|
Full
Site Search
To search the entire TransWorld Education Site for both
articles and college details please use the form below.
Warning: Results can be extensive.
|
What Can You Do With a Degree in Fine
Arts?
The answer is simple. Your job options
are as wide and varied as your interests and talents.
Conversely, the more limited you are, the more limited
your choices. Some options may provide less financial
stability while others will require you to attend graduate
school. Highly specialized fields may require significant
coursework or first-hand experience. (For example, graphic
design, theatrical design and recording require a knowledge
of particular kinds of technology.)
The real question is: "What
can't you do with a fine arts degree?"
 Dog
eat dog. To outsiders, the arts world can appear glamorous
and an escape from the life behind a desk in a 9-5 world.
But the arts world can be just as "dog eat dog"
as Wall Street. It's a business, too. And one must be
willing to pay one's proverbial dues. Some students
have familial obligations that prevent them from taking
the kinds of risks (moving to LA, struggling in a low-paying
job in their 'dream field") required to gain their
footing in the competitive arts world. They may find
a "regular" job and find creative ways of
venting their artistic energy. Or they may start their
own company. Other students pursue an arts degree just
because they love the topic, planning all along to become
an investment banker, doctor, or lawyer. And then there
are those lucky ones who do find success in the visual
or performing arts, in large part because they were
conscientious and made good decisions along their career
path.
Use your interests to guide your exploration of the
opportunities available in the world of work. Through
exploration, develop an action plan.
A College Degree Won't Guarantee a Job
Today's job market is competitive, especially in the
visual and performing arts and there are many people
already out their pursuing your dream job with your
degree and more experience. But you have the power to
make your degree work better for you. Here are some
tips:
-
If you can, squeeze in a business course.
-
Classes in marketing and management will be useful
if you pursue a career in arts administration, mainstream
business, or if you choose to become an independent
artist.
-
Beyond the classroom, internships facilitate your
"trying on" a career to see if it suits
you.
-
Participation in student organizations (including
performing arts groups) may help develop your leadership
and organizational potential.
Above all, remember that a degree is a credential -a
tangible symbol that you follow through on commitments
' can read and write, and are willing to work toward
a goal. Like the athlete who strives for perfection
throughout college, the arts major works diligently
to develop his/her skills. Upon graduation only an exceptional
few athletes and artists 'go pro" right away. Yet
the arts major has a whole lifetime to develop professionally
in the visual or performing arts.
Success in any field is never guaranteed and with the
average person changing jobs 5 to 7 times over a lifetime,
it is likely that you will have several different kinds
of "careers" in any number of fields. From
the beginning of your academic career you need to think
"professionally." Make and foster a network
of faculty, staff, professional artists, and even fellow
students. Share information with them about your area
of interest and thank them when they share it with you.
Sample Careers for Art Majors
Artist
Entrepreneur
Printmaker
Photographer
Conservator
Curatorial Assistant
Public Relations (museum, art gallery)
Exhibit Designer
Archivist Registrar (museum)
Art Therapist
Writer/Critic
Art Agent/Consultant
Art Transporter or Handler
Framer
Medical Illustrator
Art Supply Salesperson
Authors:
Chicago Life, the University of Chicago (http://chicagolife.uchicago.edu)
and the City of Chicago (http://www.ci.chi.il.us)
|
