What good is an Arts Degree?

starlit · 06-02-2013 12:01AM #1

Why do some employers diss Arts Degrees some and some don't? Why do others look down on it while others take it up as a degree? They can still do a postgrad in something more specific or in another discipline? Either branch out or do something different in the hope of a job.

Some people have no choice but to do further study or go into a different profession after Arts that is understandable. Going abroad for jobs is another option for the lack of jobs for Arts students.

Often or not people aren't sure what they want to do or know they want to engage with their favourite subject or teach. What's wrong with an Arts Degree compared to a more specified Bach of Science, business, engineering etc.

Does an Arts Degree not broaden the mind a bit and do subjects you like and figure out what subjects you like/don't like. You are more likely to decide on subject areas/job areas you can focus on after the degree by having touched on a variety of subjects.

Is variety not the spice of life and beneficial for making the right career choices or is it true what they say in the article from the Irish Times there are too many Arts Grads and not enough from science/computer disciplines leading to skills shortages and not enough qualified applicants? There are employers who would credit someone from Arts courses but why such harshness on those that have Arts not likely to get jobs unless they try something else and not likely to get jobs in traditional jobs any more. Which is a shame that traditional jobs are slowly going.

Then again there are jobs now that didn't exist 10 years ago and jobs that don't exist yet, can the education system prepare those for jobs that don't exist? Would it not be better to stick with traditional jobs for now until the recession lets up when ever that be or is science and technology really our future and traditional jobs be wiped out eventually which couldn't possibly happen surely, we will always need gardai, nurses, doctors and teachers.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/education/2013/0205/1224329650185.html?via=mr

Boombastic · 06-02-2013 12:03AM

doovdela wrote: »

Why do some employers diss Arts Degrees some and some don't? Why do others look down on it while others take it up as a degree? They can still do a postgrad in something more specific or in another discipline? Either branch out or do something different in the hope of a job.

Some people have no choice but to do further study or go into a different profession after Arts that is understandable.

Often or not people aren't sure what they want to do or know they want to engage with their favourite subject or teach. What's wrong with an Arts Degree compared to a more specified Bach of Science, business, engineering etc.

Does an Arts Degree not broaden the mind a bit and do subjects you like and figure out what subjects you like/don't like. You are more likely to decide on subject areas/job areas you can focus on after the degree by having touched on a variety of subjects.

Is variety not the spice of life and beneficial for making the right career choices or is it true what they say in the article from the Irish Times there are too many Arts Grads and not enough from science/computer disciplines leading to skills shortages and not enough qualified applicants? There are employers who would credit someone from Arts courses but why such harshness on those that have Arts not likely to get jobs unless they try something else and not likely to get jobs in traditional jobs any more. Which is a shame that traditional jobs are slowly going.

Then again there are jobs now that didn't exist 10 years ago and jobs that don't exist yet, can the education system prepare those for jobs that don't exist? Would it not be better to stick with traditional jobs for now until the recession lets up when ever that be or is science and technology really our future and traditional jobs be wiped out eventually which couldn't possibly happen surely, we will always need gardai, nurses, doctors and teachers.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/education/2013/0205/1224329650185.html?via=mr

Arts degree:rolleyes:

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 06-02-2013 12:05AM

Boombastic wrote: »

Arts degree:rolleyes:

Philistines :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Senna · 06-02-2013 12:05AM

A person with a degree in business says, "How can I get paid when it works?"
A person with a degree in science says, "How does it work?"
A person with a degree in philosophy says, "Why does it work?"
A person with a degree in mathematics says, "How many ways will it work?"
A person with a degree in arts says, "Would you like fries with that?"

starlit · 06-02-2013 12:06AM

That's interesting based on the different type of degrees but don't agree with the arts one!?

vicwatson · 06-02-2013 12:06AM

Arts degree?

You can go do loadsa drawing, graffiti and everything, become the new Banksie maybe

06-02-2013 12:07AM

This might be the 576 time this thread had been on or it could be the 675 time this thread has been done.. I am not sure which.

smash · 06-02-2013 12:07AM

It's good if you run out of bog roll!

