Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/863793
8 2 0 1 7 E D U C AT I O N & R E C R U I T M E N T S P E C I A L The age-old adage, "the ability to work and play well with others," is truly a standard expectation in this industry, Bandstra emphasizes. "During job interviews, they're not only looking for someone with skills in a specific area, but a personality that fits with the company," he says. "You are spending time together, 40 hours a week and more during crunch times. The job is more enjoyable when you are sur- rounded by people you enjoy." Of course, a good portfolio is always important, and demonstrating your skills as an artist is expected. But per- sonality again plays a key role in the hiring process. "Many companies can help fine-tune an artist if they have a willing- ness to learn and a growth-focused attitude," says Bandstra. "A person whose personality fits with the company, brings skills as an artist, and is always looking to get better has a greater chance of getting the job over the amazing artist who has a super ego and a negative outlook on life. Who would you rather work with?" To help Full Sail students develop their social skills outside of academics, the school's educators created the Global Professionalism Standard (GPS), a system that encourages professional behavior. GPS stresses things like communication, keeping your ego in check, and pitching in to help out others. "All of these areas are a huge part of what it takes to be successful," Bandstra says. "The program tracks these attributes with a point system that can be add- ed to and subtracted from based on a student's approach to his or her education, behavior in class, and participation in the Full Sail community." These are the stepping-stones of life, and Full Sail Uni- versity presses upon these ideas early on in its classes. For instance, the school has an around-the-clock schedule with 40-hour contact hours a week in the classroom, and then SCAD's Christos Perry (top of page) and Adriana Garcia (above).