Career Development Checklist

First Years: Discovering Resources & Self-Interests

• Activate your Tisch College Central account by following the instructions here. This free online resource is packed with internship listings, details for all of Tisch’s career-related events, and downloadable guides.
• Create a professional resume. Not sure how to make one? Download our resume guide from our Career Document Library, attend a resume workshop or pop into our weekly Virtual Express Chats!
• Learn about your industry! Familiarize yourself with industry resources, including trade sites, professional organizations, and events (e.g. festivals, conferences).
• Start thinking about internships. What would you like to learn from an internship? Where and when would you like to do it? How would it fit into your academic schedule?
• Develop networking, interviewing, and other professional skills by attending one of TOCD’s workshops. You can find our schedule and more details in our calendar at bit.ly/TOCDCalendar
• Begin identifying and developing your personal and professional networks by getting to know your classmates and the Tisch faculty.
• Pop by the Tisch Office of Career Development to learn about our resources and how we can help prepare you for a life in the arts! Virtual Express Chats are held twice a week during the fall/spring semesters. Familiarize yourself with the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development too! They are a great resource to utilize as well!

Sophomores: Career Exploration

• Not on Tisch College Central yet? Activate your account now by following these instructions so you don’t miss out on the latest internships, jobs, and career-related events!
• Now that your resume is ready, is it updated? It's also time to learn how to write a cover letter so you’ll be ready to apply for internships. Drop by TOCD’s Virtual Express Chats (held twice a week during the fall/spring semesters) to get tips from a Tisch career counselor on making your resume and cover letter employer-ready!
• Identify role models, research professional prospects and discover career paths you may not have considered by attending TOCD’s industry panels and career events within your academic department.
• Identify possible internships by browsing Tisch College Central listings and attending TOCD’s annual fall Career Expo.
• Develop networking and interviewing skills by attending a TOCD workshop or get coaching from a Tisch career counselor.
• Discover your transferable skills: are you a good writer, great speaker, terrific researcher, or leader? Learn more about these skills, what they are and how they will help your career aspirations.
• Remember to cultivate and maintain the personal and professional relationships you’ve established so that your networks stay strong.
• Graduation may still be two years away but it’s never too early to make a post-graduation plan. Make an appointment with a career counselor to discuss your professional goals through the Appointment link in the Tisch College Central Dashboard. This is also a good time to be thinking about how your career and your academic goals line up. Check in about your career with your academic advisor or trusted faculty member!

Juniors: Career Planning & Goal Setting

• STILL not on Tisch College Central yet? Activate your account now by following the instructions here so you don’t miss out on the latest internships, jobs, and career-related events!
• Make sure your resume’s up to date! Haven’t had it checked yet? Bring it by TOCD during our Virtual Express Chats (held twice a week during the fall/spring semesters) to get feedback from our career counselors.
• Apply for internships! Find listings on Tisch College Central, attend TOCD’s annual fall Career Expo, and check with your department for recommendations. Also be sure to check out the resources at the NYU Wasserman Center.
• Maintain your personal and professional networks. Don’t forget to continue cultivating your professional contacts, including former intern supervisors and past professors.
• Need help with interview skills? Get coaching by doing a practice interview with a Tisch career counselor.
• What’s your digital footprint? Establish an effective online presence that presents you in a positive and professional manner and (if appropriate) documents your creative work. This can include a personal website and a LinkedIn Profile.
• Stay on top of the latest news in your industry by reading trade publications. Consult TOCD’s industry-specific Spotlight Guides for lists of resources.
• Attend TOCD’s annual Life After Tisch panel to get tips for your senior year.
• The business of the arts requires you to understand and be ready for pitching (projects/self), funding, marketing, audience cultivation and being an artistic entrepreneur. Attend events, grab our freelancers and/or funding guides, or make an appointment to learn more about these competencies.
• Meet with a Tisch career counselor to plan your post-graduation career strategy. Reflect on your experiences – do you need a shift in focus or are you headed in the right direction? Schedule a session by clicking the Appointment link in your Tisch College Central Dashboard.

Seniors: Transition & Action

• How is it possible that you’re not on Tisch College Central yet? Activate your account now by following the instructions here so you don’t miss out on the latest internships, jobs, and career-related events! Your student account will transfer to an alumni account after graduation. Stay active and connected with all we have to offer!
• Get feedback on your cover letter and resumes to ensure your job applications are in top form.
• Got room in your schedule to intern? Successful internships may lead to post-graduation jobs!
• Fine-tune your networking, interviewing, and other professional skills. Attend a workshop for a brush up!
• Do informational interviews with your personal and professional networks to get advice on your post-graduation life... DON'T WAIT UNTIL MAY!
• Check out TOCD’s options to connect with working professionals to get the inside scoop on your field.
• Polish your online presence, including your website, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile.
• Meet with a Tisch career counselor to discuss your professional goals and solidify your post-graduation job search strategy. Schedule a session by clicking on the Appointment link in your Tisch College Central Dashboard.

First Year Grad Students: Career Planning & Goal Setting

• Activate your Tisch College Central account by following the instructions here. This free online resource is packed with internship and job listings, details for all of Tisch’s career-related events, and downloadable guides.
• Is your resume in shape? Pop into TOCD's Virtual Express Chats (held twice a week during the fall/spring semesters) and have it checked.
• How’s your industry knowledge? Bone up with industry resources, including trade sites, professional organizations, and events (e.g. festivals, conferences)
• Thinking of internships? Find listings on Tisch College Central, attend TOCD’s annual Career Expo, and check with your department for recommendations.
• The business of the arts requires you to understand and be ready for pitching (projects/self), funding, marketing, audience cultivation and being an artistic entrepreneur. Attend events, grab our freelancers and/or funding guides or make a career counseling appointment to learn more about these competencies.
• Want to develop your networking, interviewing, and other professional skills? Attend a TOCD workshop or get coaching from a Tisch career counselor.
• Begin identifying and developing your personal and professional networks by getting to know your classmates and the Tisch faculty.
• Meet with a career counselor to discuss your professional goals and develop a post-graduation career strategy. Schedule a session by clicking on the Appointment link in your Tisch College Central Dashboard.

Second & Third Year Grad Students: Transition & Action

• Not on Tisch College Central yet? Activate your account now by following the instructions here so you don’t miss out on the latest internships, jobs, and career-related events! Your student account will transfer to an alumni account after graduation. Stay active and connected with all we have to offer!
• Get feedback on your cover letter and resumes to ensure your job applications are in top form.
• Got room in your schedule to intern? Successful internships may lead to post-graduation jobs!
• Fine-tune your networking, interviewing, and other professional skills. Attend a TOCD workshop for a brush up!
• Do informational interviews with your personal and professional networks to get advice on your post-graduation life.
• Polish your online presence, including your website and LinkedIn profile.
• Meet with a career counselor to discuss your professional goals and solidify your post-graduation job search strategy. Schedule a session by clicking on the Appointment link in your Tisch College Central Dashboard.

All year long, TOCD is available to provide support through: