The MA in Sound Arts and Industries program is dedicated to helping you transform the skills you acquire into practical tools for advancing your career through partnership with the The Office of External Programs, Internships, and Career Services (EPICS).
Housed within the School of Communication, EPICS empowers students to develop their career strategy and maximize the various connections and communities of Northwestern and beyond. EPICS is here to support you throughout your time as a student, offering events, resources, and services to help you explore careers in sound and advance your professional development:
Career Coaching
Sound Arts and Industries students have access to 1:1 career coaching through EPICS. Coaching appointment topics include resume development, cover letter reviews, internship and job search strategy, interviewing, networking, or any other topic related to career development.
Alumni/Industry Speaker Events
Speaker events are an opportunity to hear directly from an experienced and accomplished alum and/or industry professional and often include a Q&A. They provide an opportunity for students to hear from industry leaders who share about their insight and experience and offer valuable advice.
Masterclasses
Every masterclass has an aim or goal that students will learn or complete by the end of the session. Throughout the year we welcome industry professionals to lead a masterclass on sound-related topics. In the past we’ve had masterclasses on sonic branding, circuit-bending and music production, and voiceover.
Career Development Workshops
Career development workshops are offered quarterly and focus on both general and industry-specific career skills including resume and cover letters, professional writing, networking in person and online, building a professional website, documenting sound projects, developing your personal value proposition, internship and job search strategy development, and interviewing.
Industry Connect
The Northwestern community stretches far and wide. With EPICS’ Industry Connect evenings, students can see the direction their Northwestern degree can take them. Experienced alumni and professionals discuss their industry, career path, and offer advice to students in a speed networking format. Each Industry Connect event is focused on a specific industry area that aligns with EPICS’ Career Communities.
Life After NU
This panel series is for students to learn from young alumni about the transition from school to industry. The goal is for our current students to hear from young professionals about their immediate steps after Northwestern and recent steps in their career. Each Life After NU event is focused on a specific industry area that aligns with EPICS’ Career Communities.
Program-Specific Events
EPICS partners with our graduate level programs in MA in Sound Arts and Industries, MFA in Documentary Media, MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage, MS in Communication, and MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises to host events specifically for graduate students.
Additional Career Support & Resources:
Handshake
EPICS is part of Handshake, Northwestern’s central hub for accessing career services. The platform enables students to discover job and internship openings, schedule career coaching appointments with an EPICS staff member, stay up to date about career events, view upcoming campus employer visits, and much more. Handshake is the essential tool for staying connected to opportunities, providing information on a variety of career-related events, workshops, and opportunities to support your career planning and search efforts.
PlanIt Purple
You will find upcoming EPICS events for School of Communication in the calendar feed. Employers and friends of Northwestern can view all events open to the public on the University’s main calendar, PlanIt Purple.
Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA)
Another resource is Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA). The mission of Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) is to foster excellence in career development, preparation, and professional opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and alumni by providing comprehensive services and programming and by promoting strong partnerships with employers, academic departments, and the university community. Learn more about NCA.
Contact Us
For any questions regarding career development, please reach out! Email: sound@northwestern.edu.
If you are a company or organization interested in working with the MA in Sound Arts and industries students, faculty, or staff, please connect with us.