Arts & Culture
Finding direction through creativity: The Arts Division’s Find Your Path! creates career pathways for students
Arts Division students are invited to presentations and networking sessions that will guide them on how to pursue a successful career.
Sarah Sanford, teaching professor of print media and drawing in the Art Department, is the keynote speaker for Find Your Path! 2026 career event. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Sanford)
Each year, the Arts Division’s two-day Find Your Path! event offers students an invaluable opportunity to explore the many ways an education in the arts can translate into a meaningful and sustainable career. Designed specifically for UC Santa Cruz Arts Division students, the program brings together alumni, industry professionals, faculty, and career advisors to demystify the transition from classroom to career and to empower students with the tools, insights, and connections they need to move forward with confidence.
On April 16–17, 2026, both online and in person at the Digital Arts Research Center (DARC), Room 108, Arts Division students are invited to presentations and networking sessions that will guide them on how to pursue a successful career. Complimentary headshots by a professional photographer also will be available for students who sign up in advance.
“Preparing for the transition to life after graduation is critical, and the opportunities provided by Find Your Path! help students build meaningful relationships with potential future employers,” said Arts Division Interim Dean and Professor of Film and Digital Media Lawrence Andrews. “Students can talk directly with professionals in their fields of interest, asking key questions and acquiring valuable personal insights. These kinds of candid perspectives are rarely available in the classroom and can help to build connections that often lead to internships, mentorship, and job opportunities.”
Over the course of two days, students will engage in a dynamic mix of panel discussions, workshops, networking sessions, and one-on-one advising opportunities. Panels featuring alumni are often a highlight, as graduates share candid stories about their own journeys—detailing the twists, challenges, and unexpected opportunities that shaped their careers. These conversations help students understand that there is no single “right” path in the arts, but rather a wide range of possibilities that can evolve over time.
On the first day, the keynote speaker this year will be Sarah Sanford, assistant teaching professor, print media and drawing, and director of the Arts Bridge program, who will speak about building careers in arts education. After Sanford’s talk, the Arts Division’s Assistant Dean for Student Success/Chief of Staff Esthela Bañuelos will engage the keynote speaker in a discussion and Q&A for students to learn more about careers in the Arts. Other presentations led by the Office of Career Success will cover developing a resume, cover letter, portfolio and more.
During the second day, students will be able to engage with career experts in a series of four workshops that will be presented online, with students attending online and in person.
Film and television editor Matthew Prescott, cinematographer and filmmaker Pedro Delbrey, and Warner Bros. Director of Production for Sound and Video Services Cuauhtemoc Martinez (all UCSC alumni) will discuss working in the entertainment industry, followed by a workshop focused on careers in museums and performance spaces with Eileen Garcia, properties director, Santa Fe Opera; UCSC alumna Abigail Lopez-Byrd, founder and executive director of Color Compton and co-founder of the Compton Art and History Museum; Marla Novo, deputy director, Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History; and Charlie Cohen, production manager, Kuumbwa Jazz Center.
Guests who’ll be talking about careers in games and design will be Renee Gittins, studio head at Stumbling Cat; Jedd Chevrier, art director, concept artist, and illustrator currently with Epic Games; Laura Lico, animation and creative director, co-creator of the Moss Franchise (Polyarc), founder of CorAnimus Rex & Animation Sherpa, and Ex-Bungie; and Helen Benavidez, storyboard artist and illustrator, and director of the animated short, Dog Brain.
The final workshop of the day will focus on art, organizing, and social impact and feature guest speakers Consuelo Alba, co-founder and executive director of the Watsonville Film Festival; Jay Katelansky, creative director of Digital Strategies and Store Manager for Favianna Rodriguez Studios; Eseel Borlasa, arts events producer, film programmer and publicist; and Alyssarhaye Graciano, visual arts curator at Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA).
Find Your Path! also underscores the value of adaptability in the arts. Many speakers highlight how their careers have spanned multiple disciplines or roles, reinforcing the idea that flexibility and curiosity are key assets. This message resonates strongly in today’s rapidly changing creative industries, where traditional career paths are continually being redefined.
As students leave the two-day experience, they carry with them more than just information—they leave with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. In a field where the future can often feel uncertain, Find Your Path! provides a compass, helping Arts Division students take their next steps with intention and excitement.
Find Your Path! is a free event, and students can register on the events page.
Day One: April 16, 2026, 12–2 p.m. | Refreshments provided
Day Two: April 17, 2026, 12–4:30 p.m. | Lunch provided
Digital Arts Research Center (DARC) 108, UC Santa Cruz