Alumni in Action: Courtauld Careers

 

This year, The Courtauld embarked on a dramatic expansion effort to link current and former students with the resources and experiences of Courtauld alumni. Building on the foundation of the annual Alumni Careers Lecture, eight programmes were hosted between January and March in an effort to expose those just starting out to a broader range of career opportunities and shed some light on the mysteries of job-hunting.

Two large panel-style lectures were held in the Kenneth Clark Lecture Theatre. The first, on ‘Entering a Career in the Arts’, saw alumni Paula Feldman, Jerzy Kierkuc-Bielinski, Maria Paphiti, and Anna Somers Cocks speaking candidly to a packed audience on careers in arts publishing, auction houses, curatorial work, and commercial galleries. In February, alumni Robert Baylis, Richard Farmbrough, Jane Heffron, and Daniel McClean opened students’ and alumni’s eyes to the prospects of ‘Using Your Arts Background in Other Fields’, showing the relevance of a Courtauld training in fields such as teaching, law, banking, and media. Both of these sessions gave attendees a brief taste of a range of career options, including ones they may never have considered. Subsequent drinks receptions stimulated further discussions between panellists and students.

Simultaneously, a new series of six smaller roundtable careers sessions was launched. Entitled ‘Coffee, Conversation and Careers,’ these intimate afternoon discussions featured one or two alumni chatting with ten to fifteen students and recent graduates, facilitating more personal conversation and allowing participants to explore particular fields. Topics covered ranged from arts journalism and PR to conservation to entering the field later in life, and alumni David Cohen, Calum Sutton, Barnaby Wright, Karen Hearn, Paula Henderson, Sarah Cove, and Maria David generously gave their time to leading these sessions. The events were very popular and provoked stimulating discussions. Those attending provided feedback on the experience, such as, ‘[It was] an honest take on the pros and cons of the industry,’ and, ‘It was reassuring to hear others’ questions and concerns.’

In total, nearly 200 students and recent alumni benefited from these programmes, and we will continue to build relationships between students and alumni under the aegis of the Courtauld Association. Many thanks are again in order to all those who participated.

If you are interested in helping students just setting out, please indicate this on your Alumni Update Form, or contact Alumni Relations Officer Janine Catalano at janine.catalano@courtauld.ac.uk for more information.



The Courtauld Association Network – connecting individuals and employers


After completing her MA at The Courtauld in 2007 in Early Netherlandish Painting, Hattie Banks was eager to find a job suited to her specialisation. Simultaneously, the respected London gallery Colnaghi was in search of a qualified individual to fill an opening. Having registered on the Courtauld Association Network (CAN), Colnaghi employee and Courtauld alumna Sarah Gallagher posted the job on the CAN Careers Centre to make it accessible to current and former Courtauld students. Hattie saw the opening on CAN, applied, and was offered the position, and is now putting her Courtauld training to work.

This is just one of several examples of the Courtauld Association Network in action, providing benefits for all members of The Courtauld community.

Do you have a job opening which you want a Courtauld-qualified individual to fill? Are you still trying to find a job or internship for this summer, or looking for a new opportunity? Connect via The Courtauld on CAN today!

To find out more, gain access to the careers centre, fellow classmates’ and colleagues’ personal pages, upcoming events and promotions, regional and interest discussion groups, the latest Courtauld Alumni news, receive a forwarding email service and much more, go to www.courtauldassociation.org and input your ID number (found on your Courtauld Association membership card). Please contact Janine Catalano at janine.catalano@courtauld.ac.uk or 020 7848 1082 with any questions or problems.



alumni reunions, regional events and networks


In addition to the expanded programme of career advising, this year has seen many exciting new events and opportunities for alumni, largely due to the support and generosity of former students themselves.


Highlights have included:

  • The second-hand book sale in October which raised £8,500 in support of student travel 
  • A Champagne breakfast and symposium on contemporary Kazakhstani video art during Frieze Weekend in October, co-organised with the Research Forum
  • Welcome Back drinks for the Class of 2007 in November
  • A visit to the Turner Prize at Tate Liverpool in December, hosted by Director Dr Christoph Grunenberg (MA 1988 PhD 1994)
  • The annual Courtauld Christmas Carol Service and drinks reception
  • The first Alumni Professional Networking event in March, held in collaboration with the Royal College of Art in their Printmaking and Sculpture students’ works-in-progress show
  • A private tour of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in April, with support from Director Dr Simon Groom (MA 1994 PhD 1999)


Please contact Alumni Relations Officer Janine Catalano at 020 7848 1082 or at janine.catalano@courtauld.ac.uk with any questions or suggestions about programming, and visit www.courtauldassociation.org for the latest event information.

Alumni and guests outside the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, with Curator, Daniel Herrmann (far right)

 

second hand book sale


Calling Alumni and Supporters! Please send us any books in good condition which you no longer need. Books are welcome at any time after June. Please contact Janine Catalano on 020 7848 1082 or janine.catalano@courtauld.ac.uk

Jane Ferguson