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Office of Career Design

Taking Your Professional Journey to the Next Level

We believe in empowering you to take bold steps in your career, providing you with the tools to explore and embrace opportunities that will enrich both your creative practice and your working life. By the time you graduate, you'll not only have a degree but also real-world experience through internships and hands-on projects. Our goal is to ensure that you leave PNCA as a self-reliant, capable professional, ready to make your mark in the world.

Resources and Support

To help you on your journey, we offer a comprehensive range of resources including workshops, one-on-one career advising, networking events, and access to a vibrant alumni network. Whether you're looking to hone your résumé, perfect your portfolio, or build your professional network, we're here to guide you.

We also partner with local artists, designers, and business leaders who open their doors to PNCA students and alumni for unique learning experiences, such as informational interviews and behind-the-scenes tours. These opportunities allow you to connect with industry professionals and showcase your talents to potential employers. Our robust internship program is another way we help you gain invaluable experience, connecting you with some of the most influential creative minds in Portland and beyond.

Lynn Brown and a student meeting in the Career Design Office.
Resume & Portfolio Development Help Showcase Your Talent

First impressions matter, especially in the creative industries. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping you develop a polished resume, portfolio, and website that effectively communicate your strengths to curators, gallerists, and employers. We offer workshops on résumé writing and website building, and invite industry recruiters to provide portfolio reviews. Our connections with companies like Laika ensure that PNCA students are on the radar of top creative employers.

A student standing in front of their work at Focus Week.
Sharpen Your Skills with Our Workshops, Tours, and Events

Our workshops cover essential topics like crafting a résumé or CV, acing interviews, grant-writing, developing a professional portfolio, and networking. We also focus on entrepreneurial skills, offering intensives on taxes, contracts, copyright, marketing, and accounting for artists. Recent workshops include:

  • Taxes for Creatives
  • Social Media for Artists
  • Grant Writing Workshop
  • Kickstarter 101
  • Public Art Commissions
  • Protect Your Art, and Yourself

We also organize tours and events that give you a behind-the-scenes look at creative industries, such as the Form3D Foundry Tour and visits to Schoolhouse Electric Supply. These experiences are designed to inspire and prepare you for the diverse opportunities in the creative field.

Three students sitting outside of the 511 building on a sunny day.

We Are Your Gateway to Job Opportunities

Handshake

Through our exclusive online jobs board, Handshake, you’ll have access to a constantly updated list of full- and part-time jobs, contract gigs, collaborations, and work-study positions on the PNCA campus. It’s your one-stop shop for finding the right opportunities to kick-start your career.

Internships: Real-World Experience with Industry Leaders

Finding an Internship

We’re committed to helping you find internships that align with your career goals. Whether you’re interested in working with artists, advertising firms, animation studios, museums, galleries, or other creative institutions, we’re here to support you in securing the right internship. Our students have interned with top companies like:

  • adidas
  • Laika
  • Nike
  • Wieden+Kennedy
  • OMSI
  • Tin House
  • Ziba

These internships allow you to gain hands-on experience, build your résumé, and make important industry connections. The Office of Career Design is here to help you every step of the way, from finding the right internship to ensuring you get the most out of the experience.

Find an Intern

Organizations and companies who have worked with our students as interns know that our students are creative problem solvers above all. If you would like to hire a PNCA student as an intern, please contact The Office of Career Design.

Connect with Our

Alumni Network on LinkedIn

Stay connected with our vibrant alumni community by joining PNCA on LinkedIn. It’s a valuable resource for networking, finding job opportunities, and staying engaged with the PNCA family long after you graduate.

Willamette University

Connect With PNCA

  • Glass Building

    Address

    2139 N Kerby Ave
    Portland Oregon 97227 U.S.A.

    Contact

    503-226-4391

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