CABCoFA Student Council Equips Students for Professional Success
By Chad Eric Smith, Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing, Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts
Talent may open doors, but preparation, professionalism, and meaningful relationships help build lasting careers.
That was the message at the heart of Pre-Professional Development Week, a three-day initiative organized by the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts (CABCoFA) Student Council at Howard University from October 21–23, 2026.
Designed to help students navigate the transition from academic life to their respective creative industries, the student-led initiative brought together College leadership, faculty, and students for professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and practical career preparation activities.
From building stronger resumes and portfolios to preparing for auditions, interviews, and professional headshots, the week's programming emphasized an important reality: Developing a successful career in the arts requires more than artistic talent. It also demands preparation, adaptability, and a commitment to professional growth.
Bridging the Gap Between Artistry and Professionalism
The week kicked off on Wednesday, October 21, with "The CABCoFA Fair: Welcoming of a New Era," a program centered on integrating artistry with professionalism and connecting students with the people, organizations, and resources that can support their development.
Held at Howard University's Blackburn University Center, the opening program featured perspectives from Department of Theatre Arts Chair and Professor Omiyẹmi Green; Director of Student Success Tammy McCants; Adjunct Lecturer and Arts, Health, and Well-being Initiative Coordinator James Ballard; music therapist Lora Robinson; and CABCoFA Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing Chad Eric Smith.
The speakers brought perspectives from their respective disciplines and professional experiences, reinforcing the importance of approaching career development as an ongoing process that begins well before graduation.
During his remarks, Smith encouraged students to recognize the importance of developing their professional identities and intentionally documenting their accomplishments.
"Don't wait until graduation to start telling your professional story," he advised.
The message underscored the value of building a professional presence early, cultivating meaningful connections, and learning how to communicate the unique skills and experiences students acquire throughout their academic journeys.
The opening day's activities also included opportunities for networking, resource sharing, and engagement with student organizations through the CABCoFA Fair.
Creating Opportunities to Get in the Room
On Thursday, October 22, the focus shifted from building professional relationships to developing the materials necessary to pursue professional opportunities.
Under the theme "How to Get in the Room: Resume and Portfolio Workshop," students participated in presentations and breakout sessions designed to strengthen how they present their qualifications, artistic accomplishments, and creative experiences.
For aspiring actors, filmmakers, musicians, designers, and other creative professionals, developing an effective resume or portfolio can present unique challenges. Unlike traditional professional pathways, careers in the arts often require individuals to communicate the value of creative projects, performances, productions, and other artistic endeavors alongside their academic and professional experiences.
For Victorina Tchivandja, a sophomore Film & TV major, the workshop offered practical guidance and greater confidence in approaching that process.
"It was really fun and insightful! No one really shows how to make a resume, especially when you’re in the entertainment industry," Tchivandja shared. "After going to this workshop, I feel more confident in how to add my artistic endeavors and projects to my resume."
Her experience illustrates the value of creating spaces where students can ask questions, receive practical guidance, and develop the professional tools necessary to pursue opportunities in their respective fields.
Preparing to Make a Lasting Impression
The week concluded on Friday, October 23, with "The Face Behind It All: Interview, Audition & Headshot Preparation."
Building on the previous day's focus on professional materials, the final program emphasized the importance of presenting oneself with confidence and authenticity in professional settings.
Through interview and audition preparation activities, along with opportunities to obtain updated professional headshots, students gained additional resources to support their career development.
Whether preparing for a casting call, pursuing an internship, interviewing for a position, or meeting a potential collaborator, the ability to communicate one's strengths and demonstrate professionalism can be just as consequential as the quality of one's artistic work.
Together, the three days of programming encouraged students to think critically about how they present themselves, the relationships they cultivate, and the steps they can take now to strengthen their professional futures.
Student Leadership with a Long-Term Vision
Behind the week's programming was a larger vision of preparing students not simply to pursue opportunities but to position themselves for sustainable careers.
For Shyenn Garris, a junior Musical Theater student and the Student Council's Pre-Professional Development Director, that distinction was central to the initiative.
"Pre-Professional Development Week was designed to help support students on their professional journey," Garris explained.
She emphasized that connecting students with professional networks, helping them create well-structured resumes, and providing opportunities to update their professional headshots were all part of preparing them for success beyond Howard.
Integrating professionalism into the arts will help these future singers, dancers, fashion designers, and Broadway stars build sustainable careers.
Garris also emphasized the importance of balancing creative expression with reliability, self-management, and professional standards, recognizing that long-term success requires the ability to sustain opportunities once they arise.
Perhaps her most compelling takeaway from the week was the distinction between securing an opportunity and knowing how to make the most of it.
"One thing I took from this week is that it’s not just about getting in the room, but having the skills and knowledge of how to stay in that room of opportunity," Garris reflected. "You don’t want to walk into a space that can elevate you and then come out empty-handed."
That perspective speaks to the broader significance of Pre-Professional Development Week and the intentionality behind the Student Council's efforts.
Rather than waiting for professional development opportunities to come to them, student leaders identified areas of need among their peers and created programming designed to address them.
In doing so, they demonstrated the very qualities the initiative sought to cultivate: leadership, collaboration, initiative, and an understanding of how to turn ideas into meaningful action.
Building Careers That Last
At the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, preparing the next generation of artists, scholars, educators, and creative industry leaders means providing opportunities for students to develop both their artistic abilities and the professional competencies necessary to sustain their careers.
Initiatives like Pre-Professional Development Week complement that mission by giving students space to explore what professional success requires while connecting classroom learning to the realities of their chosen industries.
Just as importantly, the initiative demonstrated what becomes possible when students take an active role in shaping the educational experiences of their peers.
Through their leadership, the CABCoFA Student Council reinforced an important lesson: The journey from aspiring artist to working professional begins long before graduation.
And as Garris reminded her peers, the goal isn't simply to get into the room. It's to be prepared to contribute, make an impression, and build a career that lasts.
