Many RISD students have an entrepreneurial mindset, and that focus has been part of the culture here long before the idea gained such recent and widespread popularity.  Although the majority of our graduates find the path of working for someone else – individual or company, large or small – just fine for them, many others do not want to be told what to do and when, or to share their ideas and creativity for the benefit of someone else’s business.  The power of independence and individuality is certainly part of the personality for many creative people.

Our Career Center has really amped up their efforts in the last two years to formally support students who want to develop their own business, pre or post graduation.  Recently, they sponsored a conference to wrap together an energetic introduction on how to chart an independent career path.  Check out the recap of the Mindshare event and, while you’re there, hit the links to the RISD pages at Etsy and Kickstarter.

Ed Newhall, Director of Admissions

Questions, thoughts?  Contact me at enewhall@risd.edu