On Friday, Feb. 16, the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ (VPA) Office of Academic and Career Advising will host its third annual VPA Industry Day in partnership with Syracuse University Career Services at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel and Conference Center.
Nineteen alumni and industry professionals will meet with VPA students for panel discussions; one-on-one sessions (portfolio reviews, resume reviews and interviews); and a networking lunch. Panel discussions include “Be Your Own Advocate,” “Networking in the Creative Fields,” “Dealing with Disappointment,” “Transferable Skills and Career Transitions” and “Rock Your Interview.”
The event, which runs from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., is open to both undergraduate and graduate students from across VPA’s schools and departments. Students must register on Handshake. Students who register and attend have the opportunity to win a VPA hoodie and water bottle along with 50 Syracuse University Dining Dollars.
Industry professionals scheduled to attend include:
- Jeff Blackman ’95, SVP, head of creative, NBCUniversal Media
- Alex Brewer ’12, vice president of operations, Chess.Com
- Markova Casseus ’16, senior creative strategist, Vox Media
- Carina DiGianfilippo ’13, freelance and managed artist
- Katie DiMaria ’14, G’17, associate director of institutional advancement, Boston Conservatory at Berklee
- Ann Drumheller ’89, special assistant, Native American Initiatives, National Museum Of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution
- Jodie Feldman ’01, manager of program analytics, IG Design Group
- Evan Fonseca ’13, freelance writer
- Kristen Krauss, artistic director and founder, Berkshire Summer Music; director of studio chamber music, The Rivers School Conservatory
- Kyle Kuchta ’13, filmmaker
- Ayana Patterson ’06, global luxury design and CMF consultant, home and lifestyle product industries
- Leigh Ryan ’11, graphic designer, Rapid7
- Pete Sestina ’06, principal, director, writer, Denim Productions
- Dena Singer ’97, co-owner and director, Garrett Singer Architecture + Design
- Nancy Taylor ’15, director of media rights and development, HarperCollins
- Row Walters ’11, freelance production manager, sound and lighting designer, and technician; founder and partner, 3rd Shift Media, Inc.
- Natalie Weaver ’18, marketing manager, research marketing planning department, Springer Nature
- Jessica Whitley ’18, G’23, local government management fellow, borough of State College, Pennsylvania
- Benji Wittman ’21, G’21, training and operations supervisor, Sweetwater Support
For more information about Industry Day, or if you are a VPA alumnus and want to participate in a future Industry Day, contact VPA Career Services at .