BERKLEE CAREER CENTER

The Berklee Career Center’s mission is to inspire students to think broadly about their career aspirations, educate students about the far-reaching value of their skills, connect students to influencers and employers in creative industries, create personal and professional opportunities for meaningful goal planning, and motivate students to take an active, purposeful role in shaping their careers.

Berklee Career Center CREATING PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS

Over the last year, the Career Center has undergone a transformation informed by nationwide best practices in career education. The reimagined center has streamlined the programs offered by three previously separate offices, with the goal of providing a more holistic and student-centric model for career preparation. Students are encouraged to use their time at Berklee to develop skills, gain knowledge, and forge the connections that will ultimately shape their careers.

CAREER COMMUNITIES The Career Center is organized by seven communities or areas of interest: business, composition, design, education, health and wellness, performance, and production. Launched in 2017, this model enables College and Conservatory students to better align their academic interests with various career paths, and better engages students across degree programs by providing deeper expertise from both career and academic advisors. This model has already strengthened connections across the larger Berklee community.

ADVISING The Career Center guides and assists students in their career planning process through one-on-one meetings that cover topics such as: job and internship search strategies; personal goal development, self-assessment, and entrepreneurial business planning.

BERKLEE CAREER MANAGER The Berklee Career Manager is a robust online platform that enables students to search for internships, paid performance gigs, jobs, industry-related and career events, auditions, and other career-related resources. Students and alumni can also use the Career Manager to schedule appointments with career advisors to further discuss options and opportunities.

INTERNSHIPS Students are encouraged to supplement their classroom experience with hands-on experiential learning through a credit-bearing internship. Each semester, Conservatory and College students build marketable skills, establish professional relationships, and gain inside perspective crucial for keeping pace as industries change locally and globally. The Career Center’s annual Internship Expo invites employers to the Berklee campus to discuss internship opportunities and network with students. In fall 2017, prospective employers like the Wolftrap Foundation for the Arts, The Dance Complex, Kids’ Orchestra, Gibney Dance, Shelter Music Boston, and SpeakEasy Stage Company participated in the event.

INDUSTRY TRIPS All Berklee students have the opportunity to join student trips sponsored by the Career Center that place students in the center of industry hubs around the country, such as Atlanta, Nashville, Los Angeles, New York City, and Silicon Valley. These trips, led by experienced faculty and staff, give students a chance to explore diverse local cultures and tour booming centers of performing arts careers. They can network with alumni and industry professionals, learn in world-class studios, venues, and businesses, and explore diverse local and international cultures.

EVENTS, AUDITIONS, AND PROGRAMMING During the academic year, the Career Center hosts a wide variety of auditions, workshops, info sessions, and recruitment and professional development events geared towards skillbuilding, career readiness, and exploring career pathways. This year, the Career Center hosted on-campus auditions for Cirque du Soleil and Cedar Point Live Entertainment. Additionally, the Creative Artists Agency, Paradigm Talent Agency, and Warner Music Group held workshops. The Career Center’s annual signature events—Career Jam (see page 4) and the Internship Expo—were both held on the Berklee campus and open to all current students.

Students and alumni looking to learn more about the Career Center can email careercenter@berklee.edu or visit berklee.edu/careers to schedule an advising session or attend an event.