What can I do with this degree?
ARTS& DESIGN
AREA: ART MUSEUMS/GALLERIES
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Education
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Administration
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Curatorial
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Conservation
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Registrar
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Collections Management
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Sales
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Publications
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Development
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Public Relations
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Exhibit Design/Preparation
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Archivist
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Tour Guides/Docent
EMPLOYERS
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Government or private museums
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Local historical societies
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Galleries
STRATEGIES
Intern or volunteer in an art museum. Develop
strength in art history areas.
Enhance computer skills. Earn a business minor. Acquire strong skills in research,
fund-raising, speaking, and writing. Earn an advanced degree in an academic
discipline or museum studies for greater career opportunities. Each specialty
has varying qualifications and required training. Develop good interpersonal
skills, including the ability to work well on teams.
AREA: FINE ARTS
EMPLOYERS
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Self-employed
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Shared studios
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Historic sites
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School/Community programs
STRATEGIES
Prepare a strong portfolio. Participate in juried shows. Secure
guild membership.
Consider developing a source of supplemental income.
Learn to network and make contacts. Develop strong
skills in
area of interest. Obtain experience through
apprenticeships, internships, or volunteering.
AREA: COMMERCIAL ART
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Graphic
Art
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Computer Graphics
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Illustration
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Advertising
EMPLOYERS
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Newspapers
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Publishing houses
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Advertising agencies
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Design firms
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Large companies - product design divisions
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Department stores
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Television and motion picture industry
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Non-technical and technical books, magazines, and trade publications
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Internet media companies
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Self-employed (freelance)
STRATEGIES
Prepare a strong portfolio. Gain computer
and technical skills. Find an internship in a design firm. Work on
campus publications in design or layout. Obtain summer
or part-time experience with book, magazine, or newspaper publishers.
Develop attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines. Supplement
curriculum with
course work in advertising or business.
AREA: EDUCATION
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Studio
Art
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Fine Arts
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Art History
EMPLOYERS
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Art schools
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Public and private schools (K-12)
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Colleges and universities
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Adult and community programs
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Libraries
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Museums
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Alternative schools
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Group homes
STRATEGIES
Obtain certification for public school
teaching. Graduate degree usually required for post- secondary teaching.
Develop a specialty area. Work or volunteer as
a tutor, camp counselor, Big Brother/Sister, or after-school
program counselor.
Become a member of art clubs. Obtain substitute-teaching experience. Develop
strength in art history areas.
AREA: ART THERAPY
EMPLOYERS
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Hospitals, nursing homes
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Mental health facilities
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Rehabilitation centers
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Nonprofit organizations
STRATEGIES
Requires specialized training and certification,
usually a master's degree in art therapy. Supplement curriculum with
psychology, social work, or counseling
courses. Gain experience working with diverse populations.
AREA: MEDIA
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Sales
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Programming
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Design
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Video
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Production
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Editing
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Art Journalism
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Illustration
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Art Criticism
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Animation/Cartoons
EMPLOYERS
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Corporate media departments
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Federal, state, and local government
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Nonprofit agencies
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Public relations and advertising firms
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Independent production companies
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Art-related publications
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Publishing houses
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Newspapers and magazines
STRATEGIES
Compile an up-to-date portfolio. Gain knowledge of a variety of technical equipment.
Develop strong computer skills. Participate in student theatrical productions.
Serve as audio-visual aide for campus films and lectures. Act as photographer
for campus events. Work on student publications. Gain experience through internships
in media or related areas. Supplement curriculum with courses in business, journalism,
or broadcasting/electronic media.
AREA: PHOTOGRAPHY
EMPLOYERS
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Museums and historical societies
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Media organizations
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Photo agencies, studios, and auction houses
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Libraries
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Self-employment
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Large corporations
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Hospitals
STRATEGIES
Apprentice with a free-lance photographer. Prepare a black and white and a color
portfolio. Obtain a staff photographer position with the yearbook, campus newspaper,
or magazine. Act as an audio-visual assistant or projectionist.
AREA: FASHION, TEXTILE, INTERIOR DESIGN
EMPLOYERS
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Pattern companies
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Apparel manufacturers/textile mills
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Interior design departments
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Commercial/residential design firms
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Self-employment
STRATEGIES
Prepare a strong portfolio. Complete
an internship in a production firm. Create and fit costumes for stage
productions. Enter design ideas in magazine contests.
Become a student member of professional organization(s). Research requirements
for entering these fields. Some may require specialized training or additional
degrees.
AREA: ART SALES
EMPLOYERS
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Galleries/Museums
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Auction houses
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Specialty stores
STRATEGIES
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Gain sales experience
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Obtain a business minor
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Develop computer skills
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Establish contacts by attending shows
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Volunteer in museums, membership drives, and community outreach
programs
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Serve as a student assistant in a university gallery
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Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills
AREA: RETAIL
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Buying
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Store Management
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Display Design
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Fashion Coordination
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Custom Framing
EMPLOYERS
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Retail stores, including department, grocery,
drug, specialty, and variety chains
STRATEGIES
Gain sales experience. Enhance curriculum
with business courses. Obtain summer, part-time, or internship positions
in retail. Secure leadership in campus organizations.
Serve as treasurer or financial officer
of an organization. Obtain a sales position with the yearbook or
campus newspaper.
GENERAL INFORMATION
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A bachelor’s degree is valuable for entry-level positions,
but an advanced degree is usually necessary to attain competitive,
upper-level positions.
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An art degree can and should be tailored to areas of specialization.
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Save artwork for a strong portfolio - too much is better than too little.
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Be prepared to relocate to the larger markets of metropolitan areas where more
opportunities exist.
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Join art related professional and student organizations.
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Volunteer with fundraising efforts for the arts.
Gain valuable experience through volunteering, internships, part-time and summer
jobs, and apprenticeships.
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Conduct informational interviews with professionals in areas of interest to
learn more about opportunities and strategies for these areas.
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Learn to network.
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Be prepared to begin career in entry-level positions.
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Pair an art degree with other career interests to increase opportunities and
provide supplemental income.
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Develop skills in business management, computers, marketing, and other related
areas to increase marketability.
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A career in the arts takes dedication, patience, flexibility, talent, and some
luck.
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