Arts, creative arts & humanities: overview

Introduction

Numbers graduating from this popular range of courses have largely remained the same as last year. The two exceptions are English, with over 100 fewer graduates in 2007, and performing arts, which showed an additional 500 students graduating.

Where do arts and humanities graduates go?

The arts, creative arts and humanities graduates in this section entered a diverse range of occupations. The what do employers want? article thus provides essential reading to inform and aid career planning for these graduates who are facing a range of career options, including:

• Direct entry into employment – competitive opportunities for graduates of ‘any discipline’ requires students to have acquired skills from life, voluntary or work experience in addition to their academic abilities.
• Further study – a progression taken particularly by non vocational students in these subject areas, opting for a vocational or ‘qualifying’ route.
• Work experience – gaining work experience or work-based learning either during their studies, or immediately after graduation via voluntary or temporary work, which often serves as a transitional stage of career choice and decision making. In the creative sectors this also provides access to a network and an initial, and often essential, ‘foot in the door’.
• Self employment – or working for yourself, is particularly appropriate for the practice of many arts/creative students, and increasingly an option for all graduates of any discipline. See the article ‘Working for yourself’ in this publication.

Most higher education institutions now provide Personal Development programmes and activities, enabling 'students to develop their employability skills, to raise their own awareness of these skills and to increase their ability to articulate these skills' (English Subject Centre: Student Employability Profile. Higher Education Academy). Students from the earliest stage of their studies should engage with these practices as well as setting their own agenda to acquire additional skills and experiences beyond their course, to inform and steer their career decisions, and prepare them to compete in changing and challenging environments.

Table 1 shows the first destinations of 2007 arts, creative arts and humanities graduates.

Employment/Further study -The ‘creative’ areas of media studies, art/design and performing arts have employment rates at 71.7%, 67.2% and 63.5% respectively, all above the 63.3% average figure for all first degree graduates. Although English, modern languages and history have below average employment figures at 56.3%, 57.5% and 53.6% respectively, they show a higher rate of further study and training as a sole activity. 20.5% of modern languages graduates went on to further study in 2007, compared with 19% in 2006, whilst English and performing arts both saw a slight drop.

Unemployment - Media studies (8.2%) and art/design (8.5%) have higher rates of unemployment when compared to the ‘all subjects’ figure of 5.5% whilst modern languages compared well at 5.2%. Unemployment for all first degree subjects dropped from 6% in 2006 to 5.5% in 2007, and the arts, creative arts and humanities subjects covered in this section have all followed this trend and seen unemployment decrease during this period.

Types of work

Arts, creative arts and humanities graduates enter a vast range of occupations, including:

• Marketing, sales and advertising – Significant numbers of arts, creative arts and humanities graduates continue to be drawn into these occupations, with 10% of media studies and modern languages graduates working in the UK entering these areas of work. In addition, 7.7% of history graduates from 2007 who were employed in the UK worked in these areas, up from 6.3% in 2006.
• Commercial, industrial and public sector managers –There has been a growth of humanities graduates into commercial and management roles, with 9% of English (7.9% in 2006) and 10.1% of media studies (8.6% in 2006) graduates employed in the UK working in these types of work.
• Business and finance – 14.4% of modern languages and 10.6% of history graduates from 2007 working in the UK were in these types of work, compared with 12% and 9.7% respectively in 2006. These are significantly above the average figure for all subjects (8.7% in 2007).
• Other jobs - Many skilled craft occupations undertaken by creative design and fine arts graduates lie within this category. The high percentages reflect the diversity of disciplines in this grouping and areas of work entered by these graduates. This section also reflects those students who for a variety of reasons, may be engaged in interim activities as, during this early period after graduation, their decisions and actions may be somewhat fluid. Notably, however, there has been a slight fall this year in all arts, creative arts and humanities subjects represented in this category.

Case studies

Michael, PR consultant, BA Media and Cultural Studies

I studied media and cultural studies at university, graduating in 2007. I always had a strong interest in this sector and the course was a perfect blend of theoretical and cultural analysis and the more hands-on practical approach towards the whole spectrum of the media industry. This was beneficial as it didn’t pigeonhole me into taking a specific career path. Instead, it opened up a host of career options that I had initially overlooked.

The careers service at my university was extremely helpful in narrowing down the number of possible routes available. Through dedicated career workshops tailored towards a career in the media, I gained an understanding of the media industry, its competitive nature and the varied roles available. I attended a one-to-one careers meeting where I was given a range of CV hints and tips as well as some much needed advice on the professions I had an interest in.

