Employer Advice to Students
Employers have a wealth of expertise that can be passed onto your students through a variety of channels.
“This has been very worthwhile, not only for the students but also for staff in terms of receiving direct feedback from designers which helps us evaluate how our students are doing in relation to the needs of industry."Stewart Owen, Lecturer, Somerset College
Case Study
Somerset College
A large number of designers from the business of graphic desgin, advertising and related industries interview our graphic design students over a two day period and conduct portfolio reviews. They also offer career guidance and support. Students get very useful feedback, work placements and even jobs at the end of the sessions while the course team hear what is good about the standard of work and where improvements need to be made. Very importantly they tell the students.
Tips
- Take time to keep up with your employer contacts, including former students
- Find opportunities to showcase the work of your students e.g. New Blood or New Designer Exhibitions
- Enter your students in national competitions
- Budget for limited expenses such as travel and hospitality
Pitfalls
Don't commit to large financial obligations
Resources
- Financial: A large studio; staff need to be available on the day; travel and catering expenses, although most of the people we have used haven’t claimed travel expenses and instead charge their business.
- Time: considerable amounts of time making contacts by emails, phone, etc
