What can you do with a Film-Video and Photographic Arts degree?

First, some facts. Of the Film-Video and Photographic Arts 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 64 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 58%, Film-Video and Photographic Arts graduates have a lower likelihood (-9%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 58%
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, only 20% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Film-Video and Photographic Arts graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Film-Video and Photographic Arts graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 0%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2016 from Connecticut School of Broadcasting with a Bachelor's degree in Film-Video and Photographic Arts. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Director of sales and marketing
Global Vision Hotels
Sep 2018 - Jan 2021
The role of Director of Sales and Marketing does not utilize specific skills or knowledge from a Film-Video and Photographic Arts degree, as it focuses on business and marketing strategies rather than creative or technical aspects of film and video.

General Manager Operations
Global Vision Hotels
Jan 2021 - Nov 2022
As General Manager of Operations, the position is largely centered around operational management and does not require the creative or technical skills related to Film-Video and Photographic Arts.

General Manager
Extended Stay America
Nov 2022 - Jan 2023
The General Manager role at Extended Stay America focuses on hospitality and operational management, which are unrelated to the core skills gained from a Film-Video and Photographic Arts degree.

Multi Unit General Manager
Extended Stay America
Jan 2023 - Present
Multi Unit General Manager at Extended Stay America emphasizes operational and managerial skills in the hospitality sector, which do not directly relate to the skills developed in Film-Video and Photographic Arts.

ABOUT

Hospitality specialist allocating budget resources, formulating policies, coordinating business operations, monitoring and motivating staff, managing operational costs, ensuring good customer service, improving administration processes, engaging with vendors, hiring and training employees.

What jobs can you get with a Film-Video and Photographic Arts degree?

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


In analyzing the career paths of individuals who graduated with a degree in Film-Video and Photographic Arts, several trends emerge regarding the types of jobs they secure post-graduation. Many graduates find themselves in roles that seem only tangentially related to their studies, such as positions in marketing, administrative support, and customer service. For instance, multiple graduates took jobs as social media managers, marketing coordinators, or even baristas, which do not require the creative or technical skills inherent in their fields of study. This disconnect raises questions about the job market for arts graduates and the extent to which their education is utilized in their professional environments.

Conversely, there are also numerous instances where graduates found themselves in roles that directly leveraged their film and media production skills. Positions like videographer, video producer, and various roles in post-production — such as editing and coordinating for major networks — reflect a strong alignment with the graduates' qualifications. For example, a significant number of individuals hold roles such as news videographer, production assistant, or editor, which undeniably require knowledge from their academic programs. These relevant positions not only validate the importance of specialized knowledge in film and photography but also highlight the potential for success within the industry for graduates who remain focused on their core skills.

Overall, while many graduates from Film-Video and Photographic Arts are often placed in jobs unrelated to their fields, they also successfully navigate to roles that directly use their education. The job market appears fragmented; it presents a blend of both fulfilling and unrelated career paths. Graduates may need to be strategic in navigating their careers to enhance the relevance of their degrees in the professional world. In conclusion, while the degree can lead to highly relevant and satisfying roles in film and photography, it also appears that many graduates may need to explore diverse job avenues that might not fully utilize their expertise.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Film-Video and Photographic Arts graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Film-Video and Photographic Arts graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When we take a look at the career trajectories of graduates in Film-Video and Photographic Arts, it’s a mixed bag. Right out of the gate, many of these graduates seem to be landing internships or entry-level positions related to media production and social media management. For example, one graduate from Minneapolis College of Art and Design started off as an intern before moving into positions that, while somewhat related, veered into pricing coordination within the retail sector. This might suggest that while they initially pursued jobs in their field, many ended up in roles that were either not directly tied to Film-Video or not as creative as they may have hoped.

If we look five to ten years down the road, there's a bit more divergence in the paths taken. Some graduates have indeed managed to climb the ladder and can be found in solid roles that align well with their degrees, like video producers, photographers, and even tech media producers. For instance, one graduate from Howard University made a fairly impressive move into post-production coordination for major streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. However, many alumni seem to drift away from the creative industries altogether, opting for careers in sales, marketing, or even entirely different fields like real estate and customer service. It can be pretty disheartening to see a number of graduates, especially from schools renowned for their arts programs, ending up in roles that don’t exploit their creative skills.

Ultimately, career paths for these graduates vary widely. While some land relevant and promising jobs in the film and media industry, others seem to struggle to find their footing, often landing in unrelated fields. There’s an undeniable trend of starting strong but not always being able to sustain that momentum in the arts. For those contemplating studying Film-Video and Photographic Arts, it would be wise to keep in mind that passion is important, but so is practical experience and networking that can bolster one’s career in an often unpredictable industry.

How hard is a Film-Video and Photographic Arts degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Film-Video and Photographic Arts is a mix of challenging and fun! It can be harder than some majors because it involves a lot of hands-on work, creative projects, and technical skills, like learning how to use cameras and editing software. You’ll spend hours working on your craft, collaborating with classmates, and often dealing with tight deadlines for assignments. That being said, if you’re passionate about storytelling through visuals and willing to put in the time, it can definitely feel more rewarding than grueling. So, while it has its tough moments, the excitement of creating something original can make the journey worthwhile!

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 Film-Video and Photographic Arts.

Do Film-Video and Photographic Arts graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the job histories of these Film-Video and Photographic Arts grads, it seems like a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. For instance, the graduate from Minneapolis College of Art and Design has steadily moved up within a company, which generally suggests a decent salary increase over time, especially in a corporate setting like Kowalski's Markets. On the other hand, some graduates, like the one from The Evergreen State College, have mostly been bouncing around barista jobs, which typically pay on the lower end of the scale. Overall, while some of these grads have secured positions that might lead to a sustainable income, others seem to be stuck in lower-paying roles, which could make it tough to feel financially secure.

Then you have folks like those from Howard University and Syracuse University who have landed roles with big media companies or in the production world, and those positions likely come with better pay. However, many entry-level positions in creative fields often start off with low pay, and it can take time to climb the ladder. So, if you’re considering a career in this field, just keep in mind that while there's potential for high earnings, it can also mean starting from the bottom. In short, there's no one-size-fits-all answer here, and your experience could vary a lot based on your specific path and opportunities that come your way.

What buzzwords do Film-Video and Photographic Arts 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 Film-Video and Photographic Arts. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Film-Video and Photographic Arts?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Film-Video and Photographic Arts (ordered by the average relevance score of their Film-Video and Photographic Arts graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count