Adrian College art and design students travel to Chicago for professional development
Posted Monday, November 24, 2025
Twenty Adrian College students participated in an annual Chicago Career-Building Excursion through the institution’s Art and Design Club and the Professional Organization for Design from Nov. 20–22.
Travis Erxleben, chair of the Adrian College Department of Art and Design and director of the college’s Institute for Innovation and Creativity, said the trip is a longstanding professional development experience connecting students with creative industries, cultural institutions and alumni working in the field.
During the three-day trip, students visited world-renowned museums, historical landmarks and culturally significant sites while meeting with leaders from creativity-based businesses across the city.
Industry professionals shared insights about career pathways, emerging trends and employment opportunities in art, graphic design, interior design, architecture and other related fields.
The experience also included an alumni dinner, where current students connected with Adrian College graduates and learned about their professional journeys after college.
“This experience gave our students a real-world understanding of what their futures can look like,” Erxleben said. “Chicago served as an incredible classroom. Our students returned more confident, more focused and better prepared to step into meaningful creative-based careers.”
Owen Callahan, president of Adrian College’s Art and Design Club and a sophomore double majoring in studio art and English, said meeting with professionals and alumni helped students better envision building successful careers in a city like Chicago.
“This experience offers an incredible opportunity for students to explore not only future careers but also gives them the chance to learn about their respective fields,” Callahan said.
“Beyond the professional experiences, the excursion gave students valuable independence and real-world problem-solving skills,” Erxleben said. “Navigating public transportation, managing schedules in a major city and engaging confidently in professional settings helped students build self-assurance, adaptability and a stronger sense of personal and professional responsibility.”
Erxleben said the excursion has become a signature experience for participating students, helping many secure internships, professional connections and, in some cases, full-time employment, reflecting Adrian College’s commitment to experiential learning and preparing students for successful, sustainable careers in the creative industries.
