on Campus

There are a variety of ways in which students can get involved on campus.

Student Party is MIAD’s equivalent of Student Government. It meets weekly on Wednesdays during the Common Hour (11 – 12:30 p.m.) in Room 399A. Student Party helps with MIAD traditions like the annual AIDS Walk WI, Blood Drives, the MIAD Halloween Party, the annual Talent Show and Health Heelers.

There also are several active student groups on campus:

Adventure Club

Ambrosia Designs

Anime Club

ASID (American Society of Interior Designers)

Billiards Club

Dungeons & Dragons

Film Club

Gradients

GSA (Genders and Sexualities Alliance)

IDSA (Industrial Designers Society of America)

InterVarsity

ISO (Photography)

Magic: The Gathering

MIAD Print Club

Swim Team (Curatorial)

Video Game Club

If a student is interested in creating a student group that doesn’t currently exist, they should contact Student Party (studentparty@miad.edu).

Another organization on campus, Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD), is open to freshmen students who met or exceeded a 3.5 GPA in their first semester at MIAD. ALD fosters academic achievement and learning through thought, design and expression, and believes every person can lead, learn and design with a purpose greater than self to change the world.

Should your student become a member of this prestigious honors society, they will be provided the opportunity to compete for scholarships and fellowships awarded by National Alpha Lambda Delta.

We encourage you and your student to interact with us on Monday, January 15^th, 2018 for the National Day of Service in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Invites will be shared with your student.

Additionally, there will be an ALD initiation ceremony held in Spring 2018 for new members and their families.

How to Offer Support to Your Student During Midterms

Midterm reports are a way to reflect on the past eight weeks of the academic year, celebrate and recalibrate.

This time of year can also produce anxiety, homesickness and uncertainty. At MIAD, academic advising supports the personal and the academic growth of each student. We are here to support and be a part of their holistic success.

You can support your student’s success, too. Here are some tips from MIAD’s Advising Office on ways you can support your student at any academic level:

Valuable check-in: Allow your student to feel in control. Ask, “What do you think are the joys and woes of college right now?” Observe what their focus is. In either instance, you can follow up with asking, “What do you think you are doing successfully? Who can help support you on campus?” These questions allow your student to reflect on what they can control and/or change to be more successful.
Anticipate a bit of anxiousness: If your student is a senior, the reality has set in that they have one more semester before they transition to the professional world full-time. If your student is a sophomore or junior, they may be considering switching majors or finding an internship opportunity. First-year students, for the first time, may realize that studio classes are nothing like high school coursework. Ask your student to reach out for these issues:
1. Emotional support: Associate Dean of Students, Jennifer Crandall (jennifercrandall@miad.edu)
2. Advising support: Your student’s advisor or the Director of Advising, Alea Cross (aleacross@miad.edu)
3. Tutoring support: The Learning Resource Center (LRC) or the Coordinator of Learning Services, Cathryn Wilson (cathrynwilson@miad.edu)
4. Roommate/Living Issues: Director of Residential Living and Student Activities, Marianne Di Ulio (mariannediulio@miad.edu )
5. Career Development: Assistant Director of Career Services Activities, Christina WickHeiser (christinawickheiser@mia.edu)
Encourage your student to meet their advisor: Midterm reports were emailed to all students by October 19. This allows students time to formulate a sustainable success plan, activate it and prepare for Spring Registration (spring registration begins November 12).

Thank you for being a part of your student’s journey!