Arts, Media, and Communications Cluster
Is creativity one of your hallmark attributes?
Many industries seek stand-out creatives in the arts, in media, and in communications.
- Copywriter
- Graphic Designer
- Public Relations Manager
- Advertising Sales Agent
- Journalist
- Publisher
- Curator
- Archivist
- Scenic Designer
- Choreographer
- Actor
- Artist
- Special Events Coordinator
- Educator
- Art History, B.A.
- English–Creative Writing Concentration, B.A.
- English–Literature Concentration, B.A.
- Economics & Business B.A.
- Classical Studies, B.A.
- Music, B.A.
- Music–Music Composition, B.A.
- Studio Art, B.A.
- Theatre, B.A.
**These are just some of the more common majors for this career cluster. Any major could potentially obtain work in these fields.
The following are just a few courses that you might consider while exploring the Arts, Media, and Communications pathway. Please note that course numbers and titles are subject to change. Consult the Course Catalog for current course information.
- MUS 110–Music Theory I (1)
- SOC 101–Sociological Thinking (1) OR SOC 102 - Topics in Sociological Thinking (1)
- ANT 101–Cultural Anthropology (1)
- ENG 201–Introduction to Literary Studies (1)
- ENG 202–Introduction to Film Studies (1)
- ENG 215–Introduction to Creative Writing (1)
- THE 115–Basic Acting (1)
- ART 100–Topics: Introduction to Ceramic Pottery (1)
General information about off-campus study, travel abroad, passport applications, and affiliated and non-affiliated study abroad programs are available from the Office of International and Off-Campus Studies. Students may participate in multiple off-campus study opportunities during their career at Cornell. In order to be eligible to participate in any off-campus study at Cornell, students must:
- have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 (unless a higher grade point average is specified)
- be in good disciplinary standing with the college
- be in good financial standing with the college
- American Alliance of Museums
- Americans for the Arts
- Actors Equity Association
- National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, Communications Workers of America
- TV and Broadcast Employment Services
- Association for Women in Communications
- National Communication Association
- Society for Technical Communication
- Society of Professional Journalism
- American Marketing Association
- Open Field
- BOOM (literary magazine)
- KRNL Radio Station
- The Cornellian Newspaper
- Art Interest Group
- Lyrically Inclined (slam poetry and spoken word)
- Slick Shoes (social dance)
- Student Theatre Council
- Performing Arts and Activities Council
- Spirit Squad (Cheerleading & Dance Teams)
Recent internship sites:
- Editing & Translation Intern, Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, NY
- Event Management Intern, Iowa City Summer of the Arts, Iowa City, IA
- Graphic Design Intern, ZMG Ruckus Factory, Chicago, IL
- Library Science Intern, Cole Library, Mt. Vernon, IA
- Operations & Curator Intern, Kansas Aviation Museum, Wichita, KS
- Social Media Intern, Amazing Edibles Catering, Chicago, IL
- Summer Marketing Mentorship Intern, Cramer-Krasselt, Chicago, IL
- Theatre Administration Intern, Cedar Rapids Opera, Cedar Rapids, IA
- Video Asset Management Intern, Lucasfilm, Ltd., San Francisco, CA
Job search resources:
US Dept. of Labor resources:
- Occupational Outlook Handbook for Media and Communication majors
- Occupational Outlook Handbook for Arts and Design majors
- O*NET Online
Ingenuity in Action Experiences and Funding:
Use the “See Alumni” button on the Cornell College page on LinkedIn to view alumni by major, geographic location, industry, etc.
Alumni Careers
- Patron Services Associate, Creede Repertory Theatre, Creede, CO
- Operations Manager, Orchestra Iowa, Cedar Rapids, IA
- Actor and Director, Missoula Children’s Theatre, Missoula, MT
- Technical Director, Westford Academy Theater Arts, Boston, MA
- Audience Services Manager, Windy City Playhouse, Chicago, IL
- Lighting and Controls Project Manager, BMI Supply, Queensbury, NY
- Marketing Associate, Victory Gardens Theatre, Chicago, IL
- Education Outreach Coordinator, Writers Theatre, Chicago, IL
- Light-Board Programmer, Broadway/TV, New York City, NY
- Costume Coordinator, “Gotham,” FOX Television, New York City, NY
- Associate Production Manager, Goodman Theatre, Chicago, IL
- Guest Services, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
- Academic Outreach Coordinator, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
- Gallery Assistant, Douglas Dawson Gallery, Chicago, IL
- Marketing Director, Mind Over Matter Studio Method, Chesterton, IN
- Installation Technician, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Should I earn a postgraduate degree?
This depends on your career goals and what you'd like to practice:
- Master’s programs are designed to expand and deepen the knowledge and skills acquired as an undergraduate.
- Although a graduate degree is not required for arts careers, individuals may pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree (M.F.A.) or apply to music/arts conservatories to earn more credibility and strengthen their skills.
- Master of Science or Arts (M.S. or M.A.) in Journalism
- Master of Science (M.S.) or Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Film, Radio, & Television
- Doctoral (D.B.A.) or Ph.D. programs are generally designed for people primarily interested in research or careers in academia.