27 what TF to do W an arts degree

[arbie5788]

In the title. At a crossroads it feels - not sure what to do with myself to make $$$

 

[choklitbean]

@arbie5788 Just wanted to chime in and say that despite probably feeling like you’re behind or have wasted time etc, you’re not alone

Ive got a bachelors and a masters (at… great HECS expense) that I no longer work in the same field/industry as.

Starting from scratch in a new field in my 30s obviously wasn’t the plan, but Im happier for it.

If you don’t have a solid idea of what you’d like to do (again, super normal imo) Id suggest doing some of that good old fashioned looking inward.

What do you enjoy? I mean on a higher level, eg for me this boiled down to ‘I enjoy solving problems, but not the exact same problems repeatedly’.
What are your strengths?
What have you disliked about previous/current roles?

Talk things out with your partner and friends for their insight. Maybe even a counsellor/psych if you need.

Lastly its perfectly fine to have ‘just a job’. Whether it’s while you figure out your true calling, or as a career. Sometimes, a lot of the time, a job is simply a way to fund the life you want to live outside of it.

Best of luck reddit stranger, you got this

 

[youngdad98763]

@choklitbean All of this.

 

[resjudicata]

@choklitbean Great advice

 

[laura1084]

@arbie5788 A good question to ask... before doing the degree.

 

[wini]

@arbie5788 You can work in public service either at a state government level or for the federal government.

 

[needheaven]

@arbie5788 Depending on how long ago you got your degree, Grad programs are always an option with the big four consultancy firms as well as various branches of Government.

You can also try applying for professional positions in the University sector.

Otherwise one could retrain with a Graduate Diploma to become a School Services Officer or a Disability Support Worker or... a number of things.

Arts degrees aren't plain awful and can be stepping stones into some professions which require broad cultural and social understanding.

Hard to give better suggestions without knowing your majors.

 

[paulden]

@needheaven Yeah a niche grad cert could have you setting up a consultancy in 6 months.

 

[swordofthespirit7]

@arbie5788 I remember first week at the uni i went to i had to use the mens room and above the toilet roll dispenser was the grafiti “bachelor of arts please take one”.

Made me laugh but at the end of the day anyone can be successful, regardless of degree, depending on a host of factors, drive determination, luck, who you know etc etc

 

[avalonforhim]

@swordofthespirit7 Oldie but a goodie.

 

[midnghtangel]

@avalonforhim the other classic is: 'what did the arts degree say to the law degree?' 'Do you want fries with that?'

 

[resjudicata]

@arbie5788 As someone who didn’t go to uni, I’m always amazed that so many people get a degree (at considerable expense) with no clear plan as to what they will do with it.

It’s like they just go because they can’t think of anything else to do and they get to delay their adult lives for a few more years before anyone will hold them accountable.

 

[manutd]

@resjudicata

It’s like they just go because they can’t think of anything else to do and they get to delay their adult lives for a few more years before anyone will hold them accountable.

this was me. but with the encouragement of my parents. We do because we're told that's what we are meant to do and nobody gives us any guidance to tell us there's a different path. When I finished high school in 2004 there wasn't the same readily available info on the Internet, and my parents and a lot of people's parents kind of looked down upon the idea of not going to university.

I really wish I never did. I wish I got a trade right out of high school.

 

[arbie5788]

@resjudicata Bingo, exactly this

 

[chrisscan87]

@arbie5788 Lol @ this whole thread. People seem to forget that uni isn’t just about getting a job. It’s about LEARNING - that’s why it’s apart of the education system! Some people just like learning and that shouldn’t be looked down on.

Doing an arts degree is valuable, because your critical thinking skills/writing skills/social skills equip you to do almost any role in any organisation.

Sure, there are roles that require specific knowledge sets - like law or medicine - but the reality is that most orgs are filled with roles that you don’t need a specific degree to do. It’s just about learning on the job and working well with others

My advice is to NOT go back to uni but focus on getting a job either in an industry you’re interested in or has a workplace culture that allows you to grow and try different things - a start up, for example, could be helpful, because they like people who take initiative and are comfortable with doing things they haven’t done before.

Don’t focus on picking the right thing - just start by picking something and you’ll learn/grow from there.

 

[jh9395]

@arbie5788 Do a 2nd degree with marketable skills

 

[bennylovegod]

@arbie5788 Honestly, if you're not cut out for STEM i'd say do an apprenticeship. Probably electrical. All the guys i went to school with that weren't academic are doing great, running businesses, or well paid. Those that were academic went on to law and engineering and are doing great. Those in the middle seemed to end up with wishy washy degrees with no path forward. A lot still work in relatively unskilled roles on low pay.

 

[lawblr]

@arbie5788 OP, I'm an arts graduate. I did it because I wanted to get into journalism, and didn't make the cut for RMIT's specialist course. I worked for a number of outlets (none really major) before getting into bid management for about 10 years - it's a good niche as there's not many specialists and it's part of almost all sales plays at the higher end. I've moved into customer success since then for a software company and the role is promoting our best customers via stories or connecting them with prospects. I have a really flexible work/life balance (which is gold when you have kids) and clear 150k+.

Arts grads are the butt of many jokes but it's just a piece of paper - your critical thinking skills are valuable and can take you many places you might not consider.

 

[ilovethelord4564564]

@arbie5788 Look for generalist work where they want people who can think broadly and write persuasively. Policy work is one example - in some areas it can be more important to be able to harness expertise and come up with credible options than try to be expert in a multitude of areas.

 

[gragori]

@arbie5788 Dont listen to the noise. Arts degree holders generally have better writing and analytical skills. You can also do plenty of crossover business/science subjects within an arts degree.

What was your major?