SMAD Day 2022 is Friday, Oct. 21

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.

Student registration

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.

Alumni registration

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 Ave. 

2022 Schedule*

 9-10:00 a.m. — On-site Registration

Continental breakfast and on-site registration for SMAD alumni (SMAD main office, Harrison 0276)
Student check-in / on-site registration will available near the ground floor breezeway of Harrison Hall

10 a.m.-noon — Resume & Portfolio Review

No appointment necessary, first come first served

11:30 a.m. -1:30 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. 

1:45-3 p.m. — Career and Professional Panels—open to all

• "How to Land that First Job" — Harrison 1261
  

  How does one go about landing their first job? Is it the job you expected to get? Did it grow out of an internship or freelance opportunity? How important were connections and relationships to landing that job? Panelists should share a few minutes about their own experiences of securing their first job and share wisdom to those who will follow. Q and A will follow.

• "Following Your Passion and Purpose" — Harrison 2105
  
  Many students hear that if you are passionate about what you do, it isn't really work. How does one discover this? Did you find this on the first job or after many less successful positions? Passion can also be about what you want to work on - including personal areas of interest or causes. Did you target positions in a specific industry or non-profit? Q and A will follow.
  
  
• "Mastering Media Gig Work" — Harrison 0102
  
  Many of our students will work freelance at some point. What are the benefits of gig work? What are the challenges? Does holding a full-time position allow me to continue to create on the side? Q and A will follow.
  
  
• "Career Surprises" — Harrison 1241
  
  Working from an unexpected location? Working in an industry you weren't planning on? Continuing your education? What surprised you most as you began your career? We all have ideas about our career path that often changes due to connections and unexpected circumstances. How have these changes provided new opportunities? Q and A will follow.
  
  

3-4 p.m. — Informal Mixer open to all (Outside under the tent between Harrison Hall and Converse Hall)

QuadFest starts at 5pm!

*all 2022 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 format, especially for the panels, which might have limited space depending on the room.

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 set 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, 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 in-person participants. 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 wifi 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. 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.