Careers Centre

What can you do with an arts degree?

Sue Holdsworth

9 October 2013

Careers Centre

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.

Careers Centre

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……

Careers Centre

Faculty of Arts : 1337 Graduates, 2012

Employment57%

Not Available7%

Unemployed3%

Further Study17%

Unknown16%

Careers Centre

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.

Careers Centre

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)

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

Careers Centre

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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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Experience for “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.

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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

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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

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Questions?