Lessons

The lessons are presented sequentially and assume that you have read the previous. However since part of the semester is structured as an independent study some of you might find it useful to skip around and access content as needed.

Lesson 1: Portfolio Overview

• Overview
• The Job Search
• Who Is Your Audience?
• Types of Portfolios
  • Online
  • Print
• Compiling and Editing Work
  • How Many Pieces to Include?
  • Organizing and Structuring Work
• Additional Components
• Additional Resources

Lesson 2: Self-Assessment

• Part A: Where are you currently?
• Part B: What are your short-term goals?
  • Illustration
    • Graphic Design
    • Advertising
• Part C: What are your long-term goals?
• Elevator Pitch
• Additional Resources

Lesson 3: Research

• Research Overview
• What Defines Your Discipline?
• What Types of Jobs Are Out There?
• Who Is Your Competition?
• Building Your Networking
  • Keep it Professional

Lesson 4: Identity System

• Personal Identity System
• Your Brand
  • Your Name
  • Keep It Simple
  • Types of Logos to Consider
  • What Does Your Logo Need To Say About You?
• Additional Components of an Identity System
• Additional Resources

Lesson 5: Marketing Collateral

• Overview
• Business Card Design
  • Why Make a BC?
  • When to Use a BC?
  • What goes on a BC?
  • BC Dimensions
  • BC Inspiration
  • Printing BC
• Letterhead Design
  • Traditional Stationery Design
  • Today’s Letterhead
• Additional Promotional Material
  • Leave-Behinds: Postcards, Flyers, Booklets, and Printed Samples
• Resources

Lesson 6: Resume

• What is a Resume?
• What is a CV?
• Why Do You Need a Resume?
• What Your Resume Should Include
• What Your Resume Should Never Include
• Qualifying Statement
  • Examples of Weak
  • Examples of Effective
• Use Action Verbs
  • Suggested Action Verbs
• Designing Your Resume
• Additional Resources
• Resume Checklist

Lesson 7: Job Opportunities

• Responding to a Job Opportunity
  • Here are a few guidelines to follow:
• Cover Letters
• Cover Letter Format
  • Who Reads a Cover Letter?
  • Keep It Short
  • Tailor Your Message to the Employer’s Needs
  • Put Specifics in Your Subject Line
  • Spell Check and Proofread Your Correspondence
  • Say Thank You, But Consider Your Audience
• Follow-Up/Thank You Letters
  • Thank You Letters have Three, Possibly Four, Purposes:
  • Thank You Letter Format
  • Tips for the Follow-Up

Lesson 8: Building the Portfolio

• Why do you need a portfolio?
• Preparing Your Work
• Online Portfolio
  • Possible Website Platforms
• Print Portfolio
• Additional Resources

Lesson 9: The Interview

• They Want to Meet with You!
• Preparing for the Interview
• Portfolio Review
• The Day Of, What Will You Need?
• The Interview
• After the Interview
• The Job Offer
• Don’t Be Discouraged
• Additional Resources