Entertainment
Today's entertainment industry includes everything from the large scale productions of the Hollywood studio system, to the independent work being done within smaller markets, to the new media offerings adapting at the fringe of established distribution channels. A lot of attention and publicity is given to the “above the line” careers such as directing, producing, writing, and acting, but just as many career opportunities are available within support industries like post-production, entertainment law, talent representation, public relations and marketing, and social media.
Marketing
Advertising and marketing are terms that tend to be synonymous in the minds of many, and rightfully so; the two functions are complementary and intertwined. In the simplest terms, marketers determine packaging, pricing, and promotion strategy (marketing campaign) for current and new products, keeping the brand, or the image the company is trying to convey with their products, in mind. Advertisers carry out the product promotion through development and strategic placement of memorable and persuasive advertisements, both subtle and overt, to get the message out to the target market.
Market Research and Development
Market researchers work to understand what drives people to buy Cheerios, Chevrolets, and chimichangas.
Architecture
Architecture, a discipline deeply rooted in the creative expression of designing physical spaces, presents a vast array of interdisciplinary job opportunities. While architecture itself embodies the art and science of constructing buildings, the path to success in this field extends beyond the confines of traditional licensed architectural practice.
Social Media
While it is true that platforms are destined to change, the social media revolution in marketing will not fade away; rather, it will evolve and transform to adopt new technologies and new channel streams.
Publishing
There are a wide range of opportunities in book publishing. Some departments you may find include: Editorial, Finance, Contracts, Publicity, Art & Design, Production, Information Technology, Marketing/Advertising/Promotions, Subsidiary Rights and Permissions, Sales, Internet Development, Distribution. A rapidly growing trend in the publishing arena is electronic, audio, and new media formats.
Museums and Galleries
Museums are educational organizations that collect, preserve, and present important artifacts and/or works of art for the public to view and study. Museums may be organized by their collections (art, history, natural history) or by their intended audiences (children's museums). Possible occupational titles include: museum director, curator, collections manager, archivist, museum technician, conservator, researcher, exhibit designer, educator, editor, photographer, and librarian.
Media
Careers in media production vary from working behind the camera to editing, storyboarding, planning, producing, and managing client relationships. Most media production takes place in the realm of advertising, entertainment, or journalism, but some production companies are hired by corporations or non-profits to produce content for websites, training, or print.
Journalism
Almost every career in journalism begins with writing experience. While many schools offer specialized degrees in journalism, with courses like Feature Article Writing, Digital Storytelling, Investigative Journalism, etc, students can use skills gained from a liberal arts education to prepare for this career In fact, there are very specialized areas of journalism that are advantaged by a background in science, economics, or other disciplines.
Fine Art
Practicing artists support themselves by teaching, selling artwork, being awarded grants and commissions, and a wide variety of other related (and non-related) professional endeavors. Growing and maintaining an active studio practice requires both training and resources— in the form of materials, equipment, space, and exhibition or performance opportunities. Many artists refine their work and begin to connect with the world of galleries, grants, and exhibitions in a graduate program (usually an MFA program). However, this is not the only path to a career as an artist.
Fashion and Lifestyle
Fashion is a fast-paced and exciting industry for those who love clothes, designs, and trends. This international industry includes careers ranging from modeling to fabric/clothing design, from marketing to retail, from business to manufacturing, from buying to merchandising. Possible occupational titles include: fashion designer, model, photographer, fashion editor, fashion writer, fashion stylist, fashion buyer, retail merchandisers.
Creative Writing
As a practice, creative writing refers to a wide variety of disciplines. Writers who want to publish novels, poetry, short fiction, and creative non-fiction often earn an MFA and support their creative practice by teaching in higher education.
Arts Administration
A career in arts administration combines interest in the arts with business expertise and fundraising skills. Arts administrators work for symphony orchestras, art galleries, museums, ballet companies, musical groups, theatres and other organizations.
Arts Education
As a field, art education spans traditional K-12 art classrooms to university/college teaching and even to more community-oriented spaces, like museums, arts centers, and educational non-profits. This field even crosses over into healthcare in the form of vocational rehabilitation and art therapy programs.
“I have had a wonderful time working in my often hectic, diverse, and meaningful career where I have continued to learn and to connect with audiences. My liberal arts background from Wellesley was the education I needed for this.”