Career and Professional Development
The Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) believes that preparing for a fulfilling, meaningful, and productive life and career is one of the most important services we provide for Pratt students and alumni. We inspire, support, and educate students and alumni providing a holistic approach to career and professional development.
CCPD staff stay abreast of changing trends and employer needs, maintain relationships with employers and internship providers nationally and internationally, and offer curated opportunity fairs and networking events, portfolio reviews, and site visits so employers can recruit from the talented Pratt community year round.
CCPD strategists work with Graduate students on résumés, cover letters, portfolio reviews, interview prep, and basic and advanced personal and professional development action plans. We guide students through their internship and job search, career transitions, and implementation of freelance and studio practices, and entrepreneurial and small business planning. Extended support is offered in work life balance and stress management. We also offer coaching in the areas of Fulbright grants, exhibition submissions, fellowships, and residencies.
Navigating a job search can be difficult during this time, so we have compiled a page of FAQs and resources (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YRLNwwdfNRN0iq2BE3GCDYrRXanpKtHg/view).
The CCPD provides:
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Professional Development Programming
We offer workshops, panels, lectures, opportunity fairs, and networking events where students can meet alumni and industry professionals, and gain tools to create a life and career plan. Guest speakers cover topics that relate to careers in creative industries, review portfolios, and hold interview sessions and discussions on topics such as big data and high-value innovation. -
Individual and Group Career Advising
Individual career advising is available in person or online to Pratt students and alumni for life. Individual and group advising sessions and workshops are scheduled throughout the year using Pratt Pro. -
Entrepreneurship + Innovation: The Ignition Lab
The CCPD delivers resources for students and alumni who want to become successful entrepreneurs through the Ignition Lab program, which consists of regular meetings over a 7-month period, live streaming of industry innovator speakers, and culminates in a pitch competition. -
Industry Outreach and Pratt Pro Job Board
The CCPD manages the Pratt Pro job board, on which thousands of new positions are posted each year. We perform outreach to employers around the world. We visit studios and organize firm trips for students to learn about the latest industry trends. Each year, the CCPD hosts opportunity fairs, roundtable discussions, and creative-career conferences with visiting partners, recruiters, and industry leaders. All of our programs are developed to educate students and alumni as well as provide networking opportunities with the creative professional community. -
Online Resources and Online Portfolio
The CCPD staff have developed guides, videos, and online resource lists for all majors located at https://www.pratt.edu/student-life/student-services/center-for-career-and-professional-development/resources/. You can also follow us on instagram (@PrattCCPD) to learn about upcoming events and other opportunities. CCPD staff help students curate portfolios and develop their online presence. Behance features Pratt students at portfolios.pratt.edu. Students can promote their work under the Pratt brand with the Behance platform. “Pratt Institute Portfolios” reaches a wide audience of industry professionals on the lookout for the best creative talent.
The staff of the CCPD welcomes your questions. To find out how the CCPD can help you, contact career@pratt.edu.
PRATT INSTITUTE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Internships are learning experiences in the workplace that relate to students’ majors or professional pursuits. Interns are able to take the skills and theories learned in the classroom and apply them to real-life work experience.
Graduate internships play a crucial role in developing skills and offering professional perspectives. An internship at Pratt is an academic opportunity available to full-time matriculated students every semester, including summer semester. For more information about internships, students should speak to their department chair. You may also visit https://www.pratt.edu/student-life/student-services/center-for-career-and-professional-development/internship-program/.
Some key components of a Pratt Internship:
- The experience is a full semester.
- The experience can be paid or unpaid.
- Internships are available to all domestic, international, and transfer students during their time at Pratt.
- Internship credits vary from 0 to 3 credits based on individual departmental policy.
Students are required to watch the required Internship Orientation video (found here) before you register for an internship course. The video will inform you about the internship program, how to begin an internship search, and how to find departmental eligibility information.
Following the completion of the video, look through the Academic Internship Guide to clarify any questions and subsequently complete either the international student or domestic student internship quiz.
You can book an appointment to learn more about internships through Pratt Pro or contact career@pratt.edu.
Associate Directors
Carl Fengler
cfengler@pratt.edu
Deborah Yanagisawa
dyanagis@pratt.edu
Senior Career and Industry Strategist
Hera Marashian
hmarashi@pratt.edu
Assistant Director
Mackenzie Adriance
madrianc@pratt.edu
Career Development and Industry Specialist
Melanie Barksdale
mbark687@pratt.edu
Office
career@pratt.edu
Tel: 718.636.3506
www.pratt.edu/ccpd
RESILIENCE, WELLNESS, AND WELL-BEING
The Resilience, Wellness, and Well-being (RWW) Council and project at Pratt is dedicated to creating a culture where the entire Pratt community can flourish and thrive through our focus on connection, engagement, support, and well-being.
The Resilience, Wellness and Well-Being Council celebrates a holistic approach to education and student/alumni success by expanding awareness of the pathways, support and opportunities to build and sustain resilience, wellness, and well-being for all of Pratt’s community members.
From drop-in meditation and student resources to faculty development workshops to support student flourishing across the Pratt campus, the Council advances the work of Pratt’s creative community through mindful inquiry, engaged programming, and contemplative pedagogy, including:
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Student, Staff, and Faculty Training and Development: Courses and programs such as the Pathways to Flourishing Studio Project, Meditation Incubator, and Art of Well-being course.
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Tiered Support and Self-Care: From well-being roundtables and the Farm to Campus healthy eating program to Mindful Pratt meetups and other initiatives
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Health Promotion: Embed health and well-being into all aspects of campus culture including programs, education and operations to support a whole campus approach to healthy lifestyles
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Resources: articles, videos, guidebooks, and more
Learn about these initiatives and more on our website: https://www.pratt.edu/student-life/student-services/resilience-wellness-and-well-being/
The RWW Council and project are a Student Affairs initiative and are overseen by: Council Chair, AVP Rhonda Schaller; RWW Project Coordinator, Jasmine Cuffie; and RWW Council Coordinator, Sam Harvey.
The staff of the RWW welcomes your questions.
To find out how the RWW can help you, contact rww@pratt.edu.
Assistant Vice President for Resilience, Wellness, and Well-being
Rhonda Schaller
rschal20@pratt.edu
Professional Development and Resilience Specialist
Sam Harvey
sharvey@pratt.edu
Coordinator for Health Promotion and Education
Jasmine Cuffie
jcuffie2@pratt.edu
Operations Manager
Alex Fisher
afish299@pratt.edu
Office
RWW@pratt.edu
https://www.pratt.edu/student-life/resilience-wellness-and-well-being/