**THE ART INSTITUTES** [https://www.artinstitutes.edu] (https://www.artinstitutes.edu) The Art Institutes is a system of more than 50 schools throughout North America. Students can earn a certificate, an undergraduate degree, or a graduate degree. The schools offer degree programs in design, media arts, fashion, and culinary arts. The schools offer classes at campuses throughout the United States and online; some of the schools allow students to blend campus and online learning. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division’s fully online degree programs give students the freedom to log into their classes any time. The students can interact with their classmates and professors from anywhere in the world. The schools offer flexible learning options because they understand that frequent relocations and deployments can make it difficult for military students to pursue their educational goals. The Art Institutes values the skills that its student-veterans have learned in the military, including leadership, discipline, and self-motivation. Most military training courses have been evaluated for academic credit by the American Council on Education (ACE). The schools will evaluate a veteran’s Joint Service Transcript or corresponding official service transcript to determine whether they can award college-level credit for prior learning. ###A SUCCESSFUL GRAD | ERIC SCHWARTZ Eric Schwartz served in the United States Navy for four years as a hospital corpsman. In 2013, he earned a bachelor of fine arts, digital film and video from The Art Institute of Portland. He is now a creative services producer for KDRV News Watch 12 in Medford, Oregon. He is responsible for conceptualizing, producing, and delivering commercials. Schwartz said that his career challenges his creativity, and that he learns something new each day. “What I enjoy most about my career is never knowing what will come next,” he said. Reaching people on a personal level is one of the most rewarding parts of his career. “There are projects that aren't out to make a name brand or a lot of money, but help to spread positive messages that are meant to help out local communities,” he said. These include a ‘You Can Play’ video for Portland State University Campus and a Habitat for Humanity video. How did his education help prepare him for his creative career? “It gave me the knowledge, skills, and teamworking abilities that I need and use every day,” he said. Schwartz recommends that current students take risks and challenges that others won’t. “If things are not how you imagined they would be, find a new way to look at them,” he said. “Tackle every job with a positive attitude.”