<p>Last semester I realized I was really passionate about art history, but my parents are having a hard time endorsing my decision to switch my major. Their biggest concern is that it doesn't lead lineally to a career. I have previously interned at a museum, and told them I thought a museum would be a nice place to work, and they still pressed on about how museum jobs "are so hard to get." </p>
<p>My question is, what kind of careers am I looking at as an art history major other than academia/curatorial work?</p>
<p>I am a journalism major because I enjoy writing and politics. My parents were comfortable with my ambition to become a political journalist. The switch has them worried that I am “wasting” my writing talent.</p>
<p>I found that while I enjoy writing, I don’t really enjoy news writing. There are many other reasons why this major was a poor choice for me. In fact, speaking of joblessless, I am often reminded - in journalism school - that the industry is a sinking ship. My parents aren’t concerned about this because I am at one of the nation’s top journalism schools with supposed “connections” to the industry. However, in this dire climate for journalism, I still doubt the strength of this program and the security of my choosing a major that locks me into a career. (A career that I am finding myself less and less excited about.)</p>
<p>The truth is, if I were more passionate about the work I’m doing, I wouldn’t doubt this choice so much. I enjoy art history so much more, as it combines important topics (historical trends, culture, politics) and examines them through an artistic/visual lens, which I find fascinating. I have always enjoyed more academic, writing-intensive, humanities classes compared to my journalism classes, which are more technical skills/training-based.</p>
<p>Honestly, I would expect your parents to be nervous about journalism. With newspapers, magazines and weeklys going the way of the dodo. And honestly, does online journalism (like blogs) really pay bills?
Few things to consider
Do you plan on going to graduate school? If so, majoring in art history is nothing, just the first step.</p>
<p>If not, several directions you can go for jobs.<br>
• If you are into contemporary art you can go into gallery work. You will hafta start low man on the totem poll (usually sales/receptionist/front desk type), but you can usually begin that part time when still in school to improve your resume by the time you graduate.
• There is also museum education. Jobs are little frozen right now, but you are clearly not a senior if you are thinking of changing majors. Museum education includes all periods of art history.
• Another option is arts administration. These are all those administrative/organization people who help run theatres, arts foundations and what not. Usually, these non-for-profits want people with a strong background in the arts (like art history) over thoses with pure BAs in business and no art knowledge.
• Lastly you can always use art history skills to get any job. Art history is unique in that every person basically admires the field as a challenging and academic liberal arts. Many see art history majors as strong writers with analytical and strong visual skills. Also, most people who go to college have taken at least 1 art history class and know that the major is most definately not a cake walk.</p>
<p>It is often a joke that AH leads no where. But if you plan on living in an urban space, you should have no issues finding a job.</p>
<p>Well, people’s majors don’t have to relate to their careers. A major is more of a certification that you went through a university and did something, signaling some competence. In some fields, like engineering, your major actually directly helps, although even in that case you have to learn most of your stuff in the work arena.</p>
<p>My aunt majored in Art History, and later went back and became a doctor. <em>shrug</em> I don’t think you have to do that, but Art History jobs aren’t the easiest to get either. It doesn’t mean you can’t do anything with it though- and it’s certainly better off than print journalism, at this point.</p>