Building Creative Careers At OCAD University

OCAD University works hard to ensure our students and alumni have excellent work and career opportunities!

OCAD University works hard to ensure our students and alumni have excellent work and career opportunities to support themselves financially and build the kind of future they want. Here are some of the ways we get our students set up for success in their future creative careers:

Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers

As a specialized art and design school, we are experts in employment in the creative sectors. Our Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is committed to supporting early-career advancement through academic and co-curricular services, workshops and networking opportunities with alumni and industry professionals.

Experiential Learning

While we bring experiential learning and industry professionals directly to the classroom, we also provide opportunities for students to take courses and internships for course credit that take them out into the world. This might include a Design Abroad course spending 3 weeks in India doing design work or an internship at a local design firm, gallery or magazine honing your skills and building connections.

GRAD EX

At the end of each year graduating 4th year students participate in GRAD EX, an exhibition of the best and the brightest. OCAD U is turned into a gallery where the public, cultural partners and industry professionals are invited. This is used as a launch pad for careers and a networking opportunity and portfolio builder for the professional world. Many students have work that is purchased by collectors, picked up for representation at a galleries, ideas are invested in or graduates hired by companies looking for new creative talent.

Imagination Catalyst

Students who have a business idea, product or service they’d like to take to market can participate in the Imagination Catalyst, our business incubator. The program helps them become entrepreneurs by developing a business plan, and assists in securing funds and investors and building awareness.