What can I do with a Degree in Drama ?
Careers and Employability Service
Nicola Urquhart Careers Adviserwww.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm
What we will cover
• The graduate labour market
• What do employers want?
• What skills do Drama graduates have?
• What do Drama graduates do:
the jobs they get
their typical employers
the further courses they study
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm
The graduate labour market in 2013
• Approximately 30% - 40% of vacancies are open to graduates with a degree from any discipline
• Employers increasingly focusing on professional attributes in addition to transferable skills
• Relevant work experience increasingly important
• Need for students to think earlier about their employability
• Employers are expecting to increase their graduate recruitment by 2.7% in 2013
What do employers want?
Degree awarded at 2.1 or above
Employability skills
Extra-Curricular Activities
Professional attributes
Work Experience
Commercial Awareness
What skills do Drama students have?
• confidence;
• self-presentation;
• teamwork and collaboration;
• time management and organisational skills;
• self-awareness;
• self-discipline;
• an open mind and the ability to move beyond boundaries and experiment with different ideas;
• communication skills;
• analytical, critical and research skills;
• the ability to cope with criticism and learn from it;
• stamina.
What is a career?
• Career choice is not an event or occasion
• Career choice is a process
Jobs directly related to your degree
Careers related to Drama
• Actor
• Arts administrator
• Community Arts Worker
• Drama teacher
• Dramatherapist
• Journalist
• Librarian, Special/Academic
• Media Planner
• Presenter TV/Radio
• Programme Researcher
• Stage manager
• Teacher
• Television Production Assistant
• University/Further Education Lecturer
Jobs that are not directly related to your degree
Many employers value the skills you have gained more than the subject
Many options open to you!
• NHS Management
• Human Resources
• Advertising
• Production Management
• Public Relations
• Publishing
• Purchasing
• Retail
• Social Work
• TEFL
• Teaching
Researching Careers• http://www.prospects.ac.uk/dramatherapist_job_descr
iption.htm http://www.prospects.ac.uk/theatre_manager_vacancy_sources.htm
• Overview of the sector
• Job descriptions
• Salary and conditions
• Entry requirements
• Training
• Career development
• Employers and vacancy sources
• Related jobs
Graduate Schemes www.kent.ac.uk/careers/graddirectories.htm
• www.prospects.ac.uk
• www.get.hobsons.co.uk
• www.targetjobs.co.uk
• www guardianuk300.com
• www.top100graduateemployers.com
• www.kent.ac.uk/ces/vacancies.html
Example Graduate Schemes• Accenture
• Aldi
• Arcadia
• BAE Systems
• BBC
• Bloomberg
• British Sugar
• Cancer Research UK
• Deliotte
• DFID
• Diageo
• Ernest & Young
• EU Careers
• IBM
• L’Oreal
• Mars
• McDonalds
• MI5
• National Grid
• Penguin
• TeachFirst
• BBC
Example Graduate scheme (Bloomberg )
• Finance
• IT
• Media
• Sales
Princess Productions & Shine TV
• To apply to the Graduate Researcher Scheme, please email
• or post your CV, a photo, and a clever original idea for a new
• television series to:
• Closing Date 28th June 2013
Example graduate scheme
• Engineering
• Finance
• General Management
• Human Resources
• IT
• Marketing
• Sales
Postgraduate Study
• Approx 15%. of Drama graduates do PG study after graduation
• MA taught – 1 year Sept to June – lectures, June to Sept – dissertation.
• Research MA 1 to 2 years – often part-time
• PhD – 3 years. Nearly always a MA first.
• PGCE (teacher training) 1 year:
• See www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate study is not essential but is a useful way of gaining more skills, experience and contacts. Entry is competitive and courses are intensive. A number of institutions offer a one-year MA/Postgraduate Diploma in Acting, or there are summer schools or short courses focusing on a particular element of acting, e.g. accent and dialogue coaching, stage combat, Shakespeare. Look for courses accredited by the National Council for Drama Training (NCDT) and The Conference of Drama Schools. There is some funding available via Dance and Drama Awards and possibly through the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), but fees and maintenance costs during study can be considerable. Contact individual institutions for details.
Postgraduate study
• Not much funding available for MA. Fees are about £5,000. At Kent get £1,000 graduate school scholarship reduction
• Many students work for a year to fund it or do it part-time whilst working
• Consider vocational MA – journalism, publishing, HR, Media Production etc.
