Placement and Career Opportunities at Cornish College of the Arts

For Indian students aspiring to build a global career in the creative arts, Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington, offers a robust ecosystem designed to transform your artistic passion into professional success. As a leading institution for visual and performing arts, Cornish emphasizes hands-on learning, industry connections, and personalized career guidance. Whether you're pursuing degrees in Art, Design, Film, Music, or Theater, the college's placement services are tailored to help you navigate the competitive US creative job market. With the next intake approaching, now is the ideal time to explore how Cornish can launch your international career.

Career Services and Support

Cornish's Center for Career and Community Engagement is a dedicated hub that provides comprehensive support from your first year through alumni status. This is particularly beneficial for Indian students, who often seek structured guidance to adapt to the US job landscape. Key services include:

• Resume and Portfolio Building: Workshops focused on crafting artist resumes, digital portfolios, and cover letters that resonate with US employers in creative industries.
• Mock Interviews and Networking Skills: Practice sessions simulating real-world interviews with arts professionals, plus training on LinkedIn optimization and attending virtual/in-person networking events.
• Job Search Assistance: Access to an exclusive online job board featuring internships, entry-level positions, and freelance opportunities in Seattle's thriving arts scene, including connections to companies like Microsoft (for digital design) and local theaters.
• Visa and OPT Guidance: Specialized advising on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 visa holders, helping Indian students extend their stay post-graduation to gain US work experience.

International students receive additional resources, such as cultural adaptation seminars and partnerships with organizations like NAFSA to ease the transition from India to the Pacific Northwest's creative hub.

Internship Opportunities

Internships are at the heart of Cornish's curriculum, with over 90% of students completing at least one before graduation. These experiential placements bridge classroom learning and professional practice, offering paid and unpaid roles that count toward degree requirements. For Indian students, this is a golden opportunity to build a US work portfolio, essential for H-1B visa applications or returning to India's booming creative sectors like Bollywood, digital media, or advertising.

Popular internship partners include:

• Seattle Repertory Theatre and ACT Theatre for theater and performance majors.
• Adobe and local design studios for graphic and interaction design students.
• Independent film production companies and the Seattle International Film Festival for film enthusiasts.
• Music venues like The Paramount and record labels for audio production and performance tracks.

Many internships lead to full-time offers, with Cornish's location in Seattle—home to tech giants and a vibrant arts community—providing unparalleled access. In the next intake, incoming students can apply for summer internships starting as early as their sophomore year.

Employment Outcomes and Statistics

Cornish boasts impressive post-graduation outcomes, with 85% of graduates employed or freelancing within six months of completion, according to recent institutional data. While arts careers often involve diverse paths like freelancing, teaching, or entrepreneurship, the college's alumni thrive in roles such as graphic designers, filmmakers, choreographers, and art directors.

Here's a snapshot of placement trends for recent graduates:

Major	Employment Rate (6 Months Post-Grad)	Average Starting Salary (USD)	Top Industries
Art & Design	88%	$45,000 - $55,000	Advertising, Tech (UI/UX), Galleries
Film & Media	82%	$40,000 - $50,000	Production Houses, Streaming Services, Freelance
Music	79%	$35,000 - $45,000	Performance, Recording Studios, Education
Theater	84%	$38,000 - $48,000	Theaters, Film/TV, Community Arts

These figures are competitive for entry-level creative roles in the US, and many alumni pursue further opportunities in cities like New York or Los Angeles. For Indian students, Cornish's focus on transferable skills—such as digital tools and collaborative projects—enhances employability back home with firms like Tata Consultancy Services' media arms or international collaborations.

Alumni Success Stories

Cornish alumni have made waves globally, inspiring Indian students to envision their own paths. For instance, Chitra Ganesh, an Indian-American visual artist and Cornish alumna, has exhibited at major venues like the Brooklyn Museum, blending South Asian influences with contemporary art. Closer to home, graduates like Rahul Patel (class of 2019, from Mumbai) secured a design internship at Amazon post-OPT and now leads a creative team in Seattle, crediting Cornish's mentorship for his transition.

Another success is Aisha Khan, a Theater major from Delhi, who leveraged Cornish's connections to perform Off-Broadway and later founded an Indo-US theater exchange program. These stories highlight how the college's alumni network—over 10,000 strong—offers lifelong support, including mentorship programs and job referrals tailored for international graduates.

Why Cornish for Your US Career Launch?

As an Indian student preparing for the next intake, Cornish stands out for its intimate class sizes (average 15 students), allowing personalized attention from faculty who are active industry professionals. The college's emphasis on entrepreneurship equips you to navigate freelance economies, vital in both US and Indian markets. With Seattle's cost of living balanced by scholarships (up to $20,000 for internationals) and part-time work options on campus, financial barriers are minimized.

Prepare for OPT extensions in STEM-designated programs like Interaction Design, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Join Cornish to not just study art, but to create your professional legacy in the world's creative capital. Contact admissions today to secure your spot and kickstart your placement journey.