Explore career options in arts and languages
Here you can find information on the types of careers and employment roles your studies in arts and languages may land you.
You can also discover where to look for job vacancies, as well as professional associations, mentoring and international opportunities.
Opportunities
An arts degree opens doors to a plethora of exciting careers. Arts graduates are equipped with an ability to find and communicate creative solutions to contemporary challenges by bringing a holistic approach to understanding social, cultural and political issues.
Along with technical skills in research, analysis, policy development and foreign language, arts graduates are valued for high-level critical thinking and communication skills.
The ability to question narratives, look at issues from multiple viewpoints to drive innovation, develop solutions, communicate across cultures, structure writing, speak with confidence, and communicate with influence can be applied in a variety of ways across industries and occupational sectors.
An arts education can help to shape worldviews and develop tools to make an impact in key areas of interest.
Language advantages
Possessing foreign language skills is an asset, especially in today’s global economy. Speaking and writing another language can be of benefit to a variety of employers and employment contexts such as multinational, not-for-profit or aid organisations, foreign affairs, and government departments.
Industries where language skills would be beneficial include media, health and social support, international relations, trade, tourism, commerce and technology.
Career pathways
Jobs to pursue after graduation may draw on skills developed while completing a particular major. Other roles can take advantage of the key transferable skills possessed by arts graduates such as critical thinking, innovative problem-solving, effective communication and research skills.
Large organisations and government departments offer employment options through graduate programs and are a popular destination for arts graduates. The Bachelor of Arts also lays a foundation to continue further graduate coursework in varied areas such as law, teaching, international relations, banking and finance.
Research careers are an option if you want to further explore your major or build a career in research, academia or consulting.
Career fields
- Government—local, state, and federal
- Private industry
- Non-government organisations
- Education
- Political parties
- Libraries and museums
- Advertising and marketing
- Trade unions
- Retail
- Welfare and community development
- Media organisations
- Public relations
- Advocacy and lobby groups
Employment roles
- Policy officer
- Creative writer
- Social historian
- Advocate
- Media advisor
- Journalist
- Editor
- Project officer
- Research officer
- Cultural heritage advisor (Indigenous)
- Curator
- Archivist
- Market risk analyst
- Teacher/trainer
- Quantitative trader
- Credit management analyst
- Customer engagement officer
- Study-abroad coordinator
- Bilingual property officer
- International development program officer
- Translator/interpreter
Occupation snapshot
Employed
35,000
Annual growth
2,100
Weekly earnings
$2,584
Part-time share
12%
This data is based on the occupation profile for policy and planning managers, retrieved from the Government's Jobs and Skills Australia website August 2024.
Your employability
In addition to knowledge and skills directly related to your program of study, you will also develop a range of other skills such as teamwork, analytical, communication through academic study, employment, voluntary work, sporting and recreational activities and life experience.
Recognising the value employers place on these skills is an important factor in your graduate job search. You can further develop your employability with these resources:
Vacancies
You can find information on relevant vacancies in a range of sources:
See career options guides in relevant disciplines (such as international business, language and linguistics, human services, film and screen or criminal justice) for industry-specific vacancy sites and relevant employers.
Job application resources
Craft a stand-out resume and cover letter, and learn how to prepare for job interviews.
Approach potential employers
Many work opportunities are not advertised, so we recommend approaching potential employers with the aim of researching their needs and how your skills, experience, interests and qualifications could match theirs.
This is called informational interviewing and will benefit you by:
- clarifying your specific career direction
- enhancing your professional network
- increasing your chances of being offered a job.
Industry outlook
The Your Career website includes helpful information such as job descriptions, employment prospects, average weekly earnings and skills requirements. Every job title in the database has a skills section to help you identify and describe essential skills for your future career.
The My Future website also has job descriptions and a useful career insight section.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website has up-to-date information on graduate salaries, especially the Graduate Outlook Survey (GOS) National Report, which contains undergraduate salary figures.
More detailed information is available at the Labour Market Insights portal.
Professional associations
Joining a professional association is a great way to interact with people in your field who can assist you to explore your career options and potentially find employment opportunities.
Such associations hold regular professional development and networking events.
Students are welcome to join and often receive a discount on membership.
Relevant associations include:
- Applied Linguistics Association of Australia
- Association for the Study of Australian Literature
- Australasian Association of Philosophy
- International Australian Studies Association
- Australian Political Studies Association
- Contemporary European Studies Association of Australia
- Cultural Studies Association of Australia
- Institute of Public Administration Australia
- Japanese Studies Association of Australia
- Korean Studies Association of Australasia
- Museums Australia
- Professional Historians Association (Queensland)
- Royal Australian Historical Society
- Australia Academy of the Humanities
- Australian Writers Guild
- Society of Editors
- Australian Association for Professional and Applied Ethics
- Australian Association for the Study of Religions
- Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
- Australian Community Workers Association
- Digital + Technology Collective
- Australian Society for Sports History
- Australian Society of Authors
- Brisbane Creative Industries
- Asian Studies Association of Australia
- Japanese Studies Association of Australia
Mentoring
The award-winning Industry Mentoring Program provides an excellent opportunity to further develop your employability and build professional networks.
The program is available to students with more than 80CP as well as recent graduates.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is committed to advancing sustainable development through comprehensive initiatives that promote economic prosperity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and good governance for all.
Further careers information
Careers counselling
Individual career counselling sessions are available to all current students and recent graduates.
You can book an initial appointment via CareerHub.
Career planning
Our website has an array of career planning resources you can explore at any stage of your student journey.
Career Readiness
Check out our Career Readiness site in Learning@Griffith for additional information and resources for your career development learning:
Please note: The content on this webpage is a guide only. Please refer to degree-specific information and accreditation requirements of your profession on the Degree and Course Finder website and with the relevant professional accreditation body for your degree.