Is creativity vital to the future of our workforce? In this deepdive we discuss the impact on universities and businesses alike.
It’s official: Covid-19 has killed the creative sector.
Or has it?
Even pre-Covid, many people have questioned the value of studying an arty, non-vocational, non-practical degree.
Subjects such as Design, Music, the Performing Arts and Fine Art are often downplayed in terms of intellectual value, with seemingly little advancement in both career and economic prospects.
But despite all this, creative industries are still the fastest growing sector of the UK’s economy, and account for 1 in 11 jobs.
In fact, according to recent government figures, creative industries contribute almost ВЈ13 million to the UK economy…
…every hour.
Oh, and creative jobs are also among the least likely to be lost to automation – since human creativity is so unique, that it can’t be replicated by robots or machines.
In fact, why not take a look at the creative graduate jobs currently on the market? You’ll see there are plenty to choose from.
If that wasn’t quite enough, there’s also the exciting fact that non-creative disciplines also require the amazing skills and mindsets of arts graduates.
Here’s further proof of why it pays to start a graduate career in the creative sector.
A study of 200 civil engineering graduates in 2016 at the University of Bath proved this point.
And if you really want to be a smug creative, those who studied Art and Design, Music or Design and Technology alongside their other subjects performed better, on average, than those students who had solely studied Maths and Science.
Robinson claims that we need to rethink our view of intelligence by taking into consideration our interdisciplinary way of seeing things. He argues that we experience the world visually, through sound and kinesthetically; our brain isn’t divided into separate compartments. Creativity, or the process of having original ideas which have value, occurs when the different parts of our brain interact.
If you’re considering this route, make sure you research each opportunity carefully, to ensure it’s really going to offer you the skills and experience you need for your chosen career path, and that the employer isn’t acting illegally.
You can take a look at graduate internship opportunities from the UK’s top employers here.
Of course, I did learn to act, but I also learnt backstage skills like costume design and set building, as well as the practical economics of running a theatre. I learnt how to research and present an argument, manage events, and communicate with the public.”
Initially, Kathryn worked at Chichester Festival Theatre, before sidestepping into the management of her new business and taking the occasional acting job.
Later, she channelled all she’d learnt about character into writing her novels.
Creativity isn’t just about writing and painting
Creativity, or the process of having original ideas which have value, occurs when different parts of our brain interact. Everyone has the potential to be creative in different ways, and in different areas. Leonardo da Vinci is a stellar example of someone who used his artistic mind to transform other disciplines… such as engineering. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers has even published the report ‘Big Ideas: The Future of Engineering in Schools’ in an attempt to rebrand the sector as a creative discipline. Sarah Spurgeon, president of the Engineering Professors Council, commented: “You need Maths and Physics to be a good engineer, but these are things we can teach and they are not all you need. We need students with the imagination to dream a better world, and the skills to build it.”
A study of 200 civil engineering graduates in 2016 at the University of Bath proved this point.
And if you really want to be a smug creative, those who studied Art and Design, Music or Design and Technology alongside their other subjects performed better, on average, than those students who had solely studied Maths and Science.
Robinson claims that we need to rethink our view of intelligence by taking into consideration our interdisciplinary way of seeing things. He argues that we experience the world visually, through sound and kinesthetically; our brain isn’t divided into separate compartments. Creativity, or the process of having original ideas which have value, occurs when the different parts of our brain interact.
What Salary Can I Expect to Earn in a Graduate Creative Career?
We’re not going to pretend that the creative sector is flush with cash. Salaries will vary vastly – partly because it’s hard to put an absolute price on creativity – and you should expect to get paid more with experience. Whilst the immediate earnings potential of arts graduates is low, in the long term they’re able to exceed the average national salary of ВЈ27,271. As a general rule, the surveys show that the average income across the sector is ВЈ33,900, with the potential to earn more depending on where you work.
If you’re considering this route, make sure you research each opportunity carefully, to ensure it’s really going to offer you the skills and experience you need for your chosen career path, and that the employer isn’t acting illegally.
You can take a look at graduate internship opportunities from the UK’s top employers here.
Creative Case study: Kathryn
If you’re looking for inspirational stories about where graduates go when they’re beyond the cosy confines of university, Kathryn Evans studied Drama… …before setting up a business which turned over millions of pounds… …before becoming an award-winning Young Adult novelist! The stakes were high, however. Kathryn’s mother was so embarrassed about her daughter pursuing a ‘Mickey Mouse’ subject at university, that she pretended Kathryn was studying English, instead. However, Kathryn credits her Drama degree for the confidence and adaptability she needed to launch a financially successful business, which eventually employed 140 people. Kathryn told us at Debut Careers: “Drama is a misunderstood subject. I learnt how to make something from nothing, to think fast and problem solve under serious pressure.
Of course, I did learn to act, but I also learnt backstage skills like costume design and set building, as well as the practical economics of running a theatre. I learnt how to research and present an argument, manage events, and communicate with the public.”
Initially, Kathryn worked at Chichester Festival Theatre, before sidestepping into the management of her new business and taking the occasional acting job.
Later, she channelled all she’d learnt about character into writing her novels.
