Spotlight on Arts

Arts degrees get a bad rap, usually from people who see education as a means to an end (ie only useful if it leads directly to a job) rather than an opportunity to grow and become a more rounded person (which others would argue makes you more valuable to employers anyway). Let’s take a deeper look into what an Arts degree actually is and what subjects you can study within the course.

So what is Arts?

Arts degrees cover a wide range of subjects, so two people with Arts degrees can have very different experiences. You can study everything from languages to philosophy, psychology, geography, business law, journalism and more.

The theme throughout the different subjects is really about exploring ideas, so Arts degrees are about understanding things from different perspectives, and giving you the knowledge you need to dive deep into the topics. improving your communication and problem solving skills.

There are often opportunities for travel and other experiences within an Arts degree to further your learning in a particular area.

Where can an Arts degree take me?

This is where lots of people struggle with Arts degrees. If you get a Bachelor of Engineering you become an Engineer. If you get a Bachelor of Laws you become a solicitor or a barrister. Because Arts has such a broad range of subjects, it’s not as straightforward to say what you will become at the end of it, but the reality is that the possibilities are endless for those who are passionate about what they have studied.

Depending on your major, you could become a teacher and inspire the next generation of students. You could become a writer, journalist, editor or publisher. You could work in the media, in government agencies, or in the corporate world in areas such as marketing, management or advertising. You could work with any number of organisations translating and interpreting, as well as changing policies on things such as social justice, human rights and international relations. 

While the pathway to the career might not be as direct as other degrees, if you study something you’re passionate you will be able to network with others and move through a broad range of very interesting jobs throughout your career. The people I know who did Arts degrees are amongst the happiest in terms of their job satisfaction as they explore different opportunities (and also create opportunities for themselves).

What else should I consider?

If you’re concerned about your career direction after completing an Arts degree, or if you understand the importance of the skills that an Arts degree can give you to support you across all careers, then you might like to consider a double degree. That way, you keep your options open but have something more “solid” as well to give you more confidence. Arts degrees work well with any number of other options such as Commerce or Business, Law, Science and Education and will give you an edge on others in those fields in terms of your ability to problem solve, communicate your ideas and see things from a range of perspectives.

There are also some more specific courses available now such as a Bachelor of Global or International Studies, Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics, Bachelor of Criminology or a Bachelor of Communication, so make sure you search for these options as well in your area of interest when you’re doing you research.