Career Development
The SVA Career Development office is currently operating remotely. As we consider the evolving health crisis and the College’s operational status, we are committed to providing ongoing career services in the best ways possible during this unique time.
Career Counseling will continue with sessions held by phone or video call. Priority will be given to seniors and second year graduate students. See the Career Counseling section below to schedule an appointment.
Overview
SVA Career Development supports students and alumni in building their professional networks while providing them with the information and resources they need to prosper as creative professionals. In addition to offering educational workshops and career counseling, the office facilitates industry networking opportunities that directly connect students with professionals. Our Internship for Credit Program provides opportunities for students to work with creative professionals at top New York City-based agencies, as well as in their home cities over the summer.
Recruiters from top creative companies visit campus to meet with students, review portfolios and promote their employment opportunities through the College's exclusive Online Job Board.
To book a one-on-one counseling appointment with one of our career counselors, please use our online booking site.
Career Counseling
Career counseling sessions support matriculating students and recent graduates in exploring, identifying and pursuing their individual career goals, while also teaching them about the professional "tools" they have at their disposal. Students and recent alumni looking to meet with a career counselor regarding résumé reviews and job search strategies can click the Online Appointment Scheduler button, below, and choose a counselor and a time to schedule an appointment. Alumni may schedule one-on-one counseling appointments for up to four years after graduation.
Employer Services
The Office of Career Development serves as a liaison between industry professionals and the College's talented students and alumni. Career Development staff work closely with U.S.-based and international employers to educate future generations of artists, designers, and creative professionals. This outreach supports our Internship for Credit program, annual career fair, educational programming and recruiting events. The following resources are designed to connect industry with SVA talent.
Online Job Board
If you are interested in hiring a student or alumnus/a for a job, internship, or freelance opportunity, register as an employer on the SVA Job Board and post your available position. Click on “Employers” and then “Create Account”. On this page, you will see instructions on how to register and post. Once you receive your approval link via email (within one business day), you can create a log in password and post any available opportunities.
SVA Portfolios
Recruiters, hiring managers, and creatives can visit SVA Portfolios to search an exclusive portfolio network of SVA students and alumni. Search by creative field, major, students or alumni, and other criteria to discover talent and connect with the SVA community.
Internship for Credit Program
Career Development manages the College's Internship for Credit Program, allowing qualified juniors, seniors and graduate students to gain hands-on experience working with creative professionals.
Recruiting Events
Career Development regularly hosts on-campus industry events including company presentations, portfolio reviews, and job and internship fairs. For more information, please contact Career Development at 212.592.2370 or cd@sva.edu.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is open to students and alumni of both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. This prestigious program offers one-year grants for study and research projects across the world, allowing matriculated students and recent graduates to further pursue their projects while immersing themselves in a foreign country and its cultures.
Internship for Credit Program
SVA Career Development manages the College’s Internship for Credit Program, allowing qualified juniors, seniors and graduate students to gain hands-on experience working with creative professionals.
Meet the Staff
Angie Wojak, Director
As Director of Career Development, Angie guides the office’s operations and programming. She works closely with staff to cultivate industry relationships with national, regional and international employers that support experiential learning and employment for SVA students and alumni. Angie earned her MFA in Fine Arts from the University of Missouri and received her BFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts. Prior to joining SVA, Angie served as Director of Career Services at Columbia University's School of the Arts and Parsons School of Design. She is the author of Starting Your Career as an Artist and has lectured on professional practices topics at universities and conferences across the country, including Comic-con International, Harvard University and Pratt Institute.
Patty Romeu, Associate Director
Patty Romeu is a film producer, career counselor and educator. She co-produced the HBO documentary film The Loving Story, which was honored with awards from George Foster Peabody, History Makers International, Focal International and the Writers Guild of America. Patty also served as supervising producer of the PBS education series School: The Story of American Public Education, funded by NEH and CPB and currently in distribution with Films for the Humanities. Additionally, she has experience working with museums, foundations and arts organizations and has taught film and media studies courses at Barnard, Emerson College and Drexel University. She earned a Master of Fine Arts in Film and Media Arts from Temple University.
Tricia Ross, Assistant Director
Tricia Ross is a career coach, event/concert producer and seasoned arts management professional with over 25 years of experience. (Past roles include appointments at The Juilliard School, Carnegie Hall, the Brooklyn Museum and producing projects with Daisy 3 Pictures, Wheelhouse Creative and 3-Legged Dog.) She is currently an advisory board member of Inwood Art Works in New York City and previously served as a board member and chair of the New Harmony Project. Ross also has trained and worked as a foreign language conversation partner with the International Center of New York. Ross was a temporary career counselor for SVA in 2018, with areas of expertise including internship and job search planning; career exploration; networking skills and strategies; researching and applying to grants and fellowships; artist statement, resume, and cover letter writing; goal setting; and general career guidance. A member of the NYC Chapter of the International Coach Federation, she holds an advanced diploma in coaching from New York University, and a BS in theatre management from the University of Evansville.
Spencer Robelen, Coordinator
Spencer Robelen is a composer, lyricist and playwright with a BA from the University of Miami and an MFA from New York University. He has written and produced music for film, television, theatre and ballet, and he regularly collaborates with artists of varying disciplines throughout New York City. Spencer also has experience teaching and promoting emerging artists through organizations such as the Society of Composers Incorporated, Tisch School of the Arts, the Lovewell Institute for the Creative Arts and the University School Art Institute.
Resources
Career Development has compiled a list of online resources for a variety of creative pursuits and areas.
Check out our Resources for Students page for a new list of updated links to job search sites, arts opportunities, professional organizations and more.
SVA Portfolios
Get your work seen! Through SVA Portfolios you will gain broader exposure for your work, connect with others in the SVA community and be discovered more easily by potential clients, recruiters and creative enthusiasts.
SVA Online Job Board
The SVA Online Job Board gives students and alumni access to thousands of new job listings each year by reputable creative companies who seek SVA talent. Students and alumni post their resume and portfolio images for prospective employers to review.
Workshops & Events
Upcoming Career Development events and workshops are listed on Eventbrite.
Career Development hosts a variety of events, from skill-based workshops, to on-campus recruiting opportunities, to special panel events and networking opportunities. Workshops cover topics such as professional networking, resume writing and interviewing, job search strategies, marketing and managing business and legal issues for artists—just to name a few.
Professional artists and recruiters from leading creative companies participate in our annual Career Fair, student portfolio reviews and campus visits throughout the year to share their expertise and guidance.
