SMAD Day 2023 is Friday, October 27
Ready to build your career, network with industry professionals, and get feedback on your portfolio or resume? SMAD Day brings together students, alumni and faculty for informative career sessions and networking opportunities. Sessions will cover careers, portfolios, resumes, interviewing, and more.
SMAD Day also is a wonderful opportunity for alumni to catch up with each other and share their career and life journeys with current students — as well as update each other and faculty on their achievements.
This button below takes you to the alumni homecoming weekend schedule and registration. Search for "SMAD Day" and add the “SMAD Day” event to your registration on this page so that we know you are coming.
Check in will begin at 9 a.m. in Harrison Hall 0276. Free parking without a parking pass is available in the Warsaw Parking Deck, 157 Warsaw Avenue, between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. No parking permits or vouchers will be necessary.
2023 Schedule*
9-10 a.m. — Alumni On-site Registration
Continental breakfast and on-site registration for SMAD alumni.
(SMAD main office, Harrison 0276)
9:30-10 a.m. — Student On-site Registration
Check in and get info on the day's events.
(Harrison Hall ground-floor breezeway)
10 a.m.-Noon — Resume & Portfolio Review
Students who sign up ahead of time have priority. Walk-ins accepted.
(Locations — Harrison Hall rooms TBD)
Noon-1:15 p.m. — Student and Alumni Lunch
(Outside under the tent between Harrison Hall and Converse Hall)
SMAD Dog Days (hot dogs and cookies) will be available for everyone. And if anyone has dietary restrictions, please list them on the registration form so that we can provide an alternative.
1:30-3 p.m. — Career and Professional Panels/Mixers
(Open to all)
- Creative Advertising Panel — Room TBD
- Digital Video & Cinema Panel — Room TBD
- Interactive Design Panel — Room TBD
- Journalism Panel — Room TBD
QuadFest starts at 5pm!
*all 2023 events will be in-person
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to register for SMAD day?
No. Walk-ins may register on site, but you will be able to participate on a first-come, first served basis, especially for the resume / portfolio reviews and panels, which might have limited space and reviewer availability.
Can I attend without participating the resume / portfolio review?
Yes. You can still get a lot out of the day without participating in the resume / portfolio review.
What should I wear?
If you are planning to participate in the resume / portfolio review, you should consider business casual to make a good first impression.
For alumni & general attendees, consider wearing your SMAD swag or JMU colors.
What should I bring for the day?
Any materials you want to share (resumes, portfolio, your laptop, etc.).
Do I need to attend all day?
No, but make sure to check the schedule so you can hit the events that are most relevant to your interests.
What is the review format?
Most reviews will be in a round robin / speed dating format.
Can I present my portfolio digitally?
You may present your portfolio digitally, but consider bringing a laptop or tablet to display your portfolio. SMAD labs will not be available for use during the reviews. Notify the room coordinator when you arrive for SMAD day if there are special considerations.
It is your responsibility to be prepared and check the Wi-Fi and/or make sure your laptop battery is charged. Technical support and charging stations will not be provided.
Will there be food?
Yes, we'll have hot dogs for everyone at lunchtime. And if anyone has dietary restrictions, please list them on the registration form so that we can provide an alternative.
Alumni are welcome to arrive starting at 9 a.m. to mingle and get coffee and a continental breakfast.
What's the parking situation?
Free parking without a parking pass is available in the Warsaw Parking Deck, 157 Warsaw Ave. Enforcement officers will be requested to avoid issuing citations to unregistered campus visitors on 10/27/2023 between 7:00am and 6:00pm. No parking permits or vouchers will be necessary between those hours.
All regulations for JMU students, faculty and staff will remain in effect, and students attending the event are required to park in appropriate student parking lots with a JMU parking permit.
You can view the JMU online parking map (https://www.jmu.edu/parking/_files/parkingmap.pdf) to locate the Warsaw Parking Deck.
