Issue 8
Student Brings Practical Experience to the Classroom
As an employee at the Colorado Department of Transportation, Denver North Campus interior design student Rick Butler was the executive project and design planner for an employee memorial. While the project work and dedication took place before Butler enrolled at Westwood, he believes the knowledge gained through the memorial project translates to his experiences as a Westwood student.
"Students come to Westwood not only to learn, but to share experiences with other students," says Butler. "Iron sharpens iron, so surround yourself with people who challenge you to be the best."
In addition to the memorial, Butler was the sole architectural designer for a $107 million fitness center. Despite his many successes, he says, "With what I am learning at Westwood, I am much more confident and knowledgeable when I design and plan a project."
So confident, in fact, that Butler entered and faced-off with some of the most talented and unusual designers when he made it to the second round of HGTV's Design Star competition, giving him yet another experience to add to his already-thriving design career.
Slated for graduation in July 2011, Butler cites Kathy Newton as a particularly inspirational instructor who helps challenge him to think outside of the box and pushes his skills to the next level.
Ear to the Ground
Westwood Grads Meet Real World at Hybrid Apparel
Anthony Cruz has been with Cypress, Calif.-based Hybrid Apparel since its beginning nearly 12 years ago. Today, Hybrid is a booming business with approximately 250 employees, and as the current art department director for the company, Cruz oversees 42 artists who design men's, junior's and branded apparel for companies such as Disney, Reebok and Yamaha. With big names like these relying on quality products, when it comes to hiring artists, Anthony looks for the best of the best.
"At Hybrid, we truly believe in moving people from the bottom up," says Cruz. "There is a real career opportunity here for someone with a great attitude and work ethic."
Over time, Cruz has added 11 Westwood graduates to his team, five of whom have progressed from entry level CAD artists to artist positions. Two of them are being groomed to become creative directors. He stresses that in order to succeed, design students need to "own their design skills" and be dedicated to the job. "It's all up to the employee to drive their career forward," says Cruz.
In an effort to inspire future generations of artists, Hybrid Apparel created Black Book Sessions, a nonprofit organization committed to supporting and acknowledging young urban artists to reach their highest potential. Young people in the age categories of 9 to 13, 14 to 17 and 18 to 25 are invited to submit artwork of any medium into art contests organized by Black Book Sessions in southern California. First place winners in each category, when they are of age to attend college, become eligible to receive a full scholarship from Hybrid Apparel to earn their associate degree in Computer Aided Design/Architectural Drafting from Westwood College.
Not all first place winners are guaranteed a scholarship, but Hybrid Apparel and Black Book Sessions are committed to carefully evaluating each first place winner for qualifications, such as academic achievement and community involvement. The first scholarships were awarded in 2009 to Stephanie Roldam and Vanessa Perry. Perry currently attends the Westwood Anaheim Campus and is studying Visual Communications.
Final advice from Cruz to aspiring graphic artists and perspective new hires at Hybrid apparel? "Keep honing your skills and be real with your talents and skills. Always aspire to be better and do more."
Job Tip
Make a list of job interview questions that most employers ask, such as "What is your management style" or "What is your greatest strength?" Then, write down your answers and practice speaking them aloud. Think of actual examples you can use to best describe your skills and what unique attributes you can bring to the job.
Graduate Profile
Jeff Saulters, 2004 Computer Network Engineering Graduate
As an IP network engineer at Level 3 Communications in Broomfield, Colo., Jeff Saulters spends his days connecting remote sales offices and co-location sites into Level 3's network and providing technical assistance to the company's operations teams.
"I was considering Westwood College, and when they officially announced their partnership with Cisco, I was sold," says Saulters. "I saw that Westwood's curriculum directly addressed the knowledge and skills that employers were seeking."
Referring to the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) designation programs, Saulters says the hands-on experience gained through the Cisco program was invaluable. "You simply can't beat the knowledge that you gain when an industry leader, such as Cisco, walks you through the way to do things."
When Saulters described an end-of-term project to a pair of senior colleagues, their jaws hit the floor. He says, "They were very impressed with the challenges Westwood was pitting me against."
While that moment proved that his hard work would eventually pay off, Saulters stresses, "What you get out of it is equal to what you put into it.
Campus Briefs
Design Students Inspired by Tour of Disney Animation Studios
Sixteen outstanding School of Design students from Westwood California campuses were selected to attend the Annual Disney Inspire Days held last month at the Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank. The day began with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Disney Animation Studio and continued with student portfolio/real/résumé critiques by Disney animators and artists.
Chicago Loop Students Give Back to Community in a Constructive Way
Westwood students Jose Lopez and Akeem Khan, members of the Construction Management Group, rolled up their sleeves and assisted Bovis Lend Lease and Rebuilding Together to renovate a local family home. Rebuilding Together is part of a national nonprofit program that provides free home repair for elderly, disabled or low income individuals. Both Lopez and Khan used their construction skills and gained invaluable hands-on experience.
Westwood Offers Matching Scholarships
Now there's another way to help pay for your education at Westwood. The Westwood College Matching Scholarship Program was developed to encourage you to take control of financing your education by seeking out and earning third party scholarships. The Matching Scholarship Program is effective for third party scholarships awarded on or after June 1, 2010. If you're a continuously enrolled, full-time student at Westwood, visit this page for the guidelines.
On the Net
Gaming Legends Provide Inspiring and Insightful Advice
Visit Westwood's YouTube channel for some insightful and inspiring videos from gaming legends David Perry and Bill Fisher, captured at the recent Gathering of Video Game Legends event. Westwood's YouTube channel can be found by clicking here, where you can also subscribe to the channel, so you'll automatically be alerted each time a new Westwood video is uploaded.
Westwood College Online
IGDA Game Club Gets Revamped
The Westwood Online Game Development Club was formed by and for students two years ago to help provide a creative outlet for online gaming students and those interested in gaming. Thanks to a new chapter in the long-standing relationship with provider Springs Hosting, based in Colorado Springs, Colo., the program now brings new services to Westwood Online students, including improved features and monthly software updates.
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