What can one realistically do with a degree in Music/English/Film?

BetterThanThou

Sorry if this is the wrong place for this question, I'm not entirely sure where to put it.
I'm in 5th year now, the last week or so, I've been putting a lot of thought into where I want to study once I'm finished my Leaving Cert and what I want to study. I've decided UCD is the place I most likely want to go, but, I'm still not sure what I want to study. My choices have ranged quite a bit, from Medicine, to Human Nutrition, to Physiotherapy, to Theoretical Physics, to English with Film to Music.
I have an interest in all, though, part of me thinks the workload of the non-arts ones may be too much for me, as, while I am a rather intelligent person, I'm also rather lazy, part of me thinks I should try change that, another part of me thinks I should embrace it and do what I want to do, I have no doubt I could at least get the points to get into Medicine or Physio if I wanted to.
Anyway, I feel I'd rather have a career in English, Film or Music, especially music. However, I've been put under the impression that most arts degrees are rather worthless for everything other than teaching, is this true? What could I realistically do with a degree in English, Film or Music?

Maldesu

I'm doing English as a minor. If you like English because you like the creative side of things, you'll probably hate it. Best way I can describe English here is critical though and analysis. It can be tough and there is little room for the creative. I've heard mixed reviews about the film but no idea about Music.
Realistically, with that kind of degree, you'd be very limited in what you can do unless you plan to get a Masters or something. English is also a very popular subject, so there will be many others out there with similar.

I'd suggest this to you: pick something you enjoy and can see yourself working on because if you don't like, you won't be bothered putting the work in, or take a year out and think about it.

If you want to know more about the subject stream for English you can click here for the break down of first year, but this applies to the single honours. English with Film is here. These are also only for 1st year.
Any questions about the English part you can PM me if you like. Someone else here might be able to tell you more about the film part.

Siuin

BetterThanThou wrote: »

I have an interest in all, though, part of me thinks the workload of the non-arts ones may be too much for me, as, while I am a rather intelligent person, I'm also rather lazy,

As a final year English and history student I can tell you now; if you're lazy you won't get anywhere in life no matter what you study. Regardless of what degree you opt for, it will only ever be as good as the amount of time and effort you're willing to put into it. The job market is extremely competitive and a bad degree with a low GPA is hardly worth the paper it's written on no matter what you choose to study. Don't pick arts because you think that it's the "easy way out" - any course is easy if you go in with low expectations and the intention of not working at it.

Ruski

You're wrong to assume that arts has less of a workload. It may be a year shorter than science, and it may now be considered a mickey mouse degree, you'll still have a massive workload.

I'm studying mathematical physics, and even though I have some properly difficult classes, I feel that I'd rather have three maths questions per class to do in a week than write a 5000 word essay about a bad film or a book that I don't like. I also don't have to worry about my work not getting a grade because of some "plagiarism" bollocks.

BetterThanThou

I suppose describing it as "lazy" wouldn't be the best choice of words. I was just thinking, I'd be likely to get English, Film or Music much more than I'd get some things in the area of Medicine or Physio, even though I'd be interested in all them. The idea of doing a 5000 word essay is much more appealing than doing a couple of Math, Biology or Chemistry questions, I feel I'd excel at the practical components of Medicine or Physiotherapy, but, struggle with the academic components, whereas, with English with Film or Music, I feel I'd excel at all components and subjects and have absolutely no problem putting in hours of study. But, the question remains, what could one generally do with those degrees?

Pandoras Twist

Not a lot. Probably do a masters afterwards, possibly go into secondary school teaching but you'd have to do a H.Dip.

If you can't think of any jobs, there aren't any. If you pick your degree based on things you're loosely interested in or you're good at in school you will be find out they are nothing like you expected.

I'd go the science route anyway. The workload for arts is huge but the pay off is very minimal.

Siuin

Pandoras Twist wrote: »

Not a lot. Probably do a masters afterwards, possibly go into secondary school teaching but you'd have to do a H.Dip.

If you can't think of any jobs, there aren't any. If you pick your degree based on things you're loosely interested in or you're good at in school you will be find out they are nothing like you expected.

