How can I make the most of my college experience?

Hi Natalie! The best thing you can do is to attend events in your field of interest and network your butt off. If there aren’t a ton of events happening in the world of character design, reach out to people you admire and take them out for a coffee. Share your career path desires and ask questions. Do lots of listening as well! Chances are they may know someone they can introduce you to. Good luck!

Hey Natalie,

Making the most of your college experience in many fields, especially creative ones, means learning how to learn and creating a network of people you know.

College encourages critical thinking. Creative courses typically offer minimal direction, then see what you come up with. Focus less on dotting your i's and crossing your t's and instead learn the patterns, themes, and generally the things that work. You'll inevitably learn more about your favorite artists; determine what you like so much about them and why.

When college is over you're left with a piece of paper and the whole world before you... so it becomes about who you know. You may apply to 50+ jobs, speak to 10 on the phone, interview with 3, and hopefully land 1. Don't get discouraged and instead, leverage every connection you have. I've gotten a job because of my teacher was a good friend of a teacher I studied under. From that job I knew a client who got me a job. Then from there I knew someone who knew someone... that's how it goes, so get started while you're immersed in a sea of people doing the same work you're doing.