O’More College of Design has learned that more than 90% of its 2012-2013 graduates are now working in their industries of choice. The four-year, non-profit college based in downtown Franklin now offers bachelor of fine art degrees in fashion design, fashion merchandising, graphic design, interactive design, and interior design.
“One source of pride for the College has always been the outstanding placement rates,” stated the College’s interim president Rebecca Stilwell. “Our focus is on preparing designers to compete for and win coveted jobs in their respective fields. We are thrilled that our graduating seniors are now living their dreams as professional designers.”
More than ¼ of the College’s student body and alumni enrolled as “non-traditional” students, or those over the age of 25. Stilwell notes that a majority of them are there to earn second degrees, reflecting a trend in higher education toward more career-focused curricula.
“It’s never too late to pursue your passion, and our alumni are indicative of that,” Stilwell said. “A psychology degree from even the most prestigious university doesn’t necessarily equate to employability.”
A 2010 O’More graduate, Betsy Sanchez spent 16-years as a radiation therapist in Nashville and returned to school in 2006 to receive an interior design degree.
Today, Sanchez is back in the healthcare world as the medical equipment manager for Hospital Corporation of America’s (HCA) design and construction division. Though she didn’t expect it, she states she’s found a career that merged her two diverse backgrounds.
“This was a marriage made in heaven, the perfect job for me. I’ve been able to combine my design education with my clinical background,” noted Sanchez. “I’m glad 100 times over that I chose O’More.”
2012 O’More graduate and current School of Fashion instructor and product developer for the non-profit WeAreDAR, Annette Medcalf, was a senior designer at Champion, helping the clothing company create the United States’ 1996 Olympic Game uniforms before enrolling at the College to earn her four-year bachelor of fine arts degree in fashion design.
She says she came back to secure a teaching position, and to help fledgling designers find their own paths in the industry.
“One thing I have done throughout my career is mentor students. I’ve always had something in me that wanted to teach,” stated Medcalf. “I love working with the students, seeing their passion and their excitement and their motivation.”
When Kristin Marie Centers enrolled at O’More in 1998, she was considered a non-traditional student. Centers had left her job as a junior account executive at a large Nashville advertising agency, and wanted to secure design fundamentals to maximize her career growth. She now serves as the program coordinator for the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health (VIGH)
“One of the most rewarding things in my job is that I’m able to use my training and contribute to problem-solving efforts,” Centers stated. “The people I work with are scientists, and at the core it’s about defending and backing up your argument. It’s similar to defending my design choices. That critical thinking I learned has served me well.”
Are you ready to start a new journey? Find out more at www.omorecollege.edu.
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