Did you know that 70% of jobs aren't posted online? That's why I recommend that you network during at least half of the time you set aside for job hunting.

Start with professors and other alumni or family friends, local business owners, people you already know. See where the conversations take you. Find out what they're up to and who they might recommend that you talk to. 

Don't ask "do you have / know of any open jobs?" directly, because if they don't off the top of their heads, the conversation is over. 

Instead, say things like -- "I'm really interested in jobs like (fill in the blank) -- what do you know about that type of work? Any advice for me? Who else would you suggest I talk to?"

The best strategy for breaking into your field is to talk to someone who's doing what you want to do, and pick their brain about how they got there. It can be nervewracking to talk to someone you don't know...someone you might look up to! But most people love to help others--they'll get just as much meaning and enjoyment out of the conversation as you.

Script for Reaching Out to Someone You Don't Know

Hello, my name is Farah. I’m a recent alum of Montserrat College of Art, where I concentrated in Interdisciplinary Arts.

I found you through Montserrat’s alumni pages on LinkedIn. I’m inspired by how you’ve translated your art degree into a small business, which is something I’d like to do someday. I’d love to hear about how you approached your time at Montserrat and how your career developed. 

Would you have 20-30 minutes for us to connect [virtually]? I would be grateful to hear your story and learn from your experience and insights. Thank you in advance for any time and wisdom you are willing to share.

• Tell me about a typical day in your job now! What are your favorite / least favorite parts of your current work?

• What did you do after you graduated college? If you had to do it over again, would you choose differently?

• What did you do between college and your current role?

• How did you break into your field?

• When you think back on your career, what experiences stand out as being most impactful?

• What skills or experiences might be helpful for someone hoping to break into your line of work?

• (And any questions you have about their career that you’re curious about!)

At the end of the conversation...

• Who else should I talk to?

• Would you be able to introduce me so I can chat with them?

If yes, great!  If not…

• “What would you do next to learn more if you were me?”

Ending with these questions helps you keep your network growing!

Professional organizations are the best places to network and advance your career. In these groups, you can meet others who are further along in their careers than you and learn from them. There is generally a membership cost, but the cost is often worth it and scholarships are sometimes available.

Some professional organizations you can check out:

• AIGA

• Animatic Boston

• Graphic Artists Guild

• IGDA (International Game Developers Association)

• HEVGA (Higher Education Video Game Alliance)

• LatinX in Animation

• National Sculpture Society

• Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators

• Society of Illustrators

• Women in Animation

Check out these resources that discuss art careers!

• The Art Career Project: Learn more about types of art careers

• Mentor Profiles: Read mentor bios and learn more about their career journeys

Get some career coaching & learn more about what you want to do with your life!

• Designing Your Life - The Designing Your Life book is a great place to start

• Road Trip Nation - Interviews with professionals in various careers and career coaching activities