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From Fine Arts Career Services @ The University of Texas at Austin

"What can't you do with a fine arts degree?"

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.)

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 - 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

• 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

• Performer
• Entrepreneur
• Business Manager
• Composer
• Conducter
• Agent
• Music Publisher
• Booking Agent
• Concert Promoter
• Recording Engineer
• Instrument Sales
• Record Producer
• Disc/Video Jockey
• Publicist
• Music Critic/Journalist

• Performer
• Entrepreneur
• Playwright
• Producer
• Casting Agent
• Stage Manager
• Lighting Designer
• Sound Person
• Set Designer
• Makeup Person
• Press Agent
• Hall or Box Office Manager
• Critic

About Fine Arts Career Services, College of Fine Arts, The University of Texas at Austin : Fine Arts Career Services is dedicated to serving the unique needs of emerging visual and performing artists, whether they choose to pursue careers in traditional arts professions or in other sectors of the workforce. It is one of the first independent, full service career service offices dedicated to assisting visual and performing arts majors with their career concerns at a major, public research institution.