Nearly 20 students in Middle Tennessee State University’s AMC SIGGRAPH organization attended a nearly weeklong conference in Denver, Colorado, where they had the opportunity to network, volunteer and participate in special sessions with companies like Pixar and Disney.
Elizabeth Baxter of South Pittsburg was among those who attended this year’s conference. Kevin McNulty, an associate animation professor in the College of Media and Entertainment’s Department of Media Arts, serves as the faculty advisor for MTSU’s SIGGRAPH student organization.
McNulty said one of the unique things about these conferences is students have the opportunity to apply as volunteers.
“If they’re accepted, they get a complimentary conference pass that gives them access to everything at the conference. They learn how to help run the conference – they’re at the doors checking badges, they’re helping at booths, they’re helping as exhibitors show their latest stuff. They also have the chance to sign up for a resume and demo reel review by professionals, too,” McNulty said.
MTSU student Kat Shattuck was one of around 300 student volunteers at the conference. It was her third time working as a student volunteer and her first as a team lead.
“I truly believe I wouldn’t have found out what career path within animation I wanted to pursue if I didn’t go to the conference,” Shattuck, who graduates in December, said. “Being able to attend SIGGRAPH has widened my perspective on how many roles are within the animation industry.”
Read more on this story at https://mtsunews.com/animation-students-attend-siggraph-conference/.
