School of Liberal Arts launches FAST 15 career exploration initiative

School of Liberal Arts launches FAST 15 career exploration initiative

What can 15 hours do for your future? For college students trying to figure out a career path, the answer could lie in a new program being launched by Tulane University's School of Liberal Arts (SLA).

Called FAST 15, the program is a career jump-start that combines student learning, faculty leadership and professional networking to explore careers of the future - including jobs that may not even exist now. It is geared toward exploration and exposure, which can help shape meaningful career decisions.

The program packages 1-credit courses into a focused 15-hour weekend experience March 13-15. Students can choose one of two classes - "Making the Star," which explores the creative and business dynamics behind celebrity and media success, and "Inside the Beltway," which offers students insight into professional pathways in and around Washington, D.C.

"Making the Star" is open to Tulane students as well as students from other schools. Participation is limited for both programs, and students must apply for admission to ensure strong engagement and commitment. The courses are supported by a gift from alumni Robert, Susan and Michael Goldstein.

"It's part boot camp, part career networking," said Vicki Mayer, a professor of communication and a senior advisor to SLA Dean Brian Edwards. "The best learning comes when you're engaged, and I think this will be a huge learning experience for what students perceive and what is the reality. We want students to be open and ready for the jobs of the future."

In "Making the Star," students will be assigned a fictional singer-songwriter and work in small teams to develop a roadmap for building that artist's career - from contracts and licensing to streaming, touring, sales and merchandising. The immersive experience emphasizes collaboration, active participation and direct engagement with industry professionals. It will be taught by Tulane alumnus and film producer Robert Fyvolent, who won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature for "Summer of Soul."

In "Inside the Beltway," students will get an insider's view of professional pathways in and around Washington, D.C. While traditional roles in government and public service remain, students will also explore careers in advocacy, media, nonprofits, lobbying and consulting - fields that are rapidly evolving alongside advancements in artificial intelligence and automation. It will be taught by Philip de Mahy, a Tulane professor of practice in American Politics, and Tulane senior Lily Koziol, a political science major with extensive internship experience on Capitol Hill.

Mayer said the rapidly evolving job picture, along with alumni feedback, encouraged her to launch FAST 15.

"Our alumni consistently tell us that their liberal arts education is fundamental to the work they do, and they've been eager to give back in ways that are meaningful and fun for students."