Full Sail University is a place where students can come together for hands-on learning in entertainment media and emerging technologies. However, the university’s real-world education and student connections go beyond the classroom. Events ranging from career fairs and gaming tournaments to holiday celebrations and grand openings give Full Sail students opportunities to have fun, network, and learn more about their chosen industries.
Hall of Fame Week
Full Sail’s annual Hall of Fame Week is where current students, alumni, faculty members, and guest speakers connect and learn together. Educational presentations, panels, and workshops help students sharpen their skills and learn more about what’s happening in the working world, while student activities like karaoke, a cosplay contest, a block party, and crafts give them time to unwind. The week culminates in the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where six distinguished Full Sail graduates are honored for their dedication to their professional industries and their commitment to continually inspiring Full Sail students.
Career Fairs
Employers from a range of industries come to Full Sail’s campus for Career Fairs a few times a year; they talk to alumni and students nearing graduation about career goals and open positions in their organizations. Past employers who have attended include Walt Disney World, Orlando City Soccer, and Orlando Health. Full Sail’s Career Development department has also held workshops at past Career Fairs, helping students with interview, resume, and networking skills.
Technology Events
Full Sail connects students with the latest in emerging technology through a variety of tech events. Representatives from companies like Apple and Sony come to campus for a Tech Expo during Hall of Fame Week, showing students the latest equipment used for virtual reality, audio recording, and more. Full Sail has also hosted hackathons, where students and alumni collaborate with subject matter experts to build software solutions and prototypes that address real-world problems. And game jams bring students and grads together to create game demos, getting insight from industry pros along the way.
Grand Openings
Full Sail is always striving to create new opportunities for students on campus by adding up-to-date spaces for hands-on learning and collaboration, and students can stay in the loop and check out these new spaces at grand openings. Previous grand openings include the unveiling of Studio V1, Full Sail’s campus virtual production studio, and the opening of Armada HQ, the university’s gaming and esports center.
EA **Madden NFL** Championship Series
For the past two years, Full Sail has served as the home of EA SPORTS’ **Madden NFL** Championship series. The university welcomes some of the world’s top **Madden** players to the Full Sail University Orlando Health Fortress, where they compete for cash prizes during multiple events. Full Sail students have helped produce the events during both years; EA has also contributed to a scholarship fund for students.
Gaming Tournaments
Full Sail has hosted several esports tournaments, including the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) Grand Finals, the NACE Starleague Grand Finals, and the XP League North American Finals. Tournaments featuring Armada, Full Sail’s collegiate esports team, also take place on campus. Students can watch the action in the Fortress, Full Sail’s esports arena; students also frequently help out on the production end of these events.
Holiday Celebrations
Holidays of all stripes are alive and well at Full Sail thanks to campus celebrations. During spooky season, the university holds an annual Halloween party, complete with a costume contest for students and staff, live performances, and treats galore. During the summer, holiday events like parties for Juneteenth and the Fourth of July give students the chance to celebrate and connect. Full Sail is also a regular participant in the Winter Park Christmas Parade, and the university celebrates additional international holidays on campus through student clubs.
Open Mic Nights
Students can practice their one-liners, break out their guitars, and appreciate each other’s creativity at Full Sail’s open mic nights. Held in the Treehouse, the university’s student-run live performance venue, the open mic nights give students another place to connect on campus. Students in the Live Event Production degree program also get hands-on experience running lights and sound for the open mic nights as well as other events in the Treehouse.
Viewing Parties
Full Sail graduates often work on nominated and winning projects at award shows like the Grammys, Oscars, Emmys, and the Game Awards. Students can celebrate those grads at campus and virtual viewing parties, giving them an opportunity to come together and enjoy the excitement.
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