Home
/
Career and Professional Development

Career and Professional Development

Careers in the arts

With a degree from the Cliffe College of Creative Arts, you’re opening doors to your future. Our world-class faculty produce skilled and versatile artists and scholars who are flexible, innovative leaders with global perspectives and outstanding people skills.

To be successful in the visual and performing arts, students must hone exceptional artistic and technical abilities and also develop a range of analytical, communication, and organizational skills. All academic programs in Cliffe College help students develop valuable transferable expertise. With a projected value of over $700 billion by 2028, the global arts industry provides countless career opportunities for aspiring visual and performing artists.

Employers seek out individuals who can demonstrate initiative, critical thinking, interpersonal and teamwork skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a strong work ethic. Our graduates earn a degree in an area about which they are passionate, and their skills are applicable to countless careers, including those in other professions as well as in the arts. YSU’s Cliffe College of Creative Arts will prepare you for a successful and fulfilling career.

Study of the visual and performing arts provides students with skills in:

ANALYSIS

Comparing and contrasting ideas/information
Critical thinking
Detailed and accurate work
Forming perceptions and seeing connections
Problem solving
Understanding ideas within historical/social contexts

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Adapting techniques
Attaining a high level of craftsmanship
Creativity
Interacting collaboratively with colleagues in a team setting
Project planning and management
Self-discipline
Working under pressure and meeting deadlines

COMMUNICATION

Communicating ideas creatively
Gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information
Integrating diverse ideas from others 
Making keen observations
Speaking articulately and listening introspectively

ORGANIZATION

Ability to concentrate and work intensely for long periods of time
Networking
Time management
Utilizing available resources
Working independently

"Cliffe College of Creative Arts helped me become who I am today. The education that was offered taught me new techniques on how I can spread my message to the public through art. This gave me the opportunity to secure an internship and three months later, my company gave me a full-time graphic designer position. Never doubt yourselves and have a positive attitude and you’re bound to find your place!"

Lani Ngo, B.F.A. '21, Graphic Artist for Cafaro Company

Career opportunities for creatives

The roles of creatives continue to be redefined, and artists are influencing the world in nearly every industry. This means your opportunities with a degree from Cliffe College of Creative Arts at Youngstown State University are greater than ever.

Your education gives you one of the most competitive skills in today’s job market: creativity. Combined with your abilities to approach problems with unique perspectives, collaborate with others, and think critically, you will be desirable to employers in any field you pursue. Our talented and versatile alumni become cultural influencers and entrepreneurs and are making their mark locally, nationally, and globally.