Arts, Media, and Communications

The Big Picture

Are you interested in BEING an artist?  This could be related to performance, design, painting, sculpting or composing. What about COMMUNICATING about art? That involves more studying, curating, teaching and reviewing. Or even FACILITATING art? This means advocating, organizing, marketing, fundraising, managing, presenting. 

Are you a news junkie? Journalism is certainly changing with the evolving digital landscape, but opportunities do still exist at newspapers and magazines of all sorts. Are you an entertainer at heart?  In the Arts this could be in the visual or performance spaces like galleries, museums or theaters.  In film, radio and television these are other venues where you can unleash your creative zest.  Sports, music and fashion are all parts of culture that you can cover in the media, in many shapes and sizes. 

Another thing true of this career path: trajectories are rarely straightforward and clearly accessible. YOU get to lay out your creative path, so don’t be waiting around for opportunities to come your way.  Go out and get them!  Read on to learn more about how to take advantage of lots of resources in Arts, Communications and Media. 

What You Can Expect

You could be drawn to work in this career path if: 

• Creativity oozes out of you, but not always.  Yes, you might be the person ready to perform in front of the camera or on the stage, but also equally able to work behind the scenes in an important support role. 
• You want to influence people’s behavior and decisions.  Whether via the written word or motion picture or audio, you have the chance to make an impression on an audience. 
• You’re curious to discover and share trends in news and culture.  As someone who likely already follows current affairs, you’re ready to put that interest to work reporting for a magazine, news agency or other publication. 

Areas of Focus

Here are seven areas you can explore within this broad career path: 

Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations

It is quite common to talk about these 3 areas of work together. Although they are all interrelated, there is a significant difference between the three. 

Advertising is the means of communication to a target audience using mostly paid media such as television, radio, the Internet, and print publications. 

Marketing is the overall process of communication and delivering products to a target audience through the marketing mix of product, price, place and promotion. 

Public Relations is a communication method used by businesses to convey a positive image to a target audience and the general public. Examples of PR methods include but are not limited to, press releases, community involvement, and speaking at public forums on issues important to a target audience. 

Architecture and Design

This area includes a wide range of topics related to development, construction and engineering, interior design, landscape architecture, and urban planning.  

Digital/Social Media

A career in social media typically involves working to raise awareness of a company’s mission, products, programs, and services among its customers by communicating with them across social media channels. To accomplish this, the person in this position might create written stories, blog posts, messages, and videos and disperse them across social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Youtube.  

Film/Radio/Television

There are the big networks and studios (NBC, ABC, Fox, Viacom, Warner Brothers, Columbia Pictures, Disney and more) and plenty of smaller, independent shops too.  Roles range from in front of the camera to pre- and post-production positions in music, sound, lighting, writing, costume, effects and of course acting.  New York and Los Angeles are the major geographic centers of this entertainment business. 

Performing Arts

Theater, Dance and Music make up the core of this area.  Whether your dream is Broadway, Lincoln Center, Hollywood or something else, there are sure to be hours spent diligently practicing and perfecting your craft.  Combined with a little luck, and surrounding yourself with the right people, the performing arts could be the career for you. 

Visual Arts

Work in museums, galleries and auction houses encompass this area.  Art educators and therapists, public art programs, arts advocacy groups, and community arts organizations operate primarily, but not exclusively, in the non-profit sector.  The commercial art world, which concerns itself with the buying and selling of arts objects, is a for-profit arena. Auction houses, art brokerages, galleries, and commercial art dealers fall within the commercial art arena. 

Writing/Publishing and Journalism

For someone considering this career area, the key is getting as much writing experience as possible and to read, read, read. If you have a natural curiosity, like to write and write well, thrive in time-driven situations, know how to ask the right questions, and have good interviewing and listening skills, these areas may be a field worth considering.

Top Resources

Use the links below to help you learn about these career paths. 

Stories from the Field

Finding the right career path starts with hearing real-world stories and connecting with those who’ve been there. CCI offers a range of resources to help you explore careers, gain advice, and build meaningful connections.

MiddConnect

Need career advice? MiddConnect is your gateway to connecting with Middlebury’s global network of alumni and parent volunteers. Search an extensive database using filters like employer, job role, location, or major to find people who align with your career interests.

Use MiddConnect to:

• Set up 1:1 conversations with alumni and parents.
• Explore career paths and industries.
• Network for advice when applying for roles.

MiddConnect is part of the Midd2Midd platform, which fosters mentoring, networking, and engagement within the Middlebury community worldwide. Whether you’re seeking a mentor, exploring career options, or sharing your expertise with others, MiddConnect helps you build meaningful connections across the Middlebury community.

futureforward

Watch alumni and parent leaders discuss their industries, share current trends, and provide actionable steps to help you break into those fields.

Live from DC

Watch Live from DC webinars featuring experts in policy-driven career fields, discussing how current events shape opportunities and challenges.

MIDDVantage

Explore virtual career exploration MIDDVantage episodes featuring Middlebury alumni and guests offering insights into various career paths and industries.