• Normally apply middle of final year. No UCAS can apply to as many course as you wish to – 3 or 4 is normal
Study Abroad
• Many postgraduate courses are now taught in English, especially in the Netherlands and Scandinavia
• No course fees in Sweden and about £1,000 in Germany and Denmark
• See www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm#PGAbroad
Being Successful
• Most people find a job in the creative industries by word of mouth: the more people you know in the industry the better your chances
• Market Yourself ! - It’s not necessarily who you know but who knows you
Using Social Media to Job Search
• Follow organisations, @SkillsetSSC, @ace_national, @dramauk , @EdinburghTVFest
• Follow @unikentemploy
• Follow @unikentces
• Get industry updates
• www.twitjobsearch.com
• Remember everything is public
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• ‘Like’ company pages
• ‘Like’ https://www.facebook.com/UKCES
• Is your profile professional enough?!
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• www.linkedin.com
• Search for jobs.
• Use key words in your profile.
• Follow companies.
• Connect with people in the industry.
• Join relevant groups.
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What do Drama graduates do?
In broad terms (recent destinations)
• Employment 80%
• Further Study 15%
• Not available 3%
• Seeking employment 2%
Typical Employers (a selection) • Arts Organisations: Arts Council England, British Film
Institute
• Advertising: Saatchi@Saatchi, WPP
• Broadcasting organisations: BBC, Channel 4, ITV , SKY,
• Civil Service Departments/Agencies: DFID, HR Fast Strean
• Media Production Companies, Shine, Time Warner, Shedmedia
• Museums & Heritage organisations: V&A
• Publishing Companies: Random House, Penguin, Conde Naste
• Theatres: National Theatre, Traverse
• Schools, Colleges, Universities: TeachFirst
Useful resources
• BBC Academy http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/collegeofproduction/collections/job_profiles
• Get into Theatre http://getintotheatre.org/ http://getintotheatre.org/case-studies http://getintotheatre.org/jobs-opportunities/details/4396
• Creative Skillset http://www.creativeskillset.org/
• Arts Council England http://www.artsjobs.org.uk/
Useful websites ( a selection)• www.thestage.co.uk/recruitment/
http://www.playboxtheatre.com/aboutus/Jobs.html
• www.grapevinejobs.com http://www.grapevinejobs.com/mediajobs/40342,Promotions_Internship_Paramount_Pictures.html
• www.creative-choices.co.uk http://www.creative-choices.co.uk/jobs-opportunities/details/4440
• www.artsjobsonline.com/jobseeker/jobseeker_jobs.asp
Employment examplesTHEATRE - RELATED
Bill Kenright - Assistant Producer
Creation Theatre Company - Technical Stage Manager
Glyndebourne Productions Ltd - Box Office Customer Service Administrator
Glyndebourne Productions - Education Assistant
Gulbenkian Theatre - Marketing Assistant
Hamilton Hodell - Assistant to Actor's Agent
Lyceum Theatre - Theatre Administrator
New Wimbledon Theatre - Assistant Stage Manager
Polka Theatre - Communications Officer
Roundhouse Studios - Lighting Technician
Royal Court Theatre - Stage Management Intern
Royal Shakespeare Company - Dresser
Symphony Hall - Marketing Assistant
Tell Me a Tale - Drama Workshop Facilitator
Theatre Company - Dramaturge
Theatre Royal - Projects Co-ordinator
Theatre Royal Brighton - Marketing Officer
The Barbican - Marketing Assistant
The Engine Shed Lincoln - Technical Crew
The Marlowe Theatre Development Trust - Fundraising Campaign Assistant
Warford Palace Theatre - Administrator
Employment examplesMEDIA - RELATED
AMA Consultancy - Events Co-ordinator
Avalon TV Productions - Production Runner
BBC Children in Need -Team Assistant; HR Assistant; Runner: Post Production
Blackwell Publishing - Editorial Assistant
Chapters Digital TV Ltd - Production Assistant
Donmar Warehouse Theatre - Office Administrator
Editworks (TV Post Production) - Runner/Assistant
Emerald Publishing - Assistant Editor
Film London - Receptionist
Flare PR - PR Account Executive
Fusion Post Production (TV) - Runner
GE Fabbri - Editorial Assistant
IPC Media - Advertising Executive
ITV plc - Compliance Administrator
