The Student Room Group

Creative subjects at university

Hi,

I hear a lot of people saying that more creative degrees like arts, textiles etc are unemployable and that most grads end up in dead end jobs. Is this true? I’ve always wanted to pursue a more creative career but my family have always discouraged me from it - I’ve realised that I’m not passionate about anything else but I’m scared about having to live in very low wages and such, and that I wouldn’t be talented enough. Can anyone that’s graduated with a creative degree tell me anything about this?

Thank youuu
Original post by Very_confused
Hi,

I hear a lot of people saying that more creative degrees like arts, textiles etc are unemployable and that most grads end up in dead end jobs. Is this true? I’ve always wanted to pursue a more creative career but my family have always discouraged me from it - I’ve realised that I’m not passionate about anything else but I’m scared about having to live in very low wages and such, and that I wouldn’t be talented enough. Can anyone that’s graduated with a creative degree tell me anything about this?

Thank youuu


don’t waste your time or money with a creative degree, it’s not sustainable.

do something that will guarantee employment after
Original post by Very_confused
Hi,

I hear a lot of people saying that more creative degrees like arts, textiles etc are unemployable and that most grads end up in dead end jobs. Is this true? I’ve always wanted to pursue a more creative career but my family have always discouraged me from it - I’ve realised that I’m not passionate about anything else but I’m scared about having to live in very low wages and such, and that I wouldn’t be talented enough. Can anyone that’s graduated with a creative degree tell me anything about this?

Thank youuu


Hi Very Confused,


I know that the design industry is not as known to be something your family might want to get you in. As a design student myself I was once unsure but once you get the right advice and talk to people that are already in the creative industry you see things differently. it's sad to see that many people are unaware that the creative industry is one of the biggest growing industries. there are many jobs that you are able to specialise in once you finish a creative degree. If the creative route is something you are passionate about then I would advise you to go for it.

Have you heard of Ravensbourne? We are an industry focused design and digital media university sector college. We have an excellent 95.3% employability rate and are taught by experienced staff and industry experts. Ravensbourne provides free Adobe package and there is tons of opportunity to collab with other students and work on external and live projects.

If you haven't already, do look at our website. Our students get to work on live projects with big clients and this gives you the experience you need when going into the creative industry, there are always great opportunities around the college for students.

We have open days so that you can talk to our staff and students from different courses to give you a better understanding of the creative degrees. we have summer workshops that you could attend, They will help you get a better idea of what the creative courses offer. We are located in London so if you are able to come to one I would highly recommend it.

I hope this was helpful and good luck with everything,

Katy :h:
Original post by Very_confused
Hi,

I hear a lot of people saying that more creative degrees like arts, textiles etc are unemployable and that most grads end up in dead end jobs. Is this true? I’ve always wanted to pursue a more creative career but my family have always discouraged me from it - I’ve realised that I’m not passionate about anything else but I’m scared about having to live in very low wages and such, and that I wouldn’t be talented enough. Can anyone that’s graduated with a creative degree tell me anything about this?

Thank youuu


Hi there

I am in my 3rd year on placement having just worked with IKEA as an Interior Designer, I would definitely 100% disagree that having a creative career means you wont be employed and will have a low wage. Doing a degree in Graphics, Product Design, Fashion and Interior Design etc gives you an invaluable skill set that can not only be transferred between each of those disciplines but also across Marketing, Strategy, Advertisement, Writing and much more. I myself have managed to get a number of part time jobs, being a marketing assistant and journalist, which is just living proof of that. Being a creative person gives you a massive upper hand to a lot of people because your mind thinks in a different way and that is really valuable. Things that seem obvious to you and ideas you have aren't actually that obvious to others.

In fact both Product design and Interior design host a national event that almost every university with those courses attends in London every year where employers look at work and network with students who are about to graduate. If you want look up 'Free Range' for Interior Design and 'New Designers' for Product Design, these are the names of the exhibitions. People I know have been nominated for awards from firms with leading ideas like Dyson and John Lewis just from that exhibition. It is such an exciting industry that is at the forefront of the future. Pretty much everything we see has been designed and our ever day life experiences are shaped by architects and Interior Designers! Yes they design the building we live and the shops we shops at!

So I would not listen to anyone who thinks little of a creative career. And especially if it is something you are passionate about you will do well.

Is there a particular area you are interested in?

Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any more questions :smile:

Chandni

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