Build Your Brand. Grow Your Network: CCA Professional Development Day

A day of hands-on workshops, photo sessions, and panel conversations for the CCA community to build skills, confidence, and connections. Come ready to ask questions and learn how to present yourself, your work, and network with confidence. You’ll leave with practical strategies, industry insights, and tools to support your path in the arts, whether you’re pursuing work as an independent artist, designer, educator, or creative entrepreneur. There will even be prizes! This event is a key step in preparing for the upcoming Emerging Talent Career Connections networking event. You don’t want to miss it! Need to create a CV or resume, but unsure where to begin? Want to go over your current resume and see what can be improved? Working on a cover letter for an application? Come meet with Associate Director of Professional Development, Kris McGhee and LRC career coaches for real time feedback. Please come prepared with print copies and your laptop. This event will be first-come, first served. The first step in marketing yourself as you enter the job market is with a professional headshot. Make a strong first impression while showcasing your personal identity and professional branding for websites, LinkedIn profiles, publications, speaking engagements, and more. This is also a great time to prepare for the upcoming Emerging Talent Career Connections Networking event on November 18th. Indicate your interest, by filling out this form. Photos will be taken on a first come, first served basis, roughly 5-10 minutes per session. You will fill out a digital intake form to ensure timely delivery of your images. Dress professionally, but in a way that highlights your personality. Photos are taken from the chest up. Remember to wear something you feel best represents you professionally/artisticaly, schedule your haircut, or whatever prep you need to do to feel and look your best! A strong LinkedIn profile is more than an online resume, it’s your digital reputation that helps you stand out, build credibility, and attract career opportunities. Join Senior Design Manager, Kristine Yuen , as she leads a workshop on the most successful ways to create your LinkedIn profile and utilise it as a strategic positioning tool for your professional growth in today's job market. Please Note: Capacity will be limited. Seating is first come, first served. Are you uncomfortable with networking? Unsure how to introduce or market yourself to professionals? This panel discussion and workshop will teach you successful self-presentation and how to network with ease! Join us for The Art of the Introduction: Successful Self-Presentation & Networking With Ease featuring CCA's Industry Professional Advisors sharing career advice for emerging talent in creative fields! The Art of the Introduction will include a moderated panel discussion from our leading industry experts sharing their creative journeys, networking advice, and insights for securing artistic opportunities. This will be followed by group workshops led by each panelist focusing on the soft skills needed to create a lasting impression. Special prizes will be awarded to the top 3 candidates: payment towards your own merch or alternative 'business card' designs (stickers, pens, magnets etc.) at a selected vendor! Jessamyn Violet Cuneo - Writing, Publishing, Social Media Branding, & Photography David Lauer - Animation, Stop Motion, and Film-making Joyce Grimm - Fine Art, Curation, Art & Design Community Engagement Caroline de Baere - Fashion and Industrial Design, Entrepreneurship, Design Ownership & Intellectual Property Expert If you have any questions, contact our Professional Engagement and External Partnerships Office at CCApro@cca.edu or the Associate Director of Professional Development, Kris McGhee , at Kris.McGhee@cca.edu.