I'd go the science route anyway. The workload for arts is huge but the pay off is very minimal.

I disagree- that's a very narrow view to take on what you can do with an arts degree. I did English and history and I have already worked in PR, publishing and in the diplomatic services. That said, I got a 1.1 -- as I said, arts is whatever you choose to put into it.

Pandoras Twist

Was your degree a direct link though? Or were they roles that were open to graduates of different areas which you got based on good grades, work experience etc.

Siuin

Pandoras Twist wrote: »

Was your degree a direct link though? Or were they roles that were open to graduates of different areas which you got based on good grades, work experience etc.

My degree equipped me with the tools for all those jobs, but ultimately everyone needs to have their own skills and interests outside of *any* degree to stand out from the crowd.

Before I started in university I was a published writer, which led to a part time job in publishing throughout my 1st year in college. I was also publishing articles in various national newspapers since I was 17 which led to me being spotted via linkedin (if you haven't a profile already, make one!) and getting a job in PR and content writing for a small digital business. I've been working alongside an embassy in Dublin for the past 4 years doing press releases for them and helping to write speeches because I self-taught myself their language from the age of 16 and worked my way into their circles by attending their events and befriending people in the embassy.

Getting good grades is definitely helpful from a financial point of view- I've had portions of my fees waived as well as the cost of applying for a masters. I'm also having my flights, accommodation etc covered by UCD for a trip to the US this summer to partake in a seminar.

However, I would also argue that building good relationships with the academic staff is almost as important as your grades- if you go to tutorials, participate fully and consistently get good results in your essays, they'll provide you with a great reference and also give you insider's information about competitions and opportunities available. People often laugh at mature students who befriend their tutors and lecturers, but they've got the right idea. Disposing of these people once you've finished their module is not the most strategic thing to do.

However, I would also think that any business or law student would need that extra edge to get ahead, as the classes for these degrees are huge.

danoc

Arts gets a bad rep because of its dropout rate. Thing is, the people who don't expect to have to do much dropout in the first year.

If you're thinking of doing English or Music because they don't have much of a workload, then you are wrong. English, between all the modules you will do, will require a large amount of reading, critical thinking and essay writing. Music then requires a huge amount of learning and working things out. If you go down the analysis road in music you might find yourself doing things that are almost mathematical. The closer you are to your final year in these two subjects, the more you will need to specialise and the more work you will need to do.

They generally have less hours of class in comparison to other courses, but that is because you are expected to research in this time. This is so you don't go getting yourself in trouble for plagiarism, like Ruski pointed out above.

Kiltennel

Jobs related directly to the field: Not much, teaching, postgraduate studies, journalism, musician etc.

Jobs unrelated: Assuming you work hard and a get 2.1 minimum, get involved in societies and sports club quite heavily which will all culminate in a great CV there are many. I don't mean just membership of a society for involvement, I'm talking more about committee level positions and representing the university. Build up a great CV and you'll be competitive for many jobs. Each year the Big 4 Accountancy firms / Big 6 Law firms all hire several hundred graduates between them from all backgrounds, same goes for the technology companies in business roles.

RandomName2

A general arts degree or science degree is suited towards the civil service - although many positions (such as teaching) will require a further qualification.

Notorious

Pandoras Twist wrote: »

Not a lot. Probably do a masters afterwards, possibly go into secondary school teaching but you'd have to do a H.Dip.

That's an appalling response to the question asked.

Put simply, if you can come out of an arts degree with a solid result (2.1 or higher), you'll have an excellent opportunity to walk into further education (be that a masters or onto a hDip for say, teaching). It's wrong to think that arts degrees aren't worth the paper they're printed on. At the end of the day a college education is what you make of it.

Get yourself a good, high scoring BA and you'll have as much of a right to apply for a job (anywhere), as anyone else. The problem being not the arts degree, but the lack of jobs to 'walk' into.

With english, film & music you could step into a hDip to become a teacher. There'd also be the option to head down a more media minded route, or something in publishing.