NEW YEAR, NEW CAREER
One of the most popular New Year's Resolutions is to find a new job—one that pays better, is more fulfilling, or perhaps closer to home. A December 2010 Monster+HotJobs survey showed that 66 percent of job seekers resolved to find a job with another employer in the new year.
Finding that elusive new job can seem overwhelming—especially when unemployment rates are over 9 percent.
Lindsay Olson, a Careers blogger for U.S. News and World Report, writes that it's important that job seekers create an action plan that includes building an online presence, updating their resume and cover letter, expanding their social and professional networks, staying positive while being realistic, and learning to follow-up on leads.
Social networking is growing in importance as a job marketing tool. Sites such as LinkedIn can help you to research companies and positions, while posting to your Facebook account that you're looking for a new job will let your extended network know you're looking. Just be sure that your current boss isn't on your "Friends" list.
Olson also asserts that the job hunt will be more efficient if seekers are realistic—instead of applying for many jobs, focus on a few jobs that you're truly qualified for. "Set high goals but be sure they're realistic. If the job you're interested in calls for 15 years of experience and you're a recent college graduate, move on to a better-suited opportunity."
The Art Institute of California - Hollywood, Orange County and Inland Empire Alumni Featured on We TV's My Fair Wedding
Alumni from California locations in Hollywood, Orange County and Inland Empire were featured in
an episode of We TV's My Fair Wedding recently. In the episode, the designers participated in a competition to design a bridesmaid dress.
Click here to read more.
Cool vs. Cruel Competition – Winners Revealed
Congrats to the winners of The Humane Society of the United States and The Art Institutes seventh annual Cool vs. Cruel Competition! The Cool vs. Cruel Competition challenges Art Institutes fashion students to reinterpret and replace animal fur on runway looks by famous designers. The finalists were selected from among more than 200 entries. And the winners are….Johana Zara for The Art Institute of Vancouver as grand prize winner, Matthew Vice for The Art Institute of Dallas as second place winner, Golden Skyy for The Art Institute of Pittsburgh as third place winner and Melissa Hoffman for The Art Institute of California – Los Angeles as honorable mention. Check out more about the winners here: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53309-art-institutes-humane-society-cool-vs-cruel-fashion-design-competition. You can view their winning designs at http://on.fb.me/HSUSFur-Free .
We are looking for your expertise! Ai Insite, the online magazine of The Art Institutes, features insights from you, our graduates, on a variety of issues relevant to the creative community. If you're interested in being a source for an upcoming story, please email EDMCAlumniSupportTeam@edmc.edu with your name, contact information, and area of study. We'd love to hear from you and utilize your expertise!
Share Your Story!
You have an education from one of The Art Institutes schools. You've taken your talent and passion, and parlayed that energy into a productive and fulfilling career. Tell us about how YOU are creating tomorrow. And, you can also show us by allowing us to showcase your artwork. We can share your story many different ways – our national website and national alumni newsletter – and to students locally, but you have to tell it!
Log onto Alumni Connections and click "Share Your Story" to get started!
Matthew Huryat
When Matthew Hurayt explains what it means to create tomorrow, he describes a learning process: "look back at the past, extract its successes, eliminate its failures, and strive to improve upon it." As a footwear designer 1 for Columbia Sportswear Company, Matthew is creating tomorrow's footwear concepts and seeing them through the product creation process—including research, design, and material selection. "What I enjoy the most about my career is that I get paid to do something that I truly enjoy. I also enjoy the variety of different projects that I get to work on," he states.
Matthew's creative inspirations range from nature and architecture to other examples of product design and footwear. "My heroes are successful footwear designers that have made a major impact on the footwear industry such as Tinker Hatfield, Michael DiTullo, and Eric Avarr of Nike." Matthew believes that earning a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design degree in 2009 from The Art Institute of Portland helped him to gain the technical skills needed to break into the footwear design industry. "I learned a multitude of valuable technical skills and artistic techniques while in school. These have helped me greatly in my career as a footwear designer," he asserts.
Looking to the future of footwear design, Matthew believes that the next big trends will revolve around performance and sustainability. He adds that an emphasis on lightweight, minimal performance combined with environmentally friendly materials and production processes, will drive these trends.
Alonzo Adams
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| From left to right: Sallie Palmer (Dean of Academic Affairs at The Art Institute of Las Vegas), Alonzo Adams, Chef Jeff Henderson |
Alonzo Adams was facing an uncertain future. Raised in foster care, Alonzo's childhood was difficult and unfocused. Realizing that Alonzo had a passion for cooking, his grandmother encouraged him to pursue his culinary talents—and he did it in grand style. Alonzo auditioned to have his journey documented by Food Network's Chef Jeff Project, an endeavor to help troubled kids by teaching them about culinary arts. He was accepted and successfully completed his program, earning a full-tuition scholarship to The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Las Vegas.
Chef Henderson was impressed with Alonzo's attitude and determination to change his life path. "I knew Alonzo was special. He showed the most dedication to change and always kept an eye on the big picture – he knew what needed to be done to meet the end goal," says Henderson.
Sallie Palmer, the dean of academic affairs at The Art Institute of Las Vegas, helped to ensure Alonzo's academic success. Her commitment to keep him in school is what the student credits as one of the most significant impacts The Art Institute of Las Vegas had on his life. Alonzo states, "Sallie is my extended family. If I manage to make something of myself, I want to share my success with her. She never held back when it came time to put me in check and I am grateful for her support."
Having earned his Associate of Science degree in Culinary Arts, Alonzo graduated in the summer of 2011 and has begun his culinary career as a line chef at The Cheesecake Factory. He plans to use his experience to inspire others and guide them on the path to a fulfilling life. "I want (others) to know that we don't have to be stuck in the hood. We don't have to sell drugs and risk jail time. There is a way out."
Mallory Meznarsi
When Mallory Meznarsic was a Fashion Marketing & Management student, she set a goal to work for Claire's after graduation—and created a path to ensure that she'd make it a reality. "I educated myself on Claire's philosophy. I created projects revolving around Claire's so I could show them during my interview," she says. Just months after graduating—she's a 2011 Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Marketing & Management graduate of The Illinois Institute of Art—Schaumburg, Mallory's business card tells the story of her success. She's working as an allocation analyst at Claire's Corporate Headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
Her new job involves analyzing styles to ensure appropriate merchandise is being allocated to the correct stores. And she doesn't have to go far to feel good about the work she's doing. "Walking into the building every morning, (I realize) all my hard work has paid off."
Mallory's insistence upon living with a positive attitude is an attribute that's helped to open doors. "Always be optimistic and positive—people's attitudes are contagious." She also enjoys a challenge and looks forward to the opportunity to grow in her position at Claire's. "I spend eight hours every day expanding my brain in an environment that brings me happiness."
Paul McCluskey
New Year, New Look
You'll notice the new debut of our newly redesigned
e-newsletter to ring in 2012! Kudos to alumnus Paul McCluskey (2012, Diploma, Web Design) of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh for bringing his design talent and fresh perspective to Alumni Connections!