Employers converge on Savannah for SCAD Career Fair

Article By: Monique Bos
Published: April 21, 2008

Within six months of completing their degree programs, 88 percent of the students who graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2007 had found jobs in their fields. And if the April 4 Career Fair is any indication, the class of 2008 is well on its way to similar successes.

Approximately 1,750 students from both the Savannah and Atlanta locations convened at the Savannah Trade and Convention Center on Hutchinson Island April 4 for the Career Fair. Representatives from 119 employers — including Pixar, Digital Domain, Gensler, Electrolux, Gulfstream, Turner Broadcasting, Fisher-Price, Nordstrom, Frog Design, Activision, Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters, BCBGMAXAZRIA and HOK Architects — interviewed students, viewed portfolios and discussed career opportunities at their companies.

“The SCAD Career Fair is unique in that it is the largest gathering of creative employers for an event of this kind that I know of,” said Dean of Career Services Sue Hinkin.

“We came last year and we actually found six interns who were able to start right away; we hired three of them,” said Margi Bartling, vice president of art at Carter’s. “We’ve actually been very successful today. Students are bringing portfolios that relate to what we do; it seems like they know who they’re seeing.”

According to a follow-up survey, nearly 48 percent of employers who attended said they planned to offer jobs or internships to students as a result of the fair. Another 47.6 percent said they possibly would hire SCAD students as interns or employees.

“Employer feedback on the event has been very positive,” said Hinkin. “The level of talent was deemed extremely impressive. We compare very favorably to other colleges in preparedness and professionalism.”
SCAD provides abundant opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to network with professionals in their fields, develop products for industry clients and produce cutting-edge job-search materials and skills.

“We are in the midst of an economic period where the creative fields are a major engine propelling us forward,” said Hinkin. “Our students receive top-notch preparation in their fields and every assistance they need to help parlay their creative skills into wonderful job opportunities.”