Our Outreach Program is founded upon strong relationships we enjoy with key university programs in art, animation, digital media studies and computer science with an emphasis on computer graphics.

Every year, we work with a wide range of these schools, in Northern and Southern California as well as across the country and overseas, to identify students who might have potential as DreamWorks Animation employees.

Open positions vary from year to year, but include all major production departments including: art/visual development, matte painting, story, pre-vis/layout, animation, modeling, character rigging, character FX, FX, crowds, surfacing and lighting. In animation technology, positions include technical directors and software developers.

We look for talented students who upon their graduation are energetic, dedicated, resourceful, problem solvers, excellent communicators and team players. It is important that whatever their area of study, they have taken the time to focus on learning the foundational skills that will serve as the springboard for their future endeavors. Even though our artists work digitally, many have backgrounds and experience as traditional artists. For example, the artists working in our art departments to design the sets and environments for our movies have formal training in drawing, painting and related skills.

Our Outreach Program works to facilitate the transition into what is, for many, their very first real job. Once they start at DreamWorks Animation, entry-level employees often find themselves on track to become future leaders in this dynamic field.

If you are interested in exploring computer animation and effects, here is a short list of schools (U.S. and Canada only) that offer relevant courses and degree programs. These schools have programs/courses in the artistic and/or technical areas and may focus on one or many aspects of our industry. Do your research on the program that best suits your interests and strengths!

This list is by no means complete and DreamWorks Animation does not necessarily endorse any of these institutions or their programs, but it is a good start for anyone interested in a career in computer animation. Please be advised that this field continues to grow, mature and change at a rapid pace.

Academy of Art University San Francisco

ACME Animation

Animation Mentor

Art Center College of Design

Brown University

BYU

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

California College of the Arts

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

California Institute of the Arts

California State University, Chico

California State University, Fullerton

California State University, Long Beach

California State University, Northridge

Carnegie Mellon University, Entertainment Technology Center

Clemson

Columbia College, Chicago

Columbus College of Art & Design

Cornell University

Ex'pression College for Digital Arts

Georgia Tech

The Gnomon School

Harvey Mudd

Laguna College of Art & Design

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

New York University, Center for Advanced Digital Applications

The Ohio State University, ACCAD

Pratt Institute

Purdue University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Rhode Island College of Art & Design

Ringling College of Art & Design

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

Ryman Arts

San Francisco State University

San Jose State University

Savannah College of Art & Design

School of Visual Arts

Sheridan College

Stanford University

Texas A&M University, Department of Visualization

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Irvine

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Santa Barbara

University of California, Santa Cruz

University of Central Florida

University of Pennsylvania

University of Southern California

University of Texas, Dallas

University of Utah

University of Washington

Vancouver Film School