Information for Parents
You will play a big role in supporting your child’s career path. Any student will tell you how important blind faith and support from a parent is to their success.
Your attendeance at exhibits and performances can have a great impact on your child's confidence to select and excel in a career in the visual or performing arts. Any emotional support you provide to your budding artist will result in their ability to better navigate a career in the fine and applied arts—even if they eventually choose to work in another field altogether.
Being Supportive
- Support the exploration of new areas of study and interests
- Attend your emerging artist’s events and start learning the “lingo” of their chosen major/profession
- Ask questions that show your interest rather than any apprehension you might have about their potential career
- Don’t insist on an immediate career decision—expect some indecision
- Encourage your child to explore career interests through internships and informational interviews. The Career Services Office can offer suggestions tailored to their interests.
Things You Can do to Help Yourself
- Read up on on their major / profession
- Enroll in a class at the local college that is similar to what your child is studying
- Attend career events here or in your hometown
- Explore this Web site
- Call or visit this office to get more information and personal attention
Frequently asked questions
Will my child be able to find a job when he or she graduates?
The arts are very competitive, and often there is a certain amount of luck required to break in to a profession. While there are no guarantees that a degree in any field will help someone land a job, the student who is well-informed and makes the wise choices will have a better chance of finding gainful employment. This is true of both the traditional artist and the student who chooses a career outside of the arts. The earlier a student begins to actively explore careers and available jobs, the better their chances.
Will this Career Services Office find my child a job, internship or apprenticeship?
We can’t promise to find a job for anyone. But we do promise to provide resources, information and support that will make your child’s search easier and more productive.