Dermighty · 06-02-2013 12:07AM

Of course we have too many Arts graduates, well, Ireland had too many, now they are in Australia, Canada, etc etc.

Arts is a 3 year course, generally an honours degree (level 8). There are very, very few 3 year level 8 degrees, less so that have the variety of subjects like Arts. Arts is perfect for those who want to pursue what they like, or those who just want a degree and are not drawn to any particular field or for those who want to use it as a foundation for another qualification (ie: an LLB).

Employers don't "diss" arts degree, they simply want degrees relevant to the field of work they are recruiting for. Problem solving, analytical and critical jobs are most suited to those with degree in that field (English could well be regarded as being a suitable degree) so most employers want, for example, engineers, who have degrees in problem solving and design.

That's my view of it. People who "diss" arts degrees have no idea what they are talking about. A degree is only worth the job it can get you, and right now a lot of degree (previously somewhat prestigious degrees even) are worth nought.

Boombastic · 06-02-2013 12:09AM

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Philistines :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Career options: End of the line for traditional routes?
Teaching, journalism and the Civil Service are full of arts graduates.

I rest my case

starlit · 06-02-2013 12:09AM

An Arts Degree is one has mixture of subjects mixed into the course.

There is the other type of Degree in 'Art' that be drawing, visual stuff etc.

Banksie?

Ya I think this thread has be referred to it but I just took it out from the Irish Times article and thought was interesting.

Madam_X · 06-02-2013 12:10AM

Better than no degree - and some people enjoy it. You can always do a postgrad/another course in something more practical.

mariaalice wrote: »

This might be the 576 time this thread had been on or it could be the 675 time this thread has been done.. I am not sure which.

Yeh, and there were jokes about "fries with that" and "toilet paper" - fresh material or what?! :pac:

Celly Smunt · 06-02-2013 12:10AM

TBH i've always thought of art degrees in the light of,going to college for the sake of saying that you've been to college.However,if somebody is genuinely talented in the arts and has potential in that field,then by all means fair play to them.

judgefudge · 06-02-2013 12:11AM

As far as I can see arts degrees are alright if ya go on to do a postgrad. Or if you want to teach or something. But it's crazy the amount of people I know that went into them because they didn't know what to do. In that case you're better off taking a couple years out to work and then go back.

Rocket19 · 06-02-2013 12:11AM

People who roll their eyes at arts degrees are usually clueless as to what it involves, and have no idea of the work and independent study put in.

It's true there's lots of dossers in arts, but they're the ones dropping out after first year, and certainly aren't the ones getting firsts.

Some of the lecturers I had in arts were absolutely inspiring. So intelligent and passionate about their subject.

Some people feel the need to look down on others, even where it's not warranted. It's their problem.

PeteEd · 06-02-2013 12:12AM

lighting the fire or wiping your arse

Doc Ruby · 06-02-2013 12:13AM

smash wrote: »

It's good if you run out of bog roll!

And when you're finished wiping you have a chemistry degree! Hoho.

Ah no arts is good, that B Ark isn't going to fill itself.

I repect anyone who had the wherewithal to finish an arts degree, and I'll have fries with that.

Sorry, sorry, I'm not a midweek person.

Ruudi_Mentari · 06-02-2013 12:16AM

Who wants their musical, or visual artists or whatever to have had it schooled into em

last thing I want is another gaggle of students like arcade fire giving us their pretentious modern 'indie' pap!

Plenty of heavy metal 'degenerates' who thought themselves better theory and I didn't need to go to school to have realized an appreciation of that

somefeen · 06-02-2013 12:18AM

Artists are just as necessary as scientists and engineers.
Be pretty **** society if there was no one making visualisations of abstract thoughts or beautiful stuff.
Some people just don't get it it though.

Celly Smunt · 06-02-2013 12:19AM

somefeen wrote: »

Artists are just as necessary as scientists and engineers.

meh.

jam_mac_jam · 06-02-2013 12:20AM

Yes, what use is English, history, languages,philosophy to humans lets all do something practical so we can get a job easier.