National Magazine Co - Editorial Executive
Oxford University Press - Journals Production Editor
Penguin Publishing - Picture Researcher
Rod Hall Agency - Assistant Literary Agent
Round Midnight Ltd - Arts Worker
Street PR - Contract Manager
Tatler Magazine - Fashion Journalist
The Independent - Intern Advertising & Editorial Assistant
Tiger Aspect Productions - Comedy Runner
Treasury Today - Editorial Assistant
Employment examplesEDUCATION
Briary Primary School - Teaching Assistant
Capital Education - Recruitment Consultant
Dept of Education & Training N.T. - Tutor
EFL Teacher
English Teacher
Essex County Council - Drama Teacher/GTP
English Language Teacher
Great Walstead School - Teaching Assistant
Halsford Park Primary School - Teaching Assistant
Hogeschool - Asst English Teacher
Kent County Council - Teacher
Language Link Russia - Intern EFL Teacher
Longhill High School - Teaching Asst
Maidstone Grammar School for Boys - GTP English Teacher
Oxley Park Primary School - Teaching Assistant
St. Peter's School - Teaching Assistant
Student Support Officer - University
The Chumleigh Community College - Maths Technician
Varndean School - Teaching Assistant
Vayu Naidu Co - Education Project Organiser
Woodfield School - Arts Development Officer
Employment examplesOTHER
Achievements - Genealogist
Amos & Dawton - Negotiator/Estate Agent
Arnold Deacon Greene & Co - Archive Manager
British Airways - Cabin Crew
Codor Digital - Administration & Production Assistant
Confetti & Lace - Bridal Consultant/Assistant Manager
Curtis Brown - Talent Intern
Debenhams - Trainee Buyer
DMG World Media - Sales Executive
English Heritage - Events Assistant
Fandango Heartbeat - Fundraising Director
Faversham House Group - Production Assistant
HMP Cookham Wood - Trainee Prison Officer
KCC Kent Youth Service - Youth Worker
Kinnleigh Folkard Hayward - Letting Negotiator
Launch Group PR - Junior Account Executive
Lionhead Studios - Games Tester
NHS - Finance Officer
PRJS - Researcher
Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity - Wish Administrator
Smiths News - Distribution & Stock Control Administrator
The Butters Group Ltd - Creative Product Developer
The Maltings - Youth Leader
Further study examplesCanterbury Christ Church (PGCEs) - Citizenship, Post Compulsory English/Drama, Primary (x3), Secondary English
Circamedia, Bristol - Circus Skills course
Central Lancashire Univ/Radio Lancashire - Pg Dip Broadcast
Central School of Speech & Drama (x3) - MA Acting for Screen, MA Acting, MA Speech & Drama
Coastal SCITT - PGCE
College of Law, Guildford - Legal Practice Course (LPC)
International House - TEFL
Kings College London - MA in Shakespeare Studies & Playhouse
London Institute of Education - PGCE Secondary English
Oxford Brookes University - MSc Digital Media Production
RADA - BA Acting
RADA & King's College London - MA Text & Performance Studies
Rose Bruford College (x2) - MA Theatre Practice, Pg Dip Acting
Skills Plus - Certificate in Community Volunteering
University of Cumbria - PGCE General Primary
University of Hertfordshire - PGCE Primary
UNIVERSITY OF KENT - Certificate in Law & Society, MA Creative Writing, MA Cultural Study of Cosmology & Divination, MA English, MA English & American Literature, MA Theatre Dramaturgy, MPhil Drama, MSc Management
University of Reading (x3) - MSc Marketing & International Management, PGCE Secondary Drama (x2)
University of Wales Cardiff - Pg Diploma Magazine Journalism
University of Warwick - MA Television & Theatre Studies
UWE - LPC
Self-employment/Freelance
In the creative arts and culture industry 44% of people are self-employed compared to 13% in the UK as a whole.
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/selfemployment.htm
Placements and Internships - Definitions
• Internship:
• Usually 1-3 months long, during a summer vacation.
• The student works on a defined project at a graduate level.
• Graduate Internship
• Usually 3-6 months long, after graduation.
• The student works on a defined project at a graduate level.
Placements and Internships - Definitions
• Placement:
• Also called sandwich year or year in industry.
• Usually 9-12 months long during the penultimate year of study.
• Must be relevant to degree course.
