Nurturing Hope: Empowering Arts Graduates for Sustainable Careers.

“I 100% believe that my outlook for my career has changed. I have the tools to be able to navigate the trenches that is the industry.”

(Arts student & Career Mapping for Creatives Participant)

In the bustling world of academia and the dynamic arts sector, a silent struggle persists. As graduates eagerly step into the spotlight, their dreams brimming with creativity, they're often met with a harsh reality: the journey ahead is fraught with challenges. Burnout, exploitation, unpredictable work patterns and financial insecurity loom like dark clouds, threatening to overshadow their passion. Yet, amidst these storms, a beacon of hope shines brightly – the promise of empowerment through learning the skills of leading a self-directed creative career.

At the heart of this narrative lies a profound truth: while creatives possess an unwavering sense of vocation they are offered little of the career support or knowledge needed to sustain their careers. The traditional paradigms of career theory fail to relate to the unpredictable nature of modern creative careers. Career guidance was never needed by creatives who knew their callings and so the idea of career support for creatives at university and third level settings has been abandoned almost entirely. In doing so we have thrown the baby out with the bathwater. We now find ourselves at a crossroads, where the real-life challenges facing every creative entering the sector can no longer be ignored. It’s no longer justifiable to train students in the skills of their craft while neglecting the skills they need to manage their careers.

But fear not, for where there are challenges, there are also opportunities for transformation. It's time to embrace a new paradigm – one that champions adaptive career skills tailored for creative careers.

Picture this: a room filled with eager minds, each craving one thing above all – hope. In fact, when asked to write on post-its what they wanted from the workshop this single word ‘hope’ appeared on more than one. This was the poignant scene from a recent workshop I ran in an Irish university, where students yearned for reassurance as they teetered on the edge of uncertainty. And therein lies the crux of our mission – to instil hope in the hearts of every creative graduate poised on the precipice of their career journey. Hope has been identified as a core element of of developing, adapting and sustaining a creative career. These students knew intuitively what we as a sector seem to be forgetting; that hope is not only found but developed.

So, how do we navigate this uncharted territory? Let's embark on a journey of empowerment as a sector through knowledge, armed with some fundamental pillars of modern career theory for unpredictable times:

Developing Self-Concept:

Creatives are not defined by job titles; they are architects of their destiny, weaving a tapestry of projects that define their career trajectory. At the core of this journey needs to lie a deep understanding of self – an unwavering compass to guide them through the ebbs and flows of their professional landscape across a lifetime. By identifying and nurturing the essence of their self-concept, creatives can emerge as resilient champions, equipped to weather the storms of change with grace and tenacity.

Growing Critical Awareness:

In a sector where exploitation lurks in the shadows, critical awareness becomes our greatest ally. Each contract, each negotiation, becomes an arena where creatives must know how to champion their rights with growing resolve. Armed with a keen understanding of their sector and their personal needs, they can navigate the murky waters of uncertainty, emerging victorious in their pursuit of sustainable careers.

Learning Life and Career Design:

As the lines between work and life continue to blur, creatives find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with the delicate balance of life and work. Burnout and workaholism threaten to derail their journey, yet with proper awareness, they can forge ahead, sculpting a life that honors both passion and purpose. Through conscious design and thoughtful introspection, they can carve a unique path illuminated by fulfilment and meaning.

These are some fo the core pillars of career development that have been embraced by national campaigns in Canada, Australia and the UK over the last decade as part of a blueprint thats support people and policy to meet the changes in our unpredictable world of work. Over the last two years, delivering ‘Career Mapping for Creatives’ workshops in these skills to graduates across the arts, I have encountered a resoundingly positive response. Participants have found new perspectives on the careers future that have brought fresh hope and new options. To date most third level settings across the country offer no education in career management and development for creatives. We need this to change, and it can.

But the question remains – do we possess the will to enact change? The research is clear, the solutions within reach. It's time for universities and arts institutions alike to champion this cause – to pave the way for a future where every creative emerges from the depths of academia, not as mere graduates, but as empowered visionaries, poised to launch their careers with hope in their hearts.

“It doesn’t seem as scary. I have more faith and clarity now”

(Arts student & Career Mapping for Creatives Participant)

In conclusion, let us not merely toss aside the idea of career support for graduating creatives; instead, let us usher in a new era of empowerment – one where every creative takes the plunge, not into uncertainty, but into a sea of boundless possibilities. Together, let us nurture hope, ignite passion, and enable creatives to facilitate sustainable careers fuelled by knowledge and propelled by passion.

“I found the content to be an excellent introduction to a more positive vision of my future career. I feel that I can apply more of my innate abilities to various aspects of my future career”

(Arts student & Career Mapping for Creatives Participant)

To find out more about Career Mapping for Creatives and how we support graduates to develop sustainable careers visit us here.