Originally Posted: Mar 16, 2012
Last Updated: Mar 29, 2012
This 10-part series will look at those forgotten majors: the ones that do not seem to have job fairs, the ones that people ask, “What will you do with that?” and the ones that students themselves ask, “I like the subject, but what do I do with my degree now?”
Likes drawing, painting, or sculpting.
Enjoys working with their hands.
Prefers to work alone.
Longs to be creative and show their personality.
If this describes you, a degree in art or art history might be the best match for you. People who study art are often very talented and creative individuals who have a lot to offer the world in terms of self expression and aesthetic beauty. Art majors have several options that they can combine using their degree while still having that feeling of financial security and stability in their lives.
Art teacher
Even though educational art programs are being downsized and eliminated, parents still want their children exposed to art and culture. Even if a school can’t afford the proper traditional art classes, parents are often still interested in enrolling their child in either an after-school or weekend art program, or even for private lessons in some cases. An art degree and a desire to work with children can mean that an occupation teaching art might be the perfect fit for that creative individual with tremendous talent and patience working with young people.
Art therapy
Art therapy is a somewhat modern trend that is spreading like wildfire, as people are seeing its benefits for helping troubled children and adults deal with real issues that are limiting their social, emotional, and mental health. Art therapy gives artists an opportunity to still work with personal expression while helping people at the same time, which allows for a feeling of purpose and need that is hard to find in some professions.
Fashion designer
Not a people person? Consider using your artistic talent to help create something useful that does not involve a large amount of interaction with people or children. Fashion design can be a very rewarding career choice as it allows tremendous creativity and freedom of expression for artists to present their own styles, talents, and ideas in the form of clothing and accessories that the general public would enjoy wearing and purchasing.
