Recently in Designers Category

The Recent Grad Report:

Cara Willenbrock

If you're a graduating senior, no doubt you're already tired of all your parents' and relatives' questions about your after-graduation plans. And unless you're one of the lucky few who've already snagged a job, you're probably also tired of thinking about those plans yourself. Perhaps today's Recent Grad Report feature can give you a boost of motivation and a few tips.

Cara Willenbrock, a 2010 graduate, shares with us her job-hunting experience as she worked up the ranks from intern to full-time designer through work at three different companies. Read on for her great insight and advice on the process.

Cara Willenbrock
2010 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia
Bachelor of Journalism in Magazine Design

Tell us about how you got started after school and where you are now.
Starting in St. Louis, Missouri at St. Louis AT HOME magazine as a web and art intern, I worked without pay all last summer on layouts, web design and production, photo shoots and social media coordination. ... … MORE

The Recent Grad Report:

Brett Tabolt

Joining our previous "Recent Grad Report" designers on the SPD-U "Real World" panel is Brett Tabolt. Read on to hear his story and then join us Monday, March 14 to hear more from him and the others about finding the perfect internship and first job.

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The Recent Grad Report:

Lauren Stine

Now that you've heard from Nicole and Travis, we'd like to introduce recent grad Lauren Stine, another of our SPD-U panelists. Be sure to join us on Monday, March 14 to hear more from her and other recent grads about their internship and first job experiences. But for a sneak peek, check out some of Lauren's experience so far...

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The Recent Grad Report:

Travis Bonilla

Next in our newest series is another familiar name. Maybe you've met SPD Student Member Travis Bonilla at previous student events, or maybe you recognize his name from our recent "New Work: Student Publications" profile where we featured his student magazine SMH Magazine. You'll also find him on our "The Real World" panel at SPD-U ... even though he hasn't actually graduated yet, he's managed to snag some impressive internships at Esquire and Complex, and even an official job at Essence!

Read on to learn more about Travis and what he's learned so far about the "real world" of magazines. And then don't forget to join us Monday, March 14 to hear more from him, Nicole and many others whom we'll be featuring this week and next.  Bring all your questions, they'll be ready to answer!
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The Recent Grad Report:

Nicole Zigmont

Along with our added "New Work: Student Publications" category, we're starting another series of posts aimed at giving you the inside scoop on the school-to-job transition. Titled "The Recent Grad Report," we'll be featuring designers who have graduated within the past few years--and even some lucky current students--who have successfully made the switch from classrooms to cubicles.

To start the series off, we're featuring a familiar name to those of you who've been checking out last year's Student Design Competition winners and this year's SPD-U event. Not only did 2010 graduate Nicole Zigmont win an internship at Complex with her 4th place competition entry, but she more recently got a full-time job as Assistant Designer at Family Circle. (See where that internship can help take you? Enter the competition now to get your own career jump-start! Entries due March 7.)

So when we were looking for panelists for our "recent grads" discussion session at SPD-U, Nicole was an obvious choice. Read on to hear how she got her start, and be sure to join us on Monday, March 14 to hear more from her and others on making that real world jump.
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