Preparing Our Students For The Global

Marketplace:
Reflections on the Mission Statement of the
Art Institutes and its Impact on the Audio,
Music, and Broadcasting Industries.

By Prof. Daniel A. Walzer

Department of Audio Production
Art Institute of TN-Nashville
Panel: How NOT To Get Hired
BEA Conference 2010
Las Vegas, NV

The Art Institute of TN-Nashville is a branch

campus of the Art Institute of Atlanta, and first
opened in October of 2006.

Broadcasting and Media-Related Courses at the

Art Institute of TN-Nashville

AU120: Remote and Field Recording

VID101: Introduction to Video

VID131: Intro to Video Editing

AU310: Broadcast Audio

AU350 Audio for Interactive Media

AU440: Streaming Media and Webcasting

AU460 Media Business and Law

Mission Review Task Force

As the "parent" campus for the Southeast cluster of the Art Institutes, a task force
was established in mid-2008 by the Art Institute of Atlanta to address the
changes in the academic and cultural/economic marketplace.
Representatives from each of the AiA branch campuses were asked to submit
potential revisions that would be formally discussed and voted on by the
Executive Committees and Board of Trustees.
The Mission Statement would then be formally adopted by each of the branch
campuses and their respective faculties.
The group involved in this process was called the Institutional Mission Review Task
Force Committee

Revised Mission Statement

The Art Institute of Atlanta is a private multi-campus college of
creative professional studies.
We prepare students for careers in design, media arts, culinary
arts, and management in creative fields by providing an
educational environment consistent with evolving
technologies and the global marketplace.
Our success is measured by our ability to:
provide a comprehensive curriculum that integrates conceptual,
analytical and technical skills;
offer education by qualified professionals; and
assist and prepare students for career entry, placement, and
growth in their respective fields.

Timeline and Branch Campuses

The New Mission Statement was approved by all Institutional Review

Task Force Members on November 18th, 2008.

The Mission Statement was then voted on and approved by all of the
campuses' Executive Committees on November 27th, 2008.

It was then voted upon and passed by the Board of Trustees on

December 4th, 2008.

The other branch campuses include AiA-Decatur, Ai-Charleston, AiWashington DC, and AiTN-Nashville along with Atlanta's two locations.

Most Common Faux Pas Before the Face-to-Face

Interview.
Not having the appropriate degrees but applying anyway.
Grammatical mistakes in the cover letter and resume.
Short durations of employment (less than two years) at multiple locations without sufficient explanation as
to why.
Sending only a resume, or a cover letter, but no application.
Not filling out the criminal history form that is required.
No availability within the following seven to ten days to come in and meet.
Not responding in a timely manner for additional information especially in regards to terminal degrees.
A negative and/or overly distracting online presence. (Blogs, Social Networking)
No portfolio (online or otherwise) to refer to.

Hiring Managers are Often Web Savvy.

Online profiles aren't "private" no matter how many

safeguards are in place.

More and more of our hiring managers are looking to the

web to find out about their potential applicants.

Ratemyprofessor.com

Twitter, Facebook and similar sites have potentially

destroyed future prospects for people again and again.

Misconception of "Art School"

While the Art Institutes as a whole embrace both technology and the
creative arts, the Ai brand isn't about "pure art".

The focus of the Art Institute is creating art and media (of all types) for
professional and practical applications in the workplace.

"It would be so cool to work at an art school..."

This misconception is often reflected in the cover letters, resumes and

attire of potential applicants.

While creativity is embraced, so is professionalism at all times.

Not showing up on time is unacceptable.

Importance of Professional Attire

Attire for the initial face-to-face interview should be at least two steps above what
you'll be wearing each and every day in your job.
The President, Dean, and Academic Lead Faculty often imagine that's the best
they'll ever see you dress.
Once hired, your attire can be integrated into the current business culture of your
institution.
Conveys confidence, professionalism and a willingness to present a good, solid
impression.
If the look of your resume is outstanding, shouldn't your attire be as well?
This is one of the most common mistakes...underestimating the importance of
professional attire, no matter what.

Minimum Requirements for Faculty Positions as

set forth by SACS

Master's Degree in related discipline.

At least 18 hours of graduate credits related to the courses to

be taught.

At least three to five years of professional experience.

Desired qualifications include at least two years of postsecondary teaching experience.

Portfolio of professional work if applicable.

Common Faux Pas in the Face-To-Face Interview...

Divulging overly personal information in the first few minutes.

Not coming to the interview with an additional resume and portfolio.

Being too up front about failures and/or insecurities as a teacher.

Admitting that you commonly fail over 50% of your class.

Openly admitting student feedback regarding your teaching style is negative.

Showing bitterness and arrogance.

Asking about salary, benefits, and time off within the first few minutes.

Not being prepared to demonstrate your teaching on the spot.

Additional Considerations...

Many applicants aren't prepared to answer why they left their last position. This
includes gaps in employment history as well.

Our hiring managers are consistently looking for the best teachers. The first
aspect of this includes a "teaching spirit and/or heart".

While professional experience is vital, our hiring managers will often look at who
is the most engaging and passionate about the subject matter, and how they will
engage the students in the classroom.

The teachers that are upbeat, positive and passionate will usually get hired over
the person who has more professional experience, but is dry and dull.

There is a fine line between being confident and being cocky, and our most
popular teachers understand the art of humility.

Have questions prepared for the interviewer!

Final Considerations
Our success as an institution is measured by student retention, graduation rates and job
placement.
All full time faculty of the Art Institutes are required to go through twenty-four hours of Faculty
Development each year. These issues are often addressed (12hrs for PT).
The faculty we hire are living representations of the Art Institute's Mission Statement in hiring
"qualified professionals" who embrace a wide variety of teaching and learning styles.
Professional Development doesn't end once you've gotten the teaching gig. Every day is an
opportunity to serve the people you work for...your students, supervisors and peers.
Asking for the job is one final selling point. Showing enthusiasm and passion for the potential
school goes a long way. That passion resonates when HR has to make a decision on who to
hire.
Not all schools are the same, but the key aspects of professionalism are, no matter where you
work.

Special Thanks
Dr. Carey Martin and the BEA Panel for the invitation to speak.
Art Institute of TN-Nashville staff including Robb Wenner, Kerry Puglisi,
Vicki White, Brenda Long, Allie Sultan, Dr. Greg Chapman, President
Carol Menck, and Tiffany Speights for their valuable contributions and
perspectives on AiTN hiring practices.
My wonderful students who are a pleasure to serve and work with day in
and day out.