I became particularly interested in public relations (PR) after attending a session organised by the university at which a PR and marketing firm came and spoke to us on the nature of the PR industry. I acted quickly and was fortunate enough to secure work experience with the firm, for two days a week, until I finished my degree. This experience was extremely beneficial and allowed me to develop specific skills, which were not covered through the course.

I also attended a dedicated PR careers day held in London by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). This gave me a fantastic insight into the world of PR from some of the UK’s most dynamic companies. My current employer attended the day to promote an opportunity for a graduate to join their company. I submitted my application and, to my amazement, was invited to an interview and subsequently offered the job.

I now work in London as a consultant, working for such clients as Google, American Express and Siemens. I am extremely grateful for the support provided to me from tutors and the careers service as I know without the advice I received I may never have got the job.

Leanne, graphic designer, BA Fine Arts and Graphic Design

Art and design have always been my passions, so I suppose it was an easy decision for me to choose subjects for sixth form, to BTEC diploma, right through to my degree in fine art.

During my degree I had the freedom to explore and experiment with my artistic skills, which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, after my degree I was unsure what my career path should be. I worked as a freelance artist for a while, but learnt very quickly that this wasn't for me, as I found working in a solitary environment difficult and demotivating. I quickly had to focus my efforts into getting a career much more suitable to my personality, i.e. doing something with my artistic skills, in a creative environment with people of a like mind. I made the decision to go back to university to gain the relevant skills to become a graphic designer.

After my first year at university, I realised I needed to get some 'real life' industry experience. I emailed my CV to design agencies in the North East. Luckily, I was taken on by an interior design practice that also produced graphic design and exhibition design work.

A year on, I have completed my degree and I have been offered a full-time position at the same company. Although my title is graphic designer, my role is very varied. Alongside graphics projects, I illustrate interior spaces, contribute to interior design solutions and create artwork for feature wall coverings. There is no strict day-to-day routine and sometimes it is certainly an emotional rollercoaster. The rate at which I'm learning is fast and the new skills I need to learn are endless, which I find an exciting challenge. Creativity is an enormous aspect of my work. However, the not-so-glamorous activities involve getting quotations, managing print work, chasing printers, and the inevitable office activities requiring attention in a busy practice.

Currently, the company has won two tenders for museum exhibition spaces and although the projects are in their earlier stage they have definitely created a buzz of excitement around the office.

Throughout my experience, I have learnt that the most important piece of advice I could give to anyone wanting a career in the design industry is to get yourself out there, post your CV, get work experience and most of all be enthusiastic, show willing and be confident.

Contacts and resources

Websites

Resources on this site

• Your degree in art and design
• Your degree in combined arts
• Your degree in graphic design
• Your degree in film and photography
• Your degree in fine art
• Your degree in humanities
• Your degree in music
• Your degree in performing arts (dance/drama)
• Your degree in English
• Your degree in history
• Your degree in media/communication studies
• Your degree in modern languages
• Industry insights - occupations especially relevant to arts and humanities graduates can be found under arts, design and crafts, administration (specifically arts administration), advertising, marketing & PR and publishing, media & performing arts.
• Explore job sectors - again, a range of titles are appropriate to arts, creative arts & humanities graduates including advertising, marketing & PR, broadcast, film and interactive media, creative arts, fashion and textiles, and publishing.

General links

• a-n: The Artists Information Company - resources for those looking for work in the visual arts
• Arts Council England
• BBC Jobs
• Careers A-Z
• Creative Industries Development Agency (CIDA)
• The Conference of Drama Schools
• The Design Council
• Foundation for Community Dance
• Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM)
• Intute: Humanities
• The National Centre for Languages (CILT)
• National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE)
• Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for Creative Media

Publications

• Careers Using Languages, Edda Ostarhild, Kogan Page, ISBN 0749437316
• Handbook for Languages and Careers. Languages Work (CILT) ISBN: 1 904243 39 8
• BFI Film Handbook 2005, Eddie Dyja (ed.) ISBN 1844570428
• BFI Television Handbook 2005 : the essential guide to UK TV, Alistair D. McGown (ed.) ISBN 1844570274
• The Guardian Media Directory 2007:: an essential handbook, Janine Gibson (ed.) ISBN 9780852650592
• Careers & Jobs in the Media, Simon Kent, Kogan Page, ISBN 0749442476
• What Can I Do With…an Arts Degree?, Beryl Dixon, Trotman, ISBN 0856607223
• What Can I Do With….a Media Studies Degree? Margaret Mc Alpine, Trotman. ISBN: 0856608661
• Careers with an Arts or Humanities Degree, Philip Schofield, Lifetime Publishing. ISBN: 1904979068