Jobs for the Major
How this major affects a job search
If working in the theater arts is something you're passionate about, but you know you don't want to act, despair not. Actors do tend to get much of the attention, but there are plenty of jobs that don't force you to get on stage in front hundreds and…cry.
If you're the type of person that likes working with your hands, you could become a technician and help with the lighting. If you love making people look pretty, you could become a makeup artist. Writing, directing, producing, and promoting are all ways to be in the dramatic world without being on screen or on stage.
On the other hand, acting is clearly the avenue many people go down. From television to Broadway hits, there are so many mediums available these days. Seriously. Nowadays, even famous YouTubers get interviewed on Oprah.
If you take some serious talent, mix it with a lot of hard work, and throw in some luck, you just might have the makings of a big star. The odds aren't in your favor, but you'll never know until you try. Well, except if you decide to never try...then you'll know. We guess.
But that's boring.
You know what isn't boring?
Being the next Jennifer Lawrence. Boom.
Common Career Fields
Acting. Yes, this is the most obvious answer we can imagine, but it's the dream for many people that get a degree in drama. If you're looking to follow in the footsteps of famous actors like Denzel Washington or Al Pacino, then you'll have to be extremely dedicated. We're talking about eating, sleeping, and drinking acting. (But let us be the first to tell you, acting is not the tastiest beverage…)
Comedy. It's rather common to see popular actors that have a background in comedy, and for good reason. Comedians have to be creative with their material, display self-confidence, and often face failure, all of which are important to anyone in the world of drama. Although comedians typically don't make the same kind of money that A-list actors make, it can be a great way of getting your name out there.
Criticism. After learning all about drama, from the writing to performing, you'll have the groundwork for a career in critiquing. Although some people are content to watch every movie they can get their hands on, most people like to see how the reviews are going before checking out a flick. Just think about how many times you've consulted Rotten Tomatoes before watching a movie.
Editing. A three-hour movie can certainly seem long to viewers, but consider how much of that movie wasn't included in the final product. Yikes. Your head would probably start to hurt. All major productions have scenes that weren't used for plenty of reasons, and having a good editor can help produce the best (and least boring) movie possible. They go through and cut scenes out while splicing others together to ensure that the movie progresses smoothly and looks top-notch by the end.
Makeup. Don't jump to conclusions here—you don't have to be working the counters at department stores to work with makeup (although, those can be sweet gigs, too). We're talking about being backstage for performances or behind the scenes at a movie shoot. A hundred years ago, the makeup was a bit simpler and typically consisted of face paint and powdered wigs. These days, however, we've got movies like X-Men and Prometheus which really push the envelope for makeup. Until CGI completely takes over the scene, makeup will stay a huge part of both live and recorded performances.
Special Effects. Special effects can turn a mediocre movie into a fantastic film. Some directors have even based their entire careers around special effects. If you've ever seen Avatar or any of the Marvel movies, then you'll understand the major role these effects can have on a production and why it's important to have top-quality professionals working to achieve the most jaw-dropping (yet somewhat believable) scenes.
Stunts. This is the ideal job for just about every fifteen-year-old boy. Jumping off roofs and landing on giant balloons for money seems like a pretty sweet deal. These are the folks who step in when things get a bit hairy on set. Instead of the leading lady taking a punch to the ribs, the stuntwoman will do it. Okay, we'll admit that part doesn't sound so glamorous, but it is an exciting way to make a living. Outside of the immediate perks (ahem, money), you'd be immersed in the world of drama. Get ready to learn a ton…while being set on fire.
Current unemployment of the major
7.3%Percentage of majors who get a higher degree after college
24%Stats obtained from this source.