Internship & Job Search Strategies

The process of securing internships and employment is as much about strategic navigation as it is about self-knowledge and readiness. This guide outlines intentional approaches to building professional momentum, helping you prepare strong applications and a meaningful direction for your career.

Dedicate time each week to applying for roles, checking in with your network, and updating your materials. Not every role will align perfectly with your experience. Apply to opportunities where you meet most, but not necessarily all, qualifications. Let your materials reflect not only what you have done, but how you think.

• Explore job boards and career sites regularly. Visit the “Careers” pages of your target companies and check relevant job boards at least twice a week. Early applicants often have a significant advantage, so staying proactive is essential.
• Apply widely and wisely. Do not wait for the “perfect” match. If you meet at least 50 percent of the qualifications, it is worth applying. Use your application materials to emphasize your capacity to learn, adapt, and grow in the role. Communicate your potential with confidence.

Job searches take time and may involve an interim period between school and full-time work. Be honest with yourself about your current resources. While this stage is about landing a position, it is also about sustaining your momentum and protecting your energy.

• Take stock of your income and savings.
• Create a budget that reflects your expenses during the search.
• Consider short-term or freelance roles as bridge opportunities.

Professional opportunities are often driven by relationships. Networking, both online and in person, creates a web of support, ideas, and visibility. For tips on networking, view our companion resource.

Online

• Maintain your LinkedIn profile and connect with faculty, mentors, and peers.
• Follow organizations, companies, creatives, and studios that inspire you on platforms like Instagram.
• Send concise, purposeful outreach messages, especially to individuals at organizations where you have applied.
   

In Person

• Attend gallery openings, lectures, and professional events in your field
  Prioritize gatherings relevant to your practice (e.g., EXPO Chicago, NeoCon, AIGA).
• Presence matters! You do not need to network loudly to be remembered.

A meaningful search is both exploratory and intentional. Identify companies whose mission and work align with your values. Research their structure, clients, and public presence. Follow them online and study their language, then mirror that tone and content alignment in your materials (but do not forget to be authentic).

The internet is full of job boards and career pages—the key is knowing how to find and navigate them. Instead of trying to monitor every site, start by identifying a few sources that post opportunities aligned with your goals. Bookmark your favorite platforms and get into the habit of checking them periodically.

Many of the best opportunities are not shared in just one place. Some employers post only on their own websites. If there is a studio, organization, or company you admire, go directly to their “Careers” or “Opportunities” page and keep it bookmarked.

Rather than relying on a static, lengthy list of websites, learn how to uncover job boards yourself:

• Search “[your field] + job board” or “[your industry] + opportunities” on Google.
• Look at where peers and mentors share job openings.
• Explore professional organizations or newsletters related to your practice.
   

As we mentioned, there is no single “right” site for creatives, but some of the most helpful platforms include:

• Handshake: Your home base for all CAPX-reviewed internships and jobs.
• Chicago Artists Coalition: A great source for local roles and opportunities, including calls for artists.
• New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA): Especially strong for artists and administrators.
• GoinGlobal: If you are considering international opportunities.
   

Tip: CAPX shares new opportunities nearly every day on our LinkedIn page. Follow us there to stay up to date with jobs, internships, and events specifically chosen for SAIC students and alums. Have a quick question while you are searching? You can always DM us on LinkedIn or Instagram!

Every submission should feel intentional. Customize your resume and cover letter to the role and use your portfolio to show—not just tell—how you think and make.

Practice your narrative using Big Interview, a virtual platform for mock interviews and professional storytelling. It is especially helpful for rehearsing behavioral questions and articulating creative work.

Rejections are inevitable. They do not define your talent or potential. Persistence and presence are key. Every conversation, every revised application, every gallery visit adds to the composite of your professional life. Stay grounded by:

• Setting manageable weekly goals
• Finding community and creative outlets outside your search
• Acknowledging progress beyond outcomes

Staying organized, curious, and consistent will take you far. As your search evolves, remember that you are not in it alone. The CAPX team is here to support you at every stage. If you have questions about where to look for jobs in your field, want feedback on your application materials, or need help navigating a specific industry, schedule an appointment with a CAPX advisor. We can help you clarify your goals and connect you with resources that make sense for your practice.

If you are pursuing a teaching position at a college, university, community program, or independent school, your job search may require additional materials and a slightly different strategy. In these cases, it is important to combine the foundational practices outlined above with research specific to academic institutions and arts education environments.

Once your teaching materials are underway, begin exploring how and where you would like to apply. Because institutional cultures, job structures, and hiring practices vary widely, your approach should be both targeted and exploratory.

Consider the following prompts as you begin:

• What kind of institution or program aligns with your interests and values?
• What types of teaching roles match your background and aspirations?
• Where (geographically or within your discipline) do you want to focus your search?
   

These platforms are excellent places to begin identifying academic or arts education opportunities:

• Academic Keys: Broad academic job listings across disciplines
• Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) Job Board: Openings in independent art and design schools
• Chronicle of Higher Education Jobs: National higher education listings with advanced filters
• College Art Association Career Center: Academic positions in the visual arts