R+R
YOU CAN’T GET A JOB WITHOUT EXPERIENCE. BUT YOU CAN’T GET EXPERIENCE WITHOUT A JOB. The paradox is as old as the dawn of higher education and as relevant today as it was then. So, we thought we would do something about it. Five years ago, Ringling College of Art and Design introduced the “Ringling College Collaboratory Commitment*,” a guarantee that every student will have the opportunity to take on actual client work during their time at the College. Students get connected with businesses via a number of channels:
+ ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT PROJECTS + ART NETWORK + CAREER SERVICES INTERNSHIPS + THE COLLABORATORY + DESIGN CENTER + SERVICE-LEARNING + VOLUNTEERISM + STUDENT LIFE + THE RINGLING COLLEGE STUDIO LABS This section presents a handful of these projects, with an in-depth look at the specific challenge presented, the process, and the results. Notice, you won’t read about our students making copies or running out for coffee. They’re building experience, portfolios, and the confidence to break out of the catch-22 and into the career of their dreams.
*The Collaboratory is an initiative developed by Ringling College in partnership with The Patterson Foundation that provides creative, experiential learning opportunities to all of its students.
44 CONTXT | SPRING 2019
