Performing Arts (Dance/Drama)

Over the course of your degree you develop a wide mix of subject-specific and technical skills, you should consider these skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile.

Working as a Dance Choreographer

See the full video at Careers4U 

Prospects

A 2010 HESA survey of 2009 graduates indicates that six months after completing their course, two-thirds of performing arts graduates were in employment in the UK or overseas, with a further 7% combining work and study. Of these, 23% were working in art, design and culture, while 12% were working as education professionals.

Other career areas open to performing arts graduates include retail, finance, social work, travel and tourism and marketing.

Where are the jobs?

Common employers of performing arts graduates include:

• local government;
• arts organisations;
• education institutions;
• industry;
• the National Health Service (NHS);
• leisure companies;
• voluntary organistions.

Short-term or freelance contracts, moving between different fields, generating opportunities through networking, attending auditions, collaborating with other artists and putting on your own shows are all part of a performer's lifestyle.

For an insight into more potential roles and employment areas take a look at include:

• Creative arts;
• Education;
• Retail.

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Actor
• Choreographer
• Dance movement therapist, Dramatherapist or Music therapist
• Community arts worker
• Dancer
• Secondary school teacher

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Arts administrator
• Theatre stage manager
• Broadcast presenter
• Higher education lecturer or Further education lecturer

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it's not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

You can find more about the skills you develop during your course, the jobs listed above, plus case studies and where to find these jobs at Prospects.

Included with the permission of AGCAS. For the latest version of this publication, see www.prospects.ac.uk. For permission to reproduce, contact copyright@agcas.org.uk