This guide contains only a partial list of occupational titles and career fields that may be of interest to students considering an art major.  In addition to the skills and knowledge gained through your college course work in this major, you may also need to acquire career related work experience, additional work related skills and/or additional education.  Some of the occupations require an advanced degree to enter the field.

After you have identified possible occupations of interest to you, it is important to investigate the nature of work; education and training requirements; skills and special talents needed; types of employers; future trends and employment outlook related to each of these careers.  We have set up links to internet sites which provide detailed descriptions of these occupations.  You may also want to research these occupations by reading the books and literature available in the Philadelphia House Career Resource Library, by talking with individuals working in the career field and by contacting related professional associations.

This guide also provides information about obtaining related work experience including links to possible internships. However for the best information on current, local internships contact Sally Cardenas, Director of Internships and Community-Based Learning at 562-464-4533 or email her at scardenas@whittier.edu. 

Career Options

Art Related Occupations

Note: (2) refers to second information link for occupational title

Typical Employers

Advertising agencies, architectural firms, art councils, art galleries, art supply stores, auction houses, colleges and universities, furniture distributors, greeting card companies, interior design firms, magazines and newspapers, media production companies, motion picture studios, museums, performing arts organizations, public relations firms, publishing organizations, radio/TV companies, restoration organizations, and textile companies.

Liberal Arts Related Occupations (click here for more options)

Marketable Skills associated 
with an Art Major

• Originating new ideas and communicating them graphically
• Ability to conceptualize; visualizing and evaluating products before their completion
• Design products to meet the needs and tastes of others (the public)
• Ability to communicate ideas and emotions creatively
• Aptitude for spatial relationships
• Using pictures, typography and arrangement to enhance written messages and promote the sale of goods, services and ideas
• Creating a picture to capture an idea or event

Sources of Career Information

Career Information Links

• Art Information Links
• Links to Professional Associations 

Employment Information Links

• Art Employment
• Communication & Entertainment Employment
• General Employment Links

Getting Career Related 
Work Experience

To be competitive in today's job market and to improve your qualifications for graduate school, gaining career related work experience while you are a college student is very important.

Career related work experience can include various forms of paid and volunteer experience (i.e. internships, some work study positions, summer or part-time jobs in your career field of interest, possibly fellowships, and some volunteer positions)  A few of these listings are described on the following link:

Art Related Internships

Art and Graduate School Resources

General Graduate School Resource Links

Art Program Links