Development
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As part of the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers, the Career Development office supports the professional development of emerging OCAD U creative talent. We provide direction, resources and opportunities that help students and recent graduates reach their early-career goals. We have the experience, networks and agility to take on ambitious industry partnerships, and we develop strong relationships in the creative industries which result in paid work opportunities for students and recent graduates.
Questions? Reach out to us!
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Student + Alumni Job Boards
Job boards connecting students and graduates with employers recruiting for paid cultural and creative work.
Cultural Community Expo
Annual event showcasing potential career paths for students interested in visual arts and culture.
Art & Design Grad School Fair
Connect with representatives from different schools to learn about their graduate programs in various creative disciplines.
Design Career Fair
Students and grads meet with cutting-edge companies and learn about careers in design.
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Good W/ Food
Dinner series connecting students with professionals who offer insights into their art or design practice.
Workshops & Info Sessions
Workshops and presentations that offer tips and information for long-term career success.
Career Connections
We help students and alums form professional connections and opportunities for mentorship.
Design Charettes
Short, intensive design "sprints" bring five to ten students together to create work based on a specific brief from a real client.
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Career Launchers
Unique, high-profile opportunities to help senior students and new graduates start their professional practice.
Creative Professionals-In-Residence
Special guests who meet with students for portfolio reviews, on-campus studio visits and mentorship.
Curriculum Support
The CEAD can bring enhanced opportunities into classrooms which add immediate value to curriculum.
Student Career Ambassadors
Students who are trained to offer specific support and can quickly direct you to valuable services and opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
For students and recent graduates
You can take advantage of one-on-one career advising appointments to learn about career pathways and how to source job opportunities. All kinds of opportunities and paid creative work are posted on the Talent Network, OCAD U's job board for students and recent graduates. You can also meet with top employers at annual on-campus events like the Design Career Fair and our Career Launcher program provides access to supported opportunities that helps soon to be and new graduates start their professional practice after school.
Throughout the academic year, we host a variety of workshops and info sessions, events like the Cultural Community Expo, and specialized fairs including the Design Career Fair and the Art & Design Graduate School Fair. These extracurricular events are designed to demystify potential career paths and to equip students and recent graduates with knowledge and ideas for success.
Beyond jobs posted on the Talent Network, as a student you can participate in a Design Charrette, a paid, extra-curricular opportunity that addresses real-world design challenges. Our Career Launcher program is open to senior students and new graduates, offering unique, high-profile opportunities to help jump-start your professional practice after school.
Check out our Career Connections page for details on mentorship. The OCAD U Hub on Ten Thousand Coffees is a dedicated platform where students and new graduates can connect with established alums working in creative fields. Student Career Ambassadors offer guidance for career development and discipline-specific supports. The Talent Network connects students and graduates with professional clients and employers for all kinds of paid creative work opportunities.
For employers
The Talent Network connects employers who are offering paid creative work to OCAD U’s pool of student and alumni talent. The Design Career Fair is a unique opportunity to interact with students and graduates, conduct portfolio reviews, and provide valuable industry insight. Career Launchers are high-profile opportunities developed in partnership with industry. This program provides cultural and creative organizations access to talented new OCAD U graduates.
Design Charrettes present an opportunity for interdisciplinary groups of talented emerging designers to address a real-world design challenge, solve a problem or bring a fresh perspective. OCAD U's Talent Network job board is our best tool for posting paid creative work opportunities and seeking a commitment from top students and graduates. And by hosting an Experiential Learning Placement, partners create opportunities for students to apply their skills in a real-world context.
The OCAD U Hub on Ten Thousand Coffees is an online mentoring and networking platform for sharing experience and offering guidance online or via in-person meetings. You can also become a partner in our Experiential Learning Placement program, offering students professional and creative development opportunities in your workplace.