What can you do with an arts degree?

1. What can you do with an arts degree? Sue Holdsworth 9 October 2013

2. This afternoons’s talk will cover: • What previous Leeds Faculty of Arts graduates did. • Identify some alternatives to standard “graduate jobs”. • Identify sources of help to progress your planning • Explain how the Careers Centre can help you.

3. The DLHE Statistics • Collected 6 months after graduation. • Definitely only a snapshot. • Longitudinal survey would be more accurate – but logistical nightmare. • So, this is the best we can do……

4. Faculty of Arts : 1337 Graduates, 2012

5. Across the Faculty • Editor: Barker Books • Journalist: English speaking TV Channel, Madrid. • Team Assistant: News Interactive, BBC London. • Development Assistant: London Philharmonic. • Acquisitions Officer: Newspaper Archives, British Library. • Researcher: Explorer Publishing, Dubai. • Trainee Buyer: Zara • Fundraising Administrator: YWCA HQ. • Enforcement Officer, Environment Agency.

6. Arts Alumnii :some Careers • Simon, History: Script Editor, Yorkshire TV (2000) • Laura, Theol/RS: Product Manager, Expedia (2002) • Sarah, French: UK Marine Administrator, Lloyds Register (2003) • Hayley, Philosophy: Wedding & Event Co-ordinator Shearsby Bath (2004). • Rebecca:English, Journalist The Guardian (2004) • Nicole, Linguistics: Management, Enterprise-Rent-a-Car (2006) • Laura: English: Features Editor NME (2006)

7. Further Study • Law Conversion Course, BPP. • MSc Real Estate, University of Reading. • MA War Studies, King’s College, London. • MA Advertising & Marketing, University of Leeds. • MA Property Management. • MA English Literature, Guelph University, Ontario, Canada. • MA Development Studies. • PG Diploma in Journalism, University of Cardiff.

8. Warning: Early Closing Dates • The Civil Service Fast Stream, closes 30 November for candidates hoping to start summer 2014. Positions include: • Diplomatic Service • House of Commons Clerkships • Advertising Agencies typically open mid –September, close late November, early December

9. Major Graduate Recruiters want you • High “A” level and other entry qualification scores • Strong on communication • Able to analyse critically • Extra-curricular achievements • Creativity • Culturally aware • Check our website for all the vacancies • www.careerweb.leeds.ac.uk

10. Arts Administration • Provides support for arts and cultural events • In house: LSO, RSC, Opera North. Large enough to have devolved functions like front of house, marketing, education. • Festivals: Edinburgh, Aldeburgh, Cheltenham. • Local Authorities: Leeds has the Piano Competition, Huddersfield the Contemporary Music Week, + general encouragement for community arts. • Arts Council and Crafts Council of Great Britain • Voluntary experience essential, postgraduate course an advantage but not a necessity.

11. Social Research • Typical areas include: population structure and migration, • gender issues, transport, crime, social services. • Work for the government, Office for National Statistics, Home Office. • Political Think Tanks like Biss, Demos, de Havilland • Trade Unions • Non-profits such as National Centre for Social Research

12. Museums & Heritage Management • Curatorial: acquires, interprets, cares for artefacts to inform and educate the public. Vol. exp + pg course. • Educational: devises ways of encouraging school children to participate with exhibitions. PGCE often demanded. • Marketing: promotes the venue (V & A used for parties) and the collection and exhibitions. • Fund Raising: “Friends of…” helps buy or retain objects, sponsorship of exhibitions. PR experience often required

13. UK PR industry the most highly developed in Europe • PR’s work for government organisations, consultancies, political lobbyists, the press, high worth individuals, industry and commerce. • Growing at the rate of 17% per annum. • Three types of PR: • In-house: works for one organisation such as Procter & Gamble • Consultancy: works for a number of clients • Lobbyists: put pressure on policy makers and MP’s to adopt a particular view. Employed by NGO’s, charities, pressure groups e.g. Countryside Alliance

14. How much relevant experience do some people have? From 2007 - 2010…….. • President, Leeds University Union History of Art Society • Volunteer, Education Department, Leeds City Art Gallery • Curator, Leeds Metropolitan University Centenary Exhibition, Leeds • Delegate at The Orpheus Theme in Modern Culture Symposium, Leeds • Delegate at Association of Art Historians (AAH) Annual Conference, Belfast • Delegate at AAH V&A Career Day, London

15. More experience ………… • Secretary, Leeds University Union History of Art Society • Exhibition Co-ordinator, Northern Design Competition • Volunteer, Henry Moore Institute Archive • Volunteer, Education Department, Leeds City Art Gallery • Delegate at AAH Annual Conference at Tate Britain, London • Delegate at AAH Student Symposium, Courtauld Institute of Art, London • Delegate at AAH Student Symposium, Henry Moore Institute, Leeds

16. Even more experience… • Exhibition Assistant for Book, Craft, and Historical Societies Fairs, International Medieval Congress, Leeds University • Exhibition Co-ordinator, Northern Design Competition 2010 • Secretary, Leeds University Union History of Art Society • Volunteer, Peace and Military History Seminar Day, Centre for Heritage Research, Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington

17. And then the awards and prizes…. • Runner-up British Council International Student of the Year, Yorkshire and the Humber • (2009) • Martin Kirkby Award, School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies. • Academic attainment: First, followed by an MA in • Museum Studies. • Also worked in the Co-op and set up a Saturday Toddler’s Art Workshop.

18. Experiencefor “niche” careers • Proactive: you need to make the running • CV and covering letter • Addressed to a name if possible • Follow up with a ‘phone call • Keep pestering • Stamina, not brilliance, will win through.

19. Ways to move forwards • Alumni Mentoring Scheme: free, impartial advice from Leeds graduates • www.alumnimentoringnetwork.leeds.ac.uk • Employer presentations and workshops • www.careerweb.leeds.ac.uk (students) • Expo ‘13 13 November Parkinson Court • Career Planning Modules • Leeds for Life Involvement

20. Careers Centre • Open 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday throughout the year • Drop- in all 9.00am to 4.30pm • Well stocked Information Room • Mini Cluster • 5 – 7 Cromer Terrace (left at the end of the Clarendon Road end of the Union building) • Tel: 0113 343 5295

21. Questions?