• The student works on a defined project at a graduate level.
• Work experience/shadowing:
• 1-2 weeks unpaid.
• A taster of the career area.
• Insight day
• Taster days organised by companies.
Top Tips during your Placement/Internship
• Make an impression:
• Use your initiative.
• Get feedback.
• Be professional.
• Network
• Ask to shadow/work in different departments.
• Connect with your colleagues on LinkedIn.
• Keep a log of the skills you have gained with examples.
Searching for placements/internships
• www.kent.ac.uk/ces
• Vacancy database
• ‘ ‘I want to work in….’ section
• www.ratemyplacement.co.uk
• www.prospects.ac.uk
• Vacancy database
• Job sectors
• Graduate directories
• Speculative approach
Searching for placements/internships
• http://graduatetalentpool.direct.gov.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/p!ecaaefg
• www.targetjobs.co.uk
• www.milkround.com
• www.insidecareers.co.uk
• www.thejobcrowd.com
• http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/
What if I’m still stuck?
• Make the most of opportunities (planned happenstance)
• Think about it little and often
• Make an appointment to speak to a careers adviser
How the Careers and Employability Service can help you.
What we do
• Careers Talks and Workshops
• Careers Library: Employer Directories, Occupational Profiles, Books etc
• Comprehensive Web Pages
• Careers Employability Award (CEM) on Moodle
• Vacancy Database
• Alumni Careers Network
• Annual Careers and Recruitment Fair
• Drop In - Quick Query
• Careers Guidance Interviews
Careers and Employability Service Web Site: www.kent.ac.uk/ces
Careers and Employability Service Web Pages
• I want to work in …. http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sitesmedia.htm
• What can I do with my degree in http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/drama.htm
• Choosing a Career http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/Choosing/ChoosingCareer.htm
• Interviews (includes assessment centres and psychometric tests etc.) www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm
• Example CVs & Covering Letterswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm
• Creative Career Search http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/CJ.htm
• Employability Skills http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillsmenu.htm
Careers Employability Award
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm
The module takes about 12 hours to complete
But this can be done at your own pace
You do this by completing:
9 quizzes
3 short assignments
1 feedback form
Comments from students who have completed the award.
• “I liked the fact that the assignments relate to how you would fill in answers on a graduate job application step by step and provides examples of how to fill it in.”
• “I really enjoyed the quizzes. They effectively highlighted the gaps in my knowledge, as many of the answers surprised me. I also found the module on creating my own CV very useful, these skills will be invaluable for tailoring my CV to particular jobs.”
• “There is a wealth of information about everything; I especially liked the individual information about specific job types and the advice given about interview skills.”
Attend Careers Talks and Workshops.
• A Career in Sales
• Champions Life Academy
• The Network
• CRCC (Asia, China Internship Programme )
• http://www.kent.ac.uk/calendar/ (Student Skills and Employability)
• http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/casevents.htm
Recent talk, the Network
Do you want to work in TV?
http://www.geitf.co.uk/thenetwork/apply-2
Their advice …
• Get work experience
• Watch TV!!!!
• Think how could you improve something?
• Read the credits
• Find out who does what genres
• Get e-mail addresses
• Contact people, knock on doors
• Be persistent!
Vacancy Database
• All vacancies sent to the Careers and Employability Service by employers, whether for graduate jobs, sandwich placements or vacation work/internships are entered on this database which offers:
• Email alerts of new vacancies which may interest you
• Employers notifying vacancies are often specifically targeting Kent graduates, so competition for jobs is lower than on other vacancy sites www.kent.ac.uk/careers/jobs/index.htm
Speak to an adviser:
• Quick query, drop in and speak to an adviser 10.30am -12.30pm and 2.00pm-4pm Monday to Friday.
• E mail [email protected] and an adviser will respond to your query.
• You can also book a longer career guidance appointment over the phone or pop in.
Advice • Use www.prospects.ac.uk, including Prospects Planner, to
research options available
• Use www.kent.ac.uk/ces
• Get relevant work experience!
• Think beyond the stereotypes of organisations e.g. Bloomberg , e-on
• Find out how the sectors you are interested in recruit
• NETWORK !!
• Find out who actually makes the decisions for hiring
• Make use of the Careers and Employability Service
Careers and Employability Service
You can download a copy of this presentation You can download a copy of this presentation at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm
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