Interview Featuring: Catherine Cavallo (‘26)

Catherine Cavallo (‘26), a current senior in our Design program, was recently selected for an invite-only event, Launch Your Creative Career with Adobe in NYC. Catherine and 64 other attendees met at the Adobe Office in Times Square this November. The event focused on networking, career readiness discussions, information on the Adobe Creative Apprenticeship Program, as well as creative fun for talented and career-minded students from all over the NYC area. Professor Amy Fortunato sat down with Catherine to learn about her experience and the impact it has made.

Amy: This is such a wonderful accomplishment! You were nominated and selected in part, because you had an exceptional portfolio that was visible to the public. What advice would you have for students who are just starting to put together their portfolio, to stand out for an opportunity like this?

Catherine: Quality over quantity. Focus on 3-5 portfolio pieces that represent the work you want to do and take the time to push them further. Upload final files, but also prioritize the process by including photos and telling the whole story. Mention any roles you played, but be intentional of how you say it. Instead of simply saying you designed a poster for class, highlight your experience working collaboratively and delivering under tight deadlines. Take advantage of all the briefs your design professors give you in class. You will maximize your own benefit by treating assignments with professionalism and respect. The more “real” you treat it, the more you will get out of it. These are the main things that helped me set up my portfolio for success.

Amy: Clearly, you were prepared for what Adobe was looking for. Only 65 students were selected from schools all over NYC – how did it feel to receive the invitation?

Catherine: I felt incredibly honored to receive an invitation to the Adobe office. Seeing my name next to Adobe in that exclusive email felt surreal, and being 1 of only 65 students selected made it even more rewarding. It was a moment that really showed me that hard work does pay off, and it only inspires me to keep going.

Amy: One of the opportunities was a live Behance course – what did you learn from that part of the retreat?

Catherine: I learned that your profile details are just as important as your projects. It’s important to optimize searchability by regularly updating your information, making your URL concise, and adding keywords to your bio. Subtle changes like including your links in your email signature and social media bio will boost visibility. Promoting and engaging with other creatives is also really important. Learn to be first to start the conversation.

Amy: What is something you learned from the retreat that surprised you?

Catherine: Something that surprised me was how not-so-scary it was to network. A piece of advice that was given to me before going in was that I shouldn’t be afraid of not clicking with certain people. And don’t force it; you’ll find the right people to connect with, and it’s important that you invest your focus and time in building on that connection. The retreat as a whole taught me that to succeed as a creative–you need to engage with other creatives daily. Making potential life-long friends along the way is a bonus!

Amy: Is networking something that you feel comes easily to you? Was there anything at the event that helped ease everyone into it?

Catherine: I’m very social in my personal life and at school, but professionally, this was one of the first networking events I ever attended. I was definitely nervous in the days leading up to it, but the moment I entered the space, it sort of felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. With that mindset, it became easier for me to go up to someone and introduce myself. Within a few minutes after checking in, I had already made my first friend.

Early on, Norman Borgonia, one of the event organizers, led an icebreaker where we had to find someone we didn’t know and vote yes or no on several design “hot takes.” The one that stuck with me was, “Is artist block real?” because everyone around me immediately blurted out yes. We all agreed that no matter what type of creative work you do, burnout is real and it sucks. It was comforting to see that we all shared similar experiences, even if we didn’t come from the same major or concentration.

Amy: Were there any words of wisdom that stuck with you that you want to share with the QC Design community?

Catherine: Vinny Anand, a filmmaker, shared amazing insights through his panel, “The Story of a Story.” One of the things that I took away was that storytelling is competitive. There is only room to be uniquely yourself. This directly spoke to me and my workflow because I often try to reveal some of myself through my work, whether it’s based on a personal memory, my heritage, or a conversation I overheard on the train. I strongly believe that what separates you from the next designer is your ability to share and conceptualize your own authenticity.

Amy: Looking back at the experience, what was a favorite memory from the retreat?

Catherine: My favorite moment was when it was announced that we were going to be fast-tracked into the Adobe Creative Apprenticeship Program and immediately offered to be commissioned by Adobe. People were gasping, tearing up, and texting their parents. You could really feel the energy in the room.

Another one of my favorite moments was during dinner, where I found myself reflecting about how I was now part of a group with 7 other creatives. Inside an office in midtown Manhattan, on the 18th floor, originally filled with people I didn’t know. Not only did I walk away with new connections, we had meaningful conversations and formed beautiful friendships.

Amy: Turning to what’s next…what would be your dream job after graduation?

Catherine: My dream job after graduation is to be a graphic designer at an agency or non-profit that genuinely cares about meaningful, concept-driven work. I want to create visual narratives that inspire other young creatives the same way that I’ve been inspired by the community around me. Working on campaigns or advertisements that promote impactful messages would be the dream. Another goal I intend to work on is expanding my personal brand and business, incorporating more of my own design into my passion for re-selling apparel.