By Joanne Hinkel Illustrated by Grant Reynolds

continued..

Some of the students interviewed for this article praised their instructors for sharing personal insights into the reality of the workforce, while others said they weren't interested in wasting limited class time on such a noncreative topic.
       Many students don't know that Career Development, on the seventh floor of the Champlain Building, deals extensively with the obstacle of finding work after graduation. In addition to extensive computer databases which list employment and funding opportunities in the arts in the arts, director Kate Schutta and her colleagues offer students the unlimited resource that is themselves. Through one-on-one counseling, they can discuss students' career options, and help them write resumes, develop artist statements, practice their interviewing skills, and draft grant proposals.
        But despite being free, easy, and available, Schutta says that not enough people are taking advantage of Career Development's resources. "I find that those who use the services already have initiative," she says. "Since we don't require exit interviews, those who use our services [come here on their own will,] so they are naturally motivated. The challenge is getting to the people who need it the most."
       Last month, Career Development sponsored Out of the Studio into the World, a symposium that took place in the Grand Ballroom on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. A low turn-out was expected, but over 120 students showed up to hear panels of artists, critics, and curators discuss legal issues, funding, and finding representation, proving that students are thinking about their careers.
       But down to the really important questions: How successful are graduates from SAIC? How many graduates turn out to be working artists? How many people "make it?" The administration keeps no such statistics, so it's hard to tell. Schutta and her colleagues are developing an alumni survey, though, in the hope of providing a better sense of employment realities. "We know how the economy is," Schutta says. "We know that most people have some kind of job. What we don't know is how meaningful that job is [for the person]."
       Pam Bagdzinski feels as ready as she'll ever be to graduate. While she may have to do some lounge singing, at least she's aware that the road for artists will never be an easy one. "There's only so much [SAIC] can do. I think as an artist you're going to need to be motivated in the long run," she said.
       In order to avoid the rhetoric of motivational speaking, recall the words of Bob Dylan, who sums up this sentiment without being sentimental when he sings, "Life is sad. Life is a bust. All ya can do is do what you must. You do what you must do and ya do it well." We will all find the motivation to do the things that matter. Why else would we be here, taking this chance, taking out loans, accumulating debts, putting ourselves out there, reading this, if art didn't matter?