How to Use My Bachelor's Degree in Art

Courtesy Broad Contemporary Art Center

A bachelor's degree in art gives you creative thinking skills to succeed in countless fields. Art majors choose to become designers, art directors, educators, entrepreneurs and more. Deciding what to do with your degree requires the very skills your art education provided: self-reflection, inventiveness and creative communication. There are steps you can take to find the best use for your degree.

Things You'll Need

• Resume

Instructions

Self-reflection

1. List the skills you gained in college. Did you master plaster casting or woodcarving? Did you use Photoshop, Dreamweaver or Final Cut Pro? Did you paint from life? Write every skill down, even if you are still a beginner. To find the best use for your degree, you need to understand your own capabilities.

2. Add interests and talents to your list. Many creative people have hobbies that help them succeed. For instance, if you played in a band, you may have gained publicity skills by promoting gigs. Photographing school events may have given you photojournalism experience. A minor in physics could help you find work in fabrication or design technology.

3. 

   Rank the items on your list. If you prefer computers to sculpture, digital design should precede wood working. If you enjoy installation art more than drawing, rank accordingly. This helps you narrow your options.

Research

1. Use your list and rankings to find professions that interest you. If you are digitally minded, consider graphic design, computer animation or web design. If you enjoy interacting with people, look at community art schools, entertainment companies or public relations firms. If you have a background in art history, try museums, restoration firms or art libraries.

   Many artists are self-employed, working as freelance designers or making and selling original artwork. Others work for non-art organizations since companies in all sectors need creative minds. Retail stores often hire visual coordinators and even manufacturers need designers.

   Some art-related careers require graduate degrees, but pursuing internships and entry-level positions will give you experience and prepare you for graduate school.

2. 

   Explore the following possibilities:
   Advertising, architecture, archiving, art appraisal, art direction, art therapy, art retail, camp counseling, corporate communication, film production, fashion design and illustration, floral arranging, gallery direction, greeting card design, interior design, magazines and newspapers writing, museum positions, product design, printing, publishing, sign design, and textile design.

3. Get to know people who have careers you admire. See if your undergraduate college can connect you to successful alumni; many college career centers offer this service. Ask friends and family to introduce you to arts professionals they know. The more relationships you build, the better your chances of finding productive uses for your degree.

Marketing Yourself

1. Write your resume. As you apply for internships or jobs, your resume will play a key role. Only include experiences that either relate to the position you are pursuing or showcase your creativity. List the most recent experiences first and consider adding a "Projects" section to your resume. This allows you to highlight the innovative endeavors you pursue on your own. You could mention videos you've made, murals you've painted or community organizations to which you belong.

   Include relevant technical abilities, such as computer-related proficiency, power tool experience or sewing skills.

2. Gain experience in your chosen career by taking internships or volunteer positions. Even organizations with no existing internships will often allow you to work for them unpaid if you market yourself effectively.

3. 

   Have confidence in your ability to succeed. When you begin to meet potential employers and attend interviews, portray yourself as a creative thinker who always wants to learn and gain new abilities. Art is about using multiple mediums to communicate ideas; use the communication skills your art education has given you to showcase your qualifications.

References

• Woodbury College View
• Visual Art Career Guide
• Art Employment