The video captures a group of graduating students from the AICASF Portfolio Show 2013 sharing concise reflections on their education and future aspirations. Each speaker highlights a core takeaway from the program—leadership, confidence, adaptability, collaboration, discipline, and teamwork—describing how classroom experiences and project work prepared them for professional life. They name specific faculty members who left lasting impressions, citing personal mentorship styles such as "tough love" and supportive guidance. The students also outline their post‑graduation expectations, ranging from entry‑level fashion roles, bakery and graphic‑design positions, continued work at a design studio, to ambitions in Hollywood and game art. The overall tone is conversational and optimistic, emphasizing personal growth, industry exposure, and readiness to enter the workforce.
Chapters
One of the biggest takeaways from my education is being a leader in the classroom and learning these leadership skills, working with team members and other classmates.
Really, I think it's just being— having that confidence. I had zero confidence in my abilities and skills, and now I'm ready to have a real job.
Learning how to adapt to different situations as far as different projects and the requirements of the projects and the needs of the client.
Collaborating with my peers and getting exposure to the design world, which I probably would have never been exposed to had I not gone through this program.
Most likely discipline. You know, it really helped me just stay on track.
Learning to work in a team. It seemed to be something that was really important, especially going into this industry, working in game art and design.
The Safford faculty that left the greatest impression on me is Mung Lar. She's been amazing. She's really personable, easy to talk to.
Chef Musée, Chef Colanti, and Chef Feinberg. They've all equally been really encouraging. Socorro Soberano.
She's very, like, tough love. She's always making you, like, pushing you that extra mile to make it that much better.
Sarah Jaffe. In a moment of great despair, she told me to get it together, and I snapped into it, and I got it together. Bonnie O'Neill. She's a mother hen.
You know, she'll get you on track, and she's just kind.
Maya Jaffra. The way he taught really resonated with me, and it was all about making an impact but making it special.
What I expect after graduation is to get an entry-level job in a startup or corporation in the fashion industry.
Hopefully a job in a bakery would be great. Work at a print shop in Pacheco called East Bay Prints. I'm their graphic designer.
I expect to continue working where I work, Michael Merrill Design Studio.
Work hard for the job and just Get the foot in the door.
I am going to Hollywood and I am going to make a lot of money.
