Hands-on experience when graduating

Was: New Members for July 9, 2008

How, just how is someone like me who works hard, and just out of
school supposed to get experience if no one will hire me? Does
anyone know why this happens? 

Go to one of those quick fix places in the Mall and work your butt
off on simple repairs. You will be surprised at what you don’t know
in a situation like that. After some time doing that you will be
ready to go to work at a fine jewelry store.

just how is someone like me who works hard, and just out of school
supposed to get experience if no one will hire me? Does anyone know
why this happens? 

I know that SCAD has tools that rival any fine jewelry workshop in
the nation. I was at the SNAG convention in Savannah and I was in
awe at the jewelry studios and the number of cutting edge tools
there. I really would think that if you have a MUCH greater advantage
than most especially since you have had access to the best jewelry
equipment I have ever seen in a school setting. You have to be able
to convey that to a prospective employer.

Susan
www.ThorntonStudioJewelry.com

Kathleen,

- How, just how is someone like me who works hard, and just out of
school supposed to get experience if no one will hire me? Does
anyone know why this happens? 

Don’t give up. Working for a jeweler for a few years after getting
your BFA is the best preperation for starting out on your own. My
first attempt to find a position after I graduated in the early
1980’s seemed hopeless, too. It turned out that Madison, WI, with its
large U of WI Metals Department was just not the right place to be
looking.

A year later I found myself in Jerusalem, Israel, which has a
thriving jewelry industry. It took some pounding the pavement and
initial rejections, but I eventually got a job working for a
silversmith there. Later, back in the US, I found another position
in Philadelphia. Sometimes you have to cast a wide net, and
definitely work your connections (can your professors at SCAD suggest
any job opportunities?). Just because one or two or five people don’t
want to hire you, does not mean that no one will.

Good luck!
Amy

Amy Roper Lyons

Who began this thread? We have the job this person is looking for.
See jeweleress.com and please contact me.

Thank you.
J. Rose