What can you do with a Visual And Performing Arts degree?

First, some facts. Of the Visual And Performing 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 75 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 57%, Visual And Performing Arts graduates have a lower likelihood (-10%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 57%
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 30% 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 Visual And Performing Arts graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Visual And Performing Arts graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 36%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2016 from California State University San Marcos with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Visual And Performing Arts. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Customer Service Representative
Thirty Three Threads
Feb 2016 - Feb 2017
The role of Customer Service Representative does not utilize specific skills or knowledge from a degree in Visual and Performing Arts, focusing instead on general customer service tasks.

Key Accounts
Thirty Three Threads
Feb 2017 - Mar 2018
The Key Accounts position may involve some transferable communication skills and relationship management, but it is not directly tied to the core qualifications of Visual and Performing Arts.

Marketing Coordinator
Thirty Three Threads
Mar 2018 - Apr 2019
As a Marketing Coordinator, the job likely involves creative and promotional strategies that closely relate to skills acquired in Visual and Performing Arts, making it highly relevant.

Ecommerce Sales Specialist
NuFACE
May 2019 - Jan 2022
The Ecommerce Sales Specialist role may leverage some creative skills in merchandising, but it primarily focuses on sales rather than the core artistic skills from the degree.

Associate Ecommerce Account Manager
NuFACE
Jan 2022 - Jun 2022
The Associate Ecommerce Account Manager position might utilize some aspects of visual presentation and marketing knowledge, but it does not fundamentally require skills from the Visual and Performing Arts.

Program Coordinator
Aya Healthcare
Aug 2022 - Present
The role of Program Coordinator at Aya Healthcare does not relate to Visual and Performing Arts, as it centers on program management rather than artistic or creative skills.

Sr. Enterprise Coordinator
Aya Healthcare
Apr 2024 - Present
As a Sr. Enterprise Coordinator at Aya Healthcare, the responsibilities focus on organizational and administrative tasks that do not align with the core qualifications of Visual and Performing Arts.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Visual And Performing Arts degree?

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


When looking at the various job paths taken by individuals who graduated with degrees in Visual and Performing Arts, it becomes clear that there's quite a mix of relevance to their field of study. The most common types of jobs these graduates take up often straddle the lines between creative positions and roles that are more focused on general business or administrative tasks. Many graduates find themselves in roles like graphic designers, videographers, event coordinators, and teachers, which directly connect to the skills and knowledge they learned during their studies. However, a significant number also end up in positions such as sales representatives, project managers, or in hospitality services where they don’t fully utilize their artistic training.

Overall, while some individuals land jobs that are highly relevant to Visual and Performing Arts and showcase their skills, many are in roles that do not engage with their degree directly. For instance, positions like Marketing Coordinator or Operations Manager may allow for some creativity, but they are primarily centered around management or sales, often lacking the core artistic and performance skills that Visual and Performing Arts programs aim to develop. The disparity raises valid questions about how directly connected these jobs are to the educational paths the graduates embarked on. Many end up in positions where they must leverage general skills such as organization and communication rather than their specialized artistic talents.

In conclusion, if you're considering a degree in Visual and Performing Arts, it's essential to be aware that while there are exciting and relevant career opportunities in the arts, there's also a considerable risk of ending up in roles that don't fully align with your passion. Adaptability and a willingness to explore a variety of job types may be key factors in finding a fulfilling career that engages your creative training, ensuring that your education isn't just a stepping stone to unrelated fields. Ultimately, the journey may vary greatly from one graduate to another, with some carving out niche roles that blend their artistic background with the needs of various industries.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Visual And Performing Arts graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Visual And Performing Arts graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Visual and Performing Arts, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Many of these graduates seem to start with positions that are at least somewhat related to their field—such as production assistants, gallery assistants, and even freelance jobs in their artistic specialties. For many, their first jobs after graduation often include internships or entry-level roles in the arts industry, which can be a good stepping stone into the creative world. For instance, several graduates began their careers as production assistants or even gained valuable experience working in museums and theaters. This initial span of jobs appears to align fairly well with their educational backgrounds, which suggests a promising connection between what they learned and their first steps into the working world.

However, if we take a step back and look at where these individuals end up after 5 to 10 years, the landscape changes a bit. While some graduates do manage to carve out successful careers in art-related fields—becoming producers, graphic designers, or even artistic directors—many appear to drift into professions that are less related to their visual and performing arts backgrounds. For example, several graduates have found themselves in roles like project management or even completely unrelated fields such as teaching, sales, or operations. While it’s commendable that these graduates have secured employment, it might signal a larger issue regarding job availability in their desired fields or perhaps a shift in their career interests over time.

Overall, it seems that while there’s a solid start for many Visual and Performing Arts graduates, the long game is less certain. A good number hold down relevant artistic jobs in the beginning, but as time progresses, many transition into roles that could be seen as tangential or unrelated to their initial passions. This reality highlights the importance of networking, continuously developing new skills, and perhaps even reassessing career goals as they navigate the job market. So, while there’s potential there, it’s vital for these artists to remain adaptable and open to various opportunities—whether that involves sticking with their artistic roots or branching out into new areas of interest.

How hard is a Visual And Performing Arts degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Visual and Performing Arts can be a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. It’s definitely not your typical sit-in-a-classroom kind of experience; you’ll be spending a lot of time creating, rehearsing, and critiquing, which can sometimes feel really intense. If you’re naturally creative and passionate about what you’re doing, it might flow more easily, but be ready for a lot of feedback and self-directed projects that can be pretty challenging. On the flip side, if you’re devoted to your craft, you'll find it rewarding and maybe even a bit easier than traditional degrees that lean heavily on exams and theory. So, in short, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but it’s not the hardest either—it really depends on your love for the arts and how much effort you’re willing to put in!

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 Visual And Performing Arts.

Do Visual And Performing Arts graduates tend to make good money?

When we take a look at these Visual and Performing Arts graduates, we can see a pretty mixed bag of job trajectories, which makes it hard to gauge if they’re raking in the big bucks or just getting by. For example, some of the grads, like the one from California State University-Long Beach, seem to have a variety of roles in production and management, hinting at a potentially decent income, especially with positions like Audience Manager and Associate House Manager. However, others, like the University of Mississippi grad, have been in the realm of acting with fewer established roles, which can often translate to less financial stability in the gig economy of the arts. So, it really seems to depend on the specific career paths they've taken; some are likely making a solid living while others might be having to piece things together. 

On the flip side, roles like Executive Producer or positions in established companies like Nickelodeon might bring in decent salaries, likely higher than the usual server or freelance gig in this field. However, many of these grads have also taken jobs that feel more like stepping stones rather than launching pads, which can keep their earnings lower. Overall, while a few might be doing well, the arts world is pretty unpredictable, so it’s crucial to have a backup plan or a side hustle to stay financially secure. 

What buzzwords do Visual And Performing 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 Visual And Performing Arts. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Visual And Performing Arts?

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

College Score Count