Portfolio Center has an excellent placement rate, the kind you can’t achieve by tacking notices on the bulletin board about how so-and-so firm will be interviewing on such-and-such-a date. Our success is the result the school’s excellent reputation, coupled with years of methodical, strategic networking and relationship building. We know the people who matter, and they surely know us—not just OF us—and hold our students in highest regard.

In large part, you current students, grad-elects, and recent grads have your alumni to thank for this. They’re out there busting their humps to maintain and build on that reputation, without which all the development strategy in the world would be fruitless.

Because of your predecessors, when I call up a CD or a principal about a job candidate, he or she will be quick to open the door for you. You get the personal look-see, even as the other mini-books are stacking up on the desk.

Just this past weekend, four PC students flew to Chicago to meet face-to-face with Greg Samata of Samata Mason. We have a long history with Greg, who has sponsored projects here, conducted seminars, and hired our grads in the past. Greg called and asked to see four prospects from our new group of grads. We sent four we felt matched with Samata Mason’s work and culture—great designers, solid citizens, with a bit of an edge.

Once the interviews were finished, he called a stretch limo to take them back to the airport, gave ‘em each a beer, and sent them home to wait for the news.

That’s what I call ‘development.’

Trackback.