What can you do with a Art History, Criticism and Conservation degree?

First, some facts. Of the Art History, Criticism and Conservation graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 230 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 46%, Art History, Criticism and Conservation graduates have a substantially lower likelihood (-21%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 46%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 40% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Art History, Criticism and Conservation graduate.

See the details:

View a random Art History, Criticism and Conservation graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 23%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from University of North Texas with a Bachelors Degree in Art History, Criticism and Conservation. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Sales Associate
Walt Disney World
Jan 2012 - May 2012
The position of Sales Associate at Walt Disney World does not require any specific art history skills or knowledge, as it focuses on customer service and retail rather than art curation or history.

Special Events Attendant
Gaylord Hotels
Nov 2013 - Jan 2014
As a Special Events Attendant at Gaylord Hotels, this job primarily involves event logistics and customer interaction, which does not necessitate knowledge of art history.

Gallery Attendant
Amon Carter Museum
Feb 2014 - Dec 2014
The role of Gallery Attendant at Amon Carter Museum directly requires knowledge of art history to engage with visitors and explain artworks, making it highly relevant.

Collection Assistant/Gallery Attendant
University of North Texas
May 2015 - Aug 2015
The position as Collection Assistant/Gallery Attendant at the University of North Texas significantly utilizes skills in art history for managing and interpreting art collections, ensuring relevance to the degree.

Administrative Specialist
University of North Texas
Aug 2015 - Mar 2017
As an Administrative Specialist at the University of North Texas, this role may utilize certain transferable skills but lacks a direct connection to art history as a core qualification.

Front Desk Administrator
RE/MAX Fine Homes
Mar 2017 - Nov 2017
The Front Desk Administrator role at RE/MAX Fine Homes does not require knowledge of art history, focusing instead on real estate tasks and client services.

Art Booth Assistant
Backward Prints
Jun 2018 - Dec 2019
The job of Art Booth Assistant at Backward Prints may involve some art-related tasks, but lacks substantial use of formal art history education, making it less directly relevant.

Admission Service Representative
UMass Global
Nov 2017 - Jul 2019
As an Admission Service Representative at UMass Global, this position focuses on administrative tasks unrelated to art history or its application in any significant way.

Evaluation Specialist
UMass Global
Jul 2019 - Aug 2022
The Evaluation Specialist role at UMass Global entails assessments unrelated to art history, making it irrelevant to the individual's degree.

Development Support Coordinator
University of North Texas
Aug 2022 - Feb 2024
The Development Support Coordinator position at the University of North Texas may involve some arts-related tasks but primarily focuses on administrative support without a direct art history emphasis.

Program Project Specialist
University of North Texas
Feb 2024 - Present
The Program Project Specialist role at the University of North Texas might indirectly relate to arts programs but does not substantially use art history knowledge in daily tasks.

ABOUT

Experienced professional with a background in art galleries, museums, art business, and higher education institutions.

What jobs can you get with a Art History, Criticism and Conservation degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When analyzing the career paths of individuals who have graduated with degrees in Art History, Criticism, and Conservation, it's clear that they have ventured into a wide range of job sectors. Many of these roles can be categorized into two distinct groups: those that are directly relevant to art history and those that are not. The most common job types include positions in educational settings, galleries, museums, and administrative roles across various industries.

From the data, positions that leverage their art history education often include roles like curators, gallery assistants, and museum educators. For instance, positions like Curatorial Intern at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gallery Assistant at Timothy Taylor, or Museum Educator at the Rubin Museum of Art directly align with the education they received, requiring an intimate knowledge of art history and its principles. Additionally, several individuals have taken up teaching roles, such as Art Teacher or Lecturer, which also involve imparting knowledge of art history to students and the community. These types of employment are essential not only for the preservation of art but also for fostering an appreciation of art history in society, highlighting the relevance of their degrees in practical contexts.

