On “America’s Next Top Model,” aspiring models gallivant on runways and on photo shoots to see who can become the next Tyra Banks or Heidi Klum. On the campus of Ohio State, you can find a number of students who are already models. While those who appear on “Top Model” are vying for a job in the industry of high fashion, OSU students are signed on with agencies in the realm of commercial and print modeling.

For junior Danielle Briggs, a career in modeling happened by chance. As a young girl, she wanted to act, so she got involved with the Buckeye TV soap opera “Kollege” her freshman year. Through this, one of her fellow actors told her she had a “great look” and referred her to a local modeling agency, CAM Talent.

“We’re at an age where the people agencies target for modeling are people who look just like the average college student,” said Briggs, a political science major. “They are looking for people who make others feel comfortable when they look at ads, not intimidated.”

Briggs said the interview process was difficult, because those who conduct the interview are judging potential clients from the moment they set foot in the door. Despite that, Briggs was signed in the fall of 2005 and has landed a number of jobs.

Her first photo shoot, as with almost any model, was a headshot and portfolio.

“The point of a portfolio and a headshot is not only to see how you look on camera and what your range is, but so photographers and employers can see exactly what they are going to get if they hire you,” Briggs said. Because of this, she said she can not make drastic changes with her hair style, and must maintain a specific exercise regimen.

In her short time as a model, Briggs has done a number of shoots for brochures, and has appeared in a television commercial for Goody’s department stores. She said this was her most exciting shoot, because her wardrobe stylist was Nole Marin, a recurring judge on “America’s Next Top Model.”

Although people often think of modeling as a woman’s profession, it is also an industry for men. Michael McGillicuddy, a sophomore in medical dietetics, has been working as a male model for about two years.

Unlike Briggs, McGillicuddy said he took it upon himself to seek a job in the modeling industry, and attended a modeling invitational where he interviewed with about 50 different agencies. He eventually signed with Elite Modeling and a New York City talent agency called Jordan, Gill and Dornbaum.

“Being in front of the camera and expressing myself creatively is a lot of fun and comes easily for me,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in acting, and modeling is a lot like acting in the artistic sense. I kind of portray myself as a different character and get to play a role.” He said seeing the finished product is a great award, but mostly enjoys the actual process more than the outcome.

While Briggs and McGillicuddy started modeling recently, some start in the business far earlier than college. Ryan Antoon, a junior in finance, has been modeling since he was 14, and like McGillicuddy, sought out the profession himself.

“You always hear about people getting approached at the mall or on the beach, but to tell you the truth, it hardly ever happens,” Antoon said. He said he started because it seemed like a really fun job, and started his portfolio in Australia with the help of Platform Management.

In his seven years of modeling, Antoon has found much success. He has a Speedway television commercial airing and a music video currently playing. Additionally, he has had a fashion spread in FHM and was on the cover of Cincinnati Magazine in October.

Antoon indicated that modeling takes a lot of discipline. Each day, he takes two trips to the gym and eats six or seven well-balanced meals.

Even though it’s a lot of work, Antoon said it’s worth it.

“On set, you’ll spend hours on end in a trailer with interesting people from all walks of life,” he said. “You hardly ever leave a shoot without new contacts. Oh yeah… seeing yourself on TV is sweet, too.”

One thing Briggs, McGillicuddy and Antoon can all agree on that to make it in the business, you have to have tough skin, and a positive attitude.

“You can be as pretty as you want to be, but if you’re not on time and you’re not kind and courteous, people are not going to call you back,” Briggs said.

In addition to working toward a college degree and getting careers in different fields, all three aspire to continue in the modeling business.

“I’ll probably model for as long as someone will hire me,” Antoon said. “Why not?”