Plenty of people with arts degrees have good jobs, plenty of people with technical or science degrees have dreadful jobs. But that is beside the point because education is not just corporate training you know, this is a silly and depressing question.

starlit · 06-02-2013 12:21AM

Dermighty wrote: »

Of course we have too many Arts graduates, well, Ireland had too many, now they are in Australia, Canada, etc etc.

Arts is a 3 year course, generally an honours degree (level 8). There are very, very few 3 year level 8 degrees, less so that have the variety of subjects like Arts. Arts is perfect for those who want to pursue what they like, or those who just want a degree and are not drawn to any particular field or for those who want to use it as a foundation for another qualification (ie: an LLB).

Employers don't "diss" arts degree, they simply want degrees relevant to the field of work they are recruiting for. Problem solving, analytical and critical jobs are most suited to those with degree in that field (English could well be regarded as being a suitable degree) so most employers want, for example, engineers, who have degrees in problem solving and design.

That's my view of it. People who "diss" arts degrees have no idea what they are talking about. A degree is only worth the job it can get you, and right now a lot of degree (previously somewhat prestigious degrees even) are worth nought.

Ya I see that point of view if you have an arts degree with a background in technology or science employers still look for those with specified IT and science degrees in Bsc. So be best off to do a postgrad in something mores specific than something too broad?

That's true a lot of those in the civil service have Arts degrees some other types.

Doesn't make sense why people who have arts degrees have to be left with doing meaningless jobs or leave the country for work.

Sure if you are to go into the gardai you do a third level course before you can get into the gardai as backup in case you don't get in or doesn't work out or you have to wait to get in, does that still stand? But with the government embargo on recruitment in the civil and public service has been downfall despite temp work.

That's true if you have a degree it stand to you to some extent. A more practical or something you interested in and job prospects are good with a specified postgrad can help but some employers still look at the Arts over the postgrad making you not employable in a field you want to pursue even with work experience and transferable skills.

Like so many people are trying to get into IT whether they have an IT background or not. While those in IT/business/Science and other areas specified seem to get interviews easier than others say or have a better chance of getting a job than those doing Arts is it that they not qualified enough despite work experience.

Pherekydes · 06-02-2013 12:21AM

A woman I used to work with asked me what I was doing in college. "Arts", said I. She asked me was I always good at art in school. :eek: :rolleyes:

06-02-2013 12:23AM

http://www.smbc-comics.com/comics/20021227-2.gif

hatrickpatrick · 06-02-2013 12:24AM

Of course, the sole and only purpose of education is to ready people to come off the assembly line and be robots. :rolleyes:

Seriously, do people honestly not see the point of doing anything that isn't simply about employment? There's more to life. The sole purpose of education is not simply to make you attractive to multinationals

The Th!ng · 06-02-2013 12:24AM

A friend of mine has a masters in fine art, he has worked in galleries in both Paris and London. He sells his own works too, an A4-sized piece would go for about €1200 - €1500. I think he is lucky to make money from something he enjoys doing.

Senna · 06-02-2013 12:25AM

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

this is a silly and depressing question.

You could always dry your eyes with your arts degree.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 06-02-2013 12:27AM

Boombastic wrote: »

Career options: End of the line for traditional routes?
Teaching, journalism and the Civil Service are full of arts graduates.

I rest my case

My point wasn't that it was only of value if it could/couldn't get you job, my point was... you're a philistine.

I rest my case.

ITS_A_BADGER · 06-02-2013 12:29AM

In this thread: people confusing an arts degree with Fine arts degree

starlit · 06-02-2013 12:29AM

She a bit narrow minded to have said that. Had she any clue?

An arts course can be just as difficult as any other course. Just 'cause its perceived as an easy course and easy to get into doesn't mean its an easy course, depends which one though. Its one of those courses you could end up in any job which is a good thing no?

jam_mac_jam · 06-02-2013 12:29AM

Senna wrote: »

You could always dry your eyes with your arts degree.

I have a Bsc and a post-grad in IT.

What good is an Arts Degree?

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