On the other hand, many graduates have found themselves in roles that bear little connection to their field of study. For example, positions like Project Manager, Administrative Assistant, or Customer Service Representative generally focus on non-art-related tasks and skills. For many of these roles, the skills learned in an art history program—such as critical thinking, research methodologies, and artistic analysis—are not utilized in daily functions. This trend illustrates a common difficulty among arts graduates who often have to broaden their job search criteria, which can lead to positions outside their realm of study. While some may argue that soft skills gained from their education can be applied in these roles, it remains evident that these jobs do not exploit their specialized knowledge in art history.

In conclusion, while graduates of Art History, Criticism, and Conservation have navigated a variety of career paths, the most common and relevant roles tend to center around educational, curatorial, and museum positions. However, a considerable number also find themselves in unrelated fields that do not leverage their educational background effectively. This duality reflects the challenges faced by humanities scholars in a job market that often underappreciates the value of arts education.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Art History, Criticism and Conservation graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Art History, Criticism and Conservation graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When you look at the career trajectories of graduates who studied Art History, Criticism, and Conservation, it's clear that there are a variety of paths they take. Right after university, many of them start in roles that are less traditional and may not directly align with their degree. For instance, some jump into administrative roles, teaching positions, or even jobs in retail. This trend suggests that while they have the knowledge in art history or conservation, they might not find immediate opportunities in those fields or may seek jobs that pay the bills while they continue to look for higher-level positions related to their studies.

Fast forward about five to ten years, and you start to see some more alignment with their degrees. A significant number progress into roles more closely tied to art institutions, museums, and galleries. For example, there are curatorial positions, internships leading to full-time roles within museums, teaching positions in art history at schools, and conservation work that directly relates to preserving and promoting art. However, it's not all roses. Many graduates still check in and out of positions that may not correspond directly with their education, such as administrative support or sales, showing that the market for pure art history roles can be quite competitive and precarious.

Honesty time: while some graduates seem to find fulfilling roles that make use of their skills and knowledge in art history, many others end up in jobs that, while they may be interesting or respectable, don't fully utilize their education. It's evident that some folks may struggle to break into their desired field right away and may take side jobs or unrelated jobs just to keep afloat. Overall, it's a mixed bag—some soar and find their niche in the world of art, while others blend in with the masses, taking on careers that might not have been their first choice but still provide valuable experiences. If you're considering a degree in this field, it’s vital to have a flexible mindset and be open to exploring various job options while you find your place in the art world.

How hard is a Art History, Criticism and Conservation degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Criticism and Conservation can be pretty interesting and enjoyable, but it definitely has its challenges. It’s not usually considered one of the hardest degrees out there, but it does require a lot of reading, writing, and critical thinking. You’ll dive into a ton of art movements, history, and theory, which means spending time analyzing everything from ancient sculptures to modern installations. If you love art and are passionate about understanding it on a deeper level, you might find it easier to handle, but if you’re not as into the subject, those heavy readings and the need for strong analytical skills can feel overwhelming. So, it’s definitely got its ups and downs, like any degree!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Art History, Criticism and Conservation.

Do Art History, Criticism and Conservation graduates tend to make good money?

When it comes to analyzing the career paths of these Art History, Criticism, and Conservation graduates, it seems like the financial outcomes can really vary. Some of them have taken on solid roles in well-known institutions, like curatorial positions or project management, which usually come with decent pay. For example, graduates working at places like the Getty or in project management roles often land salaries that are competitive, especially compared to more entry-level positions in the arts sector. However, others have bounced around between lower-paying jobs or part-time positions, particularly in education or various retail roles, which typically don’t pay as much.

Overall, while a few have made their way into lucrative or stable roles, many seem to be navigating through a patchwork of temporary or lower-paying jobs, possibly reflecting the tougher job market for art employment. So, it looks like some folks have carved out a path that could bring in decent money, while others might be facing some financial challenges along the way. It all seems a bit of a mixed bag, depending heavily on the specific roles they’ve taken on after graduation.

What buzzwords do Art History, Criticism and Conservation graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Art History, Criticism and Conservation. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Art History, Criticism and Conservation?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Art History, Criticism and Conservation (ordered by the average relevance score of their Art History, Criticism and Conservation graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count