How Student-Led Creativity Turns Into Real-World Business Experience

When you picture college work-study, you might think of filing paperwork or sitting behind a library desk. But at Montserrat College of Art, student employment looks completely different. Here, students design custom products, launch storefronts, pitch business proposals, and even craft a fun campus mascot suit.

Through Montserrat’s Creative Employment Initiative, students gain relevant, career-focused experience while earning a paycheck—long before graduation. We recently caught up with Juniper, a senior in the Games, Toys, and Play (GTP) concentration and Creative Lead for Handmade Montserrat, to talk about running an on-campus business, building confidence, and preparing for life after college.

Life as a Creative Lead

In the Games, Toys, and Play concentration, students create everything from physical toys and board games to interactive digital media. As Creative Lead for Handmade Montserrat, Juniper applies those multidisciplinary design skills to every corner of the business.

“It’s my job to be a jack-of-all-trades,” Juniper explains. “Of course, there’s the typical designing, prototyping, and product producing—but I also manage client relationships hands-on, research production costs, and even write up business proposals and contracts for our bigger projects. It’s a lot of work, but it’s fulfilling work.”

Handmade Montserrat handles a wide range of creative products, including custom laser-cut signage and plush toys. Currently, one of their most exciting projects is building a new mascot suit for the campus community. While it sounds like pure fun, the process demands real-world professional rigor: iterating initial concepts, hosting client feedback meetings, sourcing durable materials, managing budgets, and executing the physical build.

Real Skills for the Real World

For many students, balancing coursework with standard off-campus jobs can lead to burnout. Montserrat’s student employment program flips that script by providing flexible, industry-relevant roles directly on campus that respect a student’s academic schedule.

“Back when I had off-campus jobs, I was burning the candle at both ends without getting much back from the experience,” Juniper shares. “My hours were cut when classes took priority, or I lost assignment time to make up work hours. But here, the schedule flexes with my classes, and the experience applies directly to my career goals.”

Beyond practical skills, spending the summer leading the soft launch of Handmade Montserrat gave Juniper something even more transformative: confidence. Heading into the school year, Juniper is stepping into a leadership role—mentoring new student staff, sharing business insights, and ensuring every voice on the team is heard.

“I was encouraged to push for big things—new ideas, a storefront, a fun mascot costume,” Juniper reflects. “The sky is the limit as long as you have the drive to plan and present it. Testing these professional skills in a supportive, campus environment has given me total peace of mind about jumping into the workforce after graduation.”

For prospective students wondering if Montserrat offers practical art education, Juniper’s advice is simple: take the first step, approach your work professionally, and advocate for your goals. If there’s a specific path you want to forge, our faculty and staff are here to help you build it.

Ready to Create Your Path?

Want to learn more about our hands-on concentrations like Games, Toys, and Play, or see how our Creative Employment Initiative supports student artists? Schedule a campus tour or connect with the Montserrat Admissions team today!