Yes, You Can Still Find Work With A "Bachelor Of Arts" Degree

Let's dispel some myths.

It's the sad reality; ask any passer-by on the street what first comes to mind when they hear the words 'arts degree' and you're likely to hear something along the lines of 'slackers', 'hippies' or, most damning of all, ‘baristas’.

The arts have gained an unfair reputation in recent years for being an 'easy' university choice with a lack of job prospects and little societal influence and importance. Thankfully, this couldn't be more incorrect. Under the surface lie a multitude of pathways and possibilities for the more creative-minded, and they aren't as difficult to discover as it may seem.

Many assume arts students spend their days lounging around, sipping herbal teas with paintbrush in hand, while real students slave away in chemistry labs. I won’t try to pretend this is false altogether, but in reality there’s far more to it than meets the eye. What constitutes an arts degree differs from university to university, but in general terms, the major areas of study can include languages, humanities, journalism, cultural studies and, of course, a plethora of forms of art and design. Due to the breadth of its majors, career opportunities are many and varied. An arts degree can set you on the road to becoming a foreign correspondent, anthropologist, linguist, historian or an interpreter, to name a few oft-forgotten possibilities.

Not only is the scope of choice a benefit, but in recent years, job prospects have begun looking good. According to the Wall Street Journal, a 2011 study by Georgetown University’s Centre on Education and the Workforce found that the unemployment rate for Americans with a Bachelor of Arts in the first two years is just 7.8 per cent, which drops to 4.5 per cent in the ensuing years. The study also showed graduates have similar incomes to those with other degrees and an impressive amount of satisfaction with their chosen route.

More locally, a 2015 study found that 58 per cent of Australian humanities graduates had full-time employment; a greater proportion than architecture, psychology, geology and chemistry students, for example. (NB: just 68 per cent of all graduates who are able to work full time are currently employed as such, indicating that the overall employment rate of new graduates in Australia is down. So, the cliché that only arts grads suffer from unemployment doesn’t hold water entirely.)

One possible explanation for the finding that Bachelor of Arts grads are getting employment can be attributed to the shifting of desired traits by employers. No longer are they seeking a highly specific set of skills in potential candidates; rather, an ability to adapt and display resourcefulness. In a study conducted by the Association of American Colleges and University in 2013, it was discovered that a massive 95 per cent of employers had a preference for employees who displayed traits of innovation over those who simply had a degree. An arts degree, with its wide scope of learning possibilities and transferability, is a perfect choice for those who want to hone these abilities.

For those of us who are still interested in the arts yet are best suited to taking a different route, TAFE institutions all over Australia offer a broad range of courses in all the aforementioned realms and more. Degrees, awards and qualifications are all able to be claimed through TAFE, as well as there being the option to transfer to university following completion of a certain course or section of a course.

It’s also worth mentioning that an arts degree does not necessarily mean you are still doomed to a life of working under the thumb of a tyrant-like boss your entire life. Like any other career, there is plenty of potential to expand your skill set and exert your influence. With the right amount of passion and dedication, a humble beginning as a cadet at a local newspaper can lead to you becoming the editor of your own magazine. This may not even require further education or training; hard work and effort may be all that is necessary for a great leap towards success.

Despite the overwhelming evidence that studying in the arts realm can be just as rewarding as any other career path, the stereotypes still linger, which can be difficult for those whose passions conflict with the opinions of their family and friends.

If the arts are where your heart lies, I say go for it. Ultimately, it’s highly likely your future will hold far greater prospects than if you settle for a career you dislike in exchange for prestige and income.

Plus, nobody will question you for wearing ugly cardigans and dying your hair extreme colours. If that’s not a benefit, I’m not sure what is.

Eloise Parks is one of Student Edge’s student contributors. Learn more about the contributors program.

Photo: Sony.