Why employers are seeking Art and Design graduates

When it comes to graduating from University, one of the biggest tasks is securing employment in your chosen field. For creative students, this task can seem daunting as the job title ‘Artist who likes to use clay’ doesn’t quite exist.

But what many Art and Design graduates don’t realise is that they’re some of the most employable people in the job market. A creative skill is not a standalone attribute; it comes with many other qualities that employers seek.

Adaptability

Many creative students are incredibly adaptable. They are given a certain amount of time to complete a project; however, unlike most vocations, there isn’t a Ctrl+Del option when it comes to painting on a canvas. Being able to adapt to a new situation and ‘think on your feet’ is something many employers are searching for.

Lateral thinking

As a creative, the right side of your brain tends to dominate over the left. Colourful, full of ideas, and excitement with reality and logic barely restricting your thought process, can be a tremendous asset to employers. Lateral thinking is engrained into artistic individuals; it also allows them to solve problems and create solutions that no ‘left-minded person’ would think of.

Tenacity

The benefits of having a tenacious employee are clear; someone who can be relied upon to get the job done. Artists tend to set themselves huge tasks of grand scale, wanting to create a showstopper that takes everyone’s breath away. The motivation that a tenacious employee has, to always do better and be better, makes for a very efficient and productive member of staff.

Art students also have many soft skills, such as good communication and confidence; both are key attributes many employers seek to add to their business. Orlaith Tunney from the TCD Career Advisory Service says: “The independent study of the arts helps build resilience to deal with a rapidly changing world, the versatility and non-vocational nature of research is directly applicable to the world of work.”