Showcasing Talent and Building Connections with recruitID

The Institute of Design’s recruitID 2024 brought together ID students and industry leaders, creating a dynamic platform for networking and career growth. Over several days, participating organizations such as Chase, GEICO, IA Collaborative, MJV Innovation, Teague, Verizon, and Walmart engaged in interviews and presentations with ID students.

Organizations participating in recruitID typically seek professionals with titles like Design Strategist, Design Researcher, and UX Designer. These positions are often focused on design- and business-led innovation driven by insights that prioritize context and user needs.

recruitID allowed students to meet industry professionals face-to-face and showcase their skills and portfolios.

Gabriela Confolonieri from MJV Innovation was struck by the diversity and ambition of ID students, noting, “I appreciated the cultural diversity among the candidates, many of whom came from different countries. They were very eager to learn about MJV and advance in their careers.”

She highlighted the importance of structured presentations, recommending that students “incorporate a visual presentation of their work to enhance our understanding of their structure and approach.”

ID student Yanshu Zhou (MDes 20XX) shared her recruitID experience, noting the multiple avenues for interaction that the event provided: “I uploaded my resume and portfolio and was fortunate to be selected for an interview with Chase. I also attended a special session with Gail Rankin from Verizon and participated in the networking event at Grainger.” Yanshu highlighted the benefit of gaining insight into Chase’s design processes, calling it a “valuable experience.” Zhou suggested future events could benefit from more general sessions with participating companies, similar to the session with Verizon, which would allow all students to engage.

recruitID 2024 culminated in a networking event hosted by Grainger on the 18th floor of the Merchandise Mart. Thanks to Brian Walker, SVP & Chief Product Officer at Grainger, and Reena Patel, the event provided students, faculty, and industry partners with a relaxed environment to connect. Attendees enjoyed refreshments and connected with alumni, building relationships that could influence their career paths.

recruitID 2024 exemplifies the Institute of Design’s commitment to connecting students with industry opportunities. With feedback from students and participating organizations alike, future recruitID events will continue to evolve, supporting students in honing their presentation skills, broadening their industry knowledge, and enhancing their career readiness.

Do you want to connect with top-notch design talent and partner with the Institute of Design? Learn more about recruitID and hiring highly skilled and innovative ID students and alumni.

Or contact Peter Zapf, Director of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives at zapf@id.iit.edu.