Career and Professional Development

Careers in the visual arts

Our world-class faculty in the Department of Art produce skilled and versatile artists and scholars who are flexible, innovative leaders with global perspectives and outstanding people skills. To be successful in the visual arts, students must hone exceptional artistic and technical abilities and also develop a range of analytical, communication, and organizational skills. All academic programs offered in the department help students develop valuable transferable skills. With an estimated value of nearly $70 billion, the global visual art industry provides countless career opportunities for aspiring artists.

Employers seek out individuals who can demonstrate initiative, critical thinking, interpersonal and teamwork skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a strong work ethic. Our graduates earn a degree in an area about which they are passionate, and their skills are applicable to many careers, including those in other professions as well as in the arts.

Study of the visual arts provides students with skills in:

Analysis

  • Comparing and contrasting ideas/information
  • Critical thinking
  • Detailed and accurate work
  • Forming perceptions and seeing connections
  • Problem solving
  • Understanding ideas within historical/social contexts

Communication

  • Communicating ideas creatively
  • Gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information
  • Integrating diverse ideas from others 
  • Making keen observations
  • Speaking articulately and listening introspectively

Interpersonal Skills

  • Adapting techniques
  • Attaining a high level of craftsmanship
  • Creativity
  • Interacting collaboratively with colleagues in a team setting
  • Project planning and management
  • Self-discipline
  • Working under pressure and meeting
    deadlines

Organization

  • Ability to concentrate and work intensely for long periods of time
  • Networking
  • Time management
  • Utilizing available resources
  • Working independently

Career opportunities for creatives

The roles of creatives continue to be redefined, and artists are influencing the world in nearly every industry. This means your opportunities with a degree from Department of Art at Youngstown State University are greater than ever. Your education gives you one of the most competitive skills in today’s job market: creativity. Combined with your abilities to approach problems with unique perspectives, collaborate with others, and think critically, you will be desirable to employers in any field you pursue. Our graduates successfully establish careers in numerous professions, such as:

  • App Developer
  • Animation Artist
  • Art Director
  • Art Educator
  • Art Therapist
  • Arts Administration
  • Brand Specialist
  • Ceramicist
  • Concept Artist
  • Costume Designer
  • Creative Director
  • Design Consultant
  • Digital Artist
  • Editor
  • Entertainment Attorney
  • Entrepreneur
  • Furniture Designer
  • Graphic Designer
  • Illustrator
  • Interior Designer
  • Landscape Designer
  • Merchandising Analyst
  • Museum Curator
  • Painter
  • Photographer
  • Printmaker
  • Product Designer
  • Resident Artist
  • Sculptor
  • Set Designer
  • Stylist
  • UX/UI Designer
  • Videographer

Where our alumni work

Our faculty produce well-rounded, skilled artists and scholars who are flexible, innovative leaders with global perspectives and outstanding people skills. Our talented and versatile alumni become cultural influencers and entrepreneurs and are making their mark locally, nationally, and globally. Here are a few of the many places Department of Art graduates work:

  • Amazon

  • American Greetings

  • Apple

  • Artix Entertainment

  • Art Institute of Chicago

  • Bank One Corporation

  • Bath & Body Works

  • Canon Solutions American

  • Carnegie Mellon University

  • Coca-Cola

  • Converse
  • Dartmouth College

  • Delphi

  • DORÉ

  • DreamWorks Animation

  • ESPN

  • Hallmark Cards

  • Hobby Lobby

  • JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  • MCF Architecture

  • Michael Kors

  • Microsoft

  • Nationwide Insurance
  • NBX Los Angeles/KNBC-TV

  • Palantir Technologies / Comedy Central

  • Rutgers University

  • Siemens

  • Southwest Airlines

  • Toyota University of Chicago

  • The Walt Disney Company

  • The Weather Channel

  • University of Pittsburgh

  • USAA

  • Verizon

  • Vitamix

Next steps

YSU Office of Career Exploration and Development
Jones Hall, Room 2022
330.941.3515
oced@ysu.edu

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