Creative Jobs: Where to Work Before and After Earning an Arts and Design Degree

If your creative side is bursting to find a home in the working world, then rest assured that there are many good-paying jobs that require your services. Fashion and interior design, copy writing, Web design, and photography all are options for workers with strong creative skills.

For creative people who have yet to earn bachelor's or master's degrees, there are many different ways for you to get a foot in the door of your chosen industry while you complete your education.

Jobs for Creative Workers Pursuing College Degrees

Fashion Designer: One of the best ways to learn the business is to intern at a design or manufacturing firm. Other avenues for experience include working in retail stores or landing a job helping out a personal stylist or tailor. These jobs can help polish customer service and marketing skills, as well as build an eye for hot and fashionable styles.

Interior Designer: Most entry-level jobs in this field require post-secondary education, although it is possible to land an internship at design or architectural firms while attending college--good employers recognize good talent. Another avenue--working as an in-store designer, or at a furniture store.

Photographer: Many positions in this field require bachelor degrees, but entry-level jobs include interning at a local newspaper, or working at a camera retail store--both places can advance the skills of aspiring photographers while they complete their college degrees.

Creative Careers After You Earn Your Bachelor's or Master's Degree

Once you have completed your college degree program, your choices for finding viable employment in a creative job are much greater.

Fashion Designer: Designers with a degree and advanced career training find work as full-time fashion designers, making new clothing and patterns. Many designers find tenure with different types of apparel manufacturers, or with wholesale retailers. Many are self-employed.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fashion designers in 2009 earned median annual wages of almost $65,000, while more experienced and well-established designers took in more than $130,000 per year. 

Interior Designer: Once interior designers have completed their education, they often find full-time employment at design studios and architectural firms. Many choose to work in landscape architecture, while others find employment at furniture or home furnishing stores. Others choose to work as consultants or freelancers--often while holding employment within the industry.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, interior designers brought in about $46,000 per year on average in 2009, but the top percentile earned more than $83,000 per year. 

Photographer: Many photographers find employment at magazines or newspapers, but be forewarned that the bigger publications typically hire photographers who have spent many years polishing their skills and building their portfolios at junior publications. Other photographers find employment at advertising agencies, or as freelancers, selling their work to various media outlets.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, photographers earned median salaries approaching $30,000 in 2009, but the top 10 percent earned more than double that amount.