CFA Career Center homepage Carnegie Mellon homepage
Explore Career Options Find a Campus Job Prepare for an Internship or Job Search Identify Career and other Post-Grad Opportunities Go to Graduate School  

 

Summer Opportunities in the Fine Arts

How to Pursue a Summer Opportunity

  1. Determine what kinds of opportunities you are seeking. Explore the following:

    • What are your goals for the summer?

      • • i. Do you want to work with an artist or in an arts-related organization?
      • ii. Or do you wish to explore a career outside of the arts?
      • iii. Do you wish to develop specific art and/or career-related skills?

      **** if you are unsure what kind of work you want to be doing, meet with your career consultant to explore this question

    • Do you need to be in a particular location, do you have preferences or are you willing to go anywhere?
    • Do you need to make: some money, a lot of money, or can you take an unpaid internship if it's a good one (and perhaps get another job on the side)?
    • Do you want to earn credit?
    • Are you available for the entire summer or do you have other plans/commitments (travel, etc.)?

  2. Explore opportunities.
    • Use the Career Center Library

      • •  key resources include:
      •  National Directory of Arts Internships
      •  Peterson's Internships
      •  Artist's Communities
      •  Check the shelves for other books, etc.
    • Visit relevant websites
    • Visit TartanTRAK
    • Network – email faculty, alumni, and others… tell them what kind of opportunity you are seeking and ask them for suggestions

  3. Prepare your resume, and portfolio if necessary

  4. Draft cover letters

  5. Apply

Timeline

The following is a general timeline… however note that many summer opportunities have specific application deadlines and those deadlines will obviously dictate your timeline.

September and October

  • Clarify your goals
  • Write your resume and work on your portfolio

November

  • Research opportunities
  • Attend Creative Careers – if you wish to network for Pittsburgh opportunities

November – February

  • Prepare applications and apply
  • Attend “Making A Living, Living Your Dream: A Forum for Students and Arts Professionals” to network and apply for opportunities

March and April

  • Commit to the opportunity of your choice
  • Make travel plans and summer living arrangements

Summer

  • Keep an active file of contacts you make, for future reference

 
 
All Content is Copyright 2004-2005 The Career Center at Carnegie Mellon.