Success in the creative industries is rarely a straight line. It is shaped by resilience, uncertainty, experimentation and, often, by the people who help us navigate these experiences. Over the past few months, we have had the privilege of exploring these themes through a two-part panel series as part of the Student Success Project, supported by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
The project aims to highlight the voices of professionals from underrepresented backgrounds working across the creative, media and arts industries, while creating spaces where students can see their own futures reflected back at them through honest conversations about work, identity, creativity and belonging.
Breaking into the Creative Industry: CVs, Portfolios & More
Our first event welcomed Sammi Huang, Elvin Musiriza, and Maha Hussein, who shared their experiences across marketing, digital media, and content creation. The session was split into three parts: a CV and portfolio workshop, a panel discussion, and a student Q&A.
Drawing on their own career journeys, the speakers used their CVs and portfolios as live examples, demonstrating how they present experience, showcase creative work, and tailor applications for different roles. Students gained practical insights into what employers look for, how to communicate their strengths effectively, and how to stand out in a competitive job market.
The panel discussion explored key challenges facing early-career professionals, including imposter syndrome, adapting to AI-driven changes in the industry, building confidence, and finding ways to differentiate themselves. Rather than promoting a single route to success, the speakers emphasised the value of adaptability, curiosity, and continuous learning. They highlighted that while technical skills remain important, employers increasingly value collaboration, initiative, and a proactive approach to innovation.
A recurring theme throughout the event was the importance of mentorship, representation, and community. The speakers reflected on the people who had supported them throughout their careers and encouraged students to seek out networks that can provide guidance, opportunities, and encouragement.
Navigating the Creative Industries: Care and Personal Politics in Creative Practice
The second event explored what it means to build creative practices rooted in care, justice, and personal values. Speakers Ayanna Blair-Ford (artistic director and set designer), Sonia Barrett (contemporary visual artist), and Prishita Eloise (author, editor, campaigner, and facilitator) offered distinct perspectives on staying grounded and intentional within creative industries often shaped by institutional pressures.
Across the talk and Q&A, they reflected on creativity as an evolving process rather than a fixed identity, emphasising how artistic practice can transform the creator as much as it communicates ideas to an audience. They also considered authorship, noting that once work is shared, it moves beyond the creator’s control and becomes open to interpretation, dialogue, and critique.
The speakers spoke candidly about projects that did not unfold as expected, highlighting how moments of disruption or “failure” often became some of the most formative experiences in their development. The discussion left us thinking about the importance of making deliberate choices about the opportunities we accept, including declining work that conflicts with our values, and how this can shape a more intentional and sustainable creative practice.
Students were also invited to participate in a guided reflection exercise, individually and in groups, exploring their own values, interests, and the barriers that can prevent alignment between belief and practice. The session encouraged practical thinking about next steps —whether through initiating a project, starting a conversation, forming a reading group, or building a collective initiative.
Closing Reflections
It was inspiring to see students actively engaged throughout both events, taking notes, contributing to discussions, and building connections with both the guest speakers and their peers.
We are incredibly grateful to our inspiring speakers, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and everyone who attended and contributed to these meaningful conversations. We hope the Student Success Project continues to create space for students to challenge assumptions, build inclusive communities, and recognise the strength and value of their own unique voices.
Assem Mukhit (MSc student, Department of Information Studies)
Disha Panesar (2nd year student, School of European Languages, Culture and Society)
Joshua Woolford (PhD student, Slade School of Fine Art)
Wenjie Zhao (1st year student, Arts and Sciences (BASc))