Recently, I was sitting at a district in-service session with a CEO from a corporate business. While this might sound strange, more states and school districts are adopting career readiness standards. These standards allow students to identify future pathways and career clusters to fit their interests and skill sets. School districts are relying on elective teachers to instill and transform students’ career readiness, and art plays a huge role!
There are so many skills students practice in the art room that will transfer to their workplace upon graduation from high school or college.
1. Critical Thinking
3. Technical Skills
4. Problem Solving
8. Technology Skills
As art teachers, it is our job to help students identify these skills as transferable and to name some specific careers where these skills might be used. So often, students think the only art-related career to pursue is becoming an artist. In reality, art class has the potential to fuel so many other future occupations! Often, our students don’t even know what’s out there!
This isn’t something you need to hit on during every lesson or unit you teach, but it’s important to have the discussion early and often.
You can download a copy of 60 arts related careers below to post in your classroom. It’s a great way to get the discussion going!
Besides holding honest discussions with your students, there are many other ways you can encourage students to look at artistic careers. Here are just a few.
It’s never too early to get your students thinking about the possibilities for their futures! At the elementary level, it can be as simple as naming different careers. As students get older, you can start talking with them about their unique strengths and skills and how those may come into play. Remember, discussing career options in the arts provides students the opportunity to explore all of their possibilities!
How do you approach career education in the art room?
What art careers would you add to the list?