Fashion icon, accessories designer and Career Academy Asia board member Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez shares some tips to get your career started.
With competition for jobs at an all-time high, most graduates are haunted with the age-old question: “Will I end up where I imagined myself to be?” The anxiety grows even more if the aspired industry is in the creative field – arts, film, media, design and publishing – which seems closed off but to a select, well-connected few.
Believe it or not, there are some things you can do to get a foot in the door.
1. Harness your talent
Practice, research and immerse. These are the top three things one can do without any constraints. “No matter how inadequate you feel about your creative inclinations, you definitely have what it takes to pursue your passion,” de Leon-Gonzalez said. “Practicing, researching and immersing in your art will expand your knowledge and will allow you to grow as an artist.”
2. Develop your own style
Josie Natori. Monique Lhuiller. Kenneth Cobonpue. These are just some of the numerous well-known Filipino designers who rose to fame because of their distinct style.
“Art is very personal and is therefore appreciated by enthusiasts who share the same aesthetics as the creator. And being a young artist, you cannot help but be inspired by those you see. But as you garner more years and experience in executing your ideas, you will find that you most often veer towards a certain approach and technique. Take this opportunity to create a style recognizably and uniquely your own,” she said.
3. Art needs business
“While some creative individuals express distaste and aversion for handling the business side of their endeavor, they have to accept that in order to thrive, they must have some sense of basic entrepreneurial knowledge,” de Leon-Gonzales said.
Take a crash course in business. Do some research. Or get a trusted friend to help you out. The important thing is you know at least the basics to get your business started then you can get your work out there. In the end, art is a business and artists have to make difficult, honest business decisions. While it’s tough enough to make a living doing what you love, it’s even tougher when the money side of things is not as clear to you as it should be.
All these can be done on your own as you look towards launching your creative career path but it takes so much time and effort. Career Academy Asia, the latest educational innovation from the PHINMA Group, focuses on developing these in each graduate.
“Career Academy Asia makes sure it produces quality graduates by honing their students in creativity, entrepreneurship and character formation. It offers courses in every design field suited to the interests of every student and will only continue to expand its programs in the coming years as it works alongside international design institutions. Such partnership allows every student the opportunity to pursue further education internationally,” de Leon-Gonzales said.
The Philippines’ first senior high school that awards an international diploma alongside a Philippine diploma, will specialize in design, arts and management taught by industry experts and practitioners. Its partner institutions are Singapore-based: First Media Design School (FMDS) and School D’ Hospitality Institute (SDH), both recognized internationally as excellent institutions.
Aside from the Singapore diplomas they earn, what sets the Career Academy Asia graduates apart is the opportunity to pursue higher education in other partner schools in Singapore, the United Kingdom, Australia and France.
“An integral part of learning is, especially in the arts, exposure. To gain access to international works and artists gives students an in-depth understanding and profound appreciation for their craft. By making this available, Career Academy Asia offers each student the extraordinary opportunity to explore the world, broaden his perspective and learn new trends and technology, while in pursuit of a career in arts and design,” she added.
Starting June 2015, Career Academy Asia in Rockwell Center, Makati City will be conducting workshops, talks and weekly open house sessions. An interactive event where you can explore your creativity and discover your passion is also set on June 17, 2015. To join, please sign up through www.careeracademy.asia.