DAAP students network with elite designers in New York City

On Sept. 26, these Bearcats took the next step forward: networking one-on-one with many of the Big Apple’s top designers.

DAAP organized a design crawl for UC’s co-op students in New York City, giving them an opportunity to learn from industry leaders while potentially finding job leads. UC is known for its exceptional arts and design programs, so prominent businesses were excited to connect with the next generation of Bearcat talent.

Three of the world’s leading creative companies were represented during the DAAP design crawl. Attendees were able to tour the offices of:

• Gensler: The world’s largest architecture firm by revenue and number of architects
• Ralph Lauren: Fashion company known for its namesake luxury label Polo along with the Lauren and Chaps brands
• SPARC Group: Fashion business that owns Aeropostale, Eddie Bauer, Forever 21, Nautica and Reebok, plus additional brands

Bearcat designers spent an hour in each office, receiving a tour and connecting with talent on each team. Spending face-to-face time with industry titans could lead DAAP students to future co-op positions and even lucrative job opportunities when they graduate from UC.

Following the design crawl, students attended a networking reception open to corporate partners and DAAP graduates now living in New York. Once again, Bearcats earned valuable advice from those currently working in the design space — and, in some cases, they also found mentors.

Shelby Schaffer, assistant professor of fashion design co-op at UC’s College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS), said the DAAP design crawl “serves to immerse students in the professional design world, enabling them to understand industry standards, expectations and work ethics firsthand.”

Just as importantly for DAAP’s aspiring designers, Schaffer said “the event fosters valuable networking opportunities, which can lead to future collaborations, mentorship or job placements.”

UC students receive unique opportunities to connect with top employers due to the school’s innovative approach to co-ops. U.S. News & World Report ranked the school fifth overall for co-op and internship programs due mainly to its ambitious students, inventive mindset and vast connections to the business world.

The university’s heightened emphasis on innovation also plays a role in UC’s desirability among leading companies. As businesses strive to increase quality and efficiency, they often enjoy hiring students who’ve used makerspaces before, understand proper business functions and sit on the leading edge of technology.

The DAAP design crawl gave co-op students unmatched access to elite talent and showed that UC students are in demand. Companies like Gensler, Ralph Lauren and the SPARC Group are looking to Bearcats for new talent, revealing the immense power of a UC degree.

Featured image at top: DAAP students network during the design crawl. Photo/Amanda Smith