Careers in the Arts, Entertainment, and Design cluster are diverse, but share the opportunity to tell unique stories, inspire and entertain people, and influence broader culture. Variety, flexibility, and creativity are also hallmarks of work in this field.
A blend of creative and technical skills supports the work of this cluster, gained through formal education or hands-on experience. Internships, freelance projects and personal work can help build a portfolio of work for job applications and networking.
Important fundamental skills include attention to detail, problem solving, communication, and collaboration. Technical skills include digital animation and graphic arts, event production, design and media production, sound and light engineering, painting, directing, writing and editing, and more.
To work as an artist such as a photographer, actor, sound engineering technician, dancer, floral designer, or public address announcer requires experience in the discipline, along with a high school diploma.
Careers requiring an associate’s degree or technical certificate include makeup artists, camera operators, technical writers, broadcast technicians, and desktop publishers.
Fields that often require more advanced training or a bachelor's degree include film and video editors, copywriters, choreographers, directors, broadcast news analysts and reporters, musicians, composers, graphic designers, fashion designers, audio and video equipment technicians, and art directors.
Is a career in Arts, Entertainment and Design for you? Keep these points in mind:
- Jobs are often filled through personal referrals, so networking and managing one’s own business interests is vital.
- A major reward in this industry is seeing a final product of effort, such as a completed web site or video game, a podcast, play, or song produced, a painting or dance.
- Resilience and perseverance are essential characteristics for a long-term career, given challenges such as intense competition for some jobs, and clients or audiences who may not appreciate your unique style or vision.
- Hiring tends to be short-term, freelance, or project-based leading to potential income instability between projects.
- For those with a passion for the arts, getting paid for doing work that they love is a dream come true.
Whatever your career direction, you can find options that fit. Keep exploring at CareerOneStop.org/ExploreCareers
