Career Night for the Arts Marks 10th Anniversary
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Students who aspire to careers in the arts will once again have the opportunity to explore post-graduate prospects when the annual Career Night for the Arts event marks its 10th anniversary.The event, which takes place Nov. 11 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the McMullen Museum, features Boston College alumni who have established successful careers in related fields.
The informal networking event was launched in 1999 "to help students with the transition to life after graduation by putting them in contact with some of our alumni who had succeeded in finding careers in the arts," according to Arts Council Chairman and Fine Arts Professor Jeffery Howe.
It annually draws more than 100 students to the McMullen Museum of Art, a venue organizers say is popular with participating alumni.
"It has become a wonderful tradition, and we are grateful to the alumni who have repeatedly returned to share their experiences and mentor our students," Howe says. "They have a real-world perspective that is invaluable, and they have been generous in giving back to the school. It has become a bonding experience for the alumni as well, bringing them together back at BC.
"Our students eagerly look forward to this event - now more than ever, given the stresses of the economy - and many of them come back year after year as well," he adds. "This collaboration with the Career Center and Alumni Association is one of our most successful and important ventures."
Represented fields typically include photography, painting, architecture, interior design, filmmaking, video production, creative and critical writing, acting, museum administration, fundraising and arts administration.
This year, an arts attorney is among some 25 alumni participants, and organizers - who say alumni are still signing on - hope to have a graphic artist, musician and dancer in the professional mix.
"The number of alumni interested in participating has grown significantly as we have spread the word and found more alumni working in the arts," says Cathi Ianno, Arts Council program administrator.
One regular participant is Jere Shea '87, a Tony Award nominee for his role on Broadway in Stephen Sondheim's "Passion," and currently a development professional at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
"My BC family has always been a source of inspiration and practical advice. I come back for the Career Night for the Arts to try to return the favor and share some of the things I've learned in my professional life," says Shea.
"But I have to admit that every year, after meeting with these gifted students, I'm the one who has been inspired. They remind me of the possibilities."
Writer and editor Tim Lemire ’89, who also has participated over the years, finds that "all students need is a little advice, a little encouragement, and the example of a living, breathing person to boost their confidence and spur them into action."
For BC students, the event is a way to develop professional contacts and get practical advice while exploring career options and internship opportunities.
"Even as a sophomore I was able to test the waters and ask people of their experience in the art world," says Kathie Chang '11, who made a connection at an event which resulted in an internship. "The alumni chosen to represent the various institutions are some of the nicest people and really take pride in helping other BC students advance in their careers."
As for the participating alumni, "many have commented that they wished BC had something like this when they were students,” Ianno says. And younger alumni who take part recall "how helpful the event was for them as students in their career explorations."
Andrew Russell ’00 says "I still feel close enough to my experience at BC that I remember the fear whenever someone asked ‘and what are you going to do with a theater degree?’" Now senior manager of corporate sponsorships for the
For more information on Career Night in the Arts, see http://www.bc.edu/offices/artscouncil/artscareers.html.