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This week, Lula Marsh, 18, has been on set doing 12 hour days with a 50 minute commute each way. She is working five days a week as a runner for a film company. She wants to be an actor and is deciding whether to apply to drama school next year. “I’m learning a lot right now,” she says. “I’m meeting really interesting people and I’m finding out a lot about the industry.”
It’s now commonplace for students interested in a career in the arts to start looking for work experience at a young age. Although there has been a 5.4% decline in graduate numbers since 2012/13, competition for full-time work in the creative industries is still high, and a degree alone can’t guarantee a living. So what more can student artists do? Whether you’re about to start university or still weighing up your options, we asked experts and creatives for their tips on how to get ahead.
Don’t wait for permission
Most arts-related degrees prepare their students for the world of work leaving them with a portfolio at the end, and many further supplement their degree education by getting involved in societies. Although a university course gives you a chance to experiment, discover your style and develop creativity without commercial pressure, it is not the only way. Kate Stanners, chairwoman and global chief creative officer at Saatchi & Saatchi, says that if you have a creative interest or vision, be proactive. “Don’t wait for someone to give you an opportunity before you start creating work. Build your portfolio now,” she says.
Others agree. When hiring photographers, stylists and make-up artists, Sarah Raphael, author and former editor or i-D magazine and Refinery 29 UK, says that portfolios and previous clients are what matters. “It’s about the strength of the work and the aesthetic,” she says. “No one has ever asked me what degree I got and I would be happy to hire a self-taught creative.”
Build an online presence
Use different channels and mediums to get your work out there. “Create projects or ideas you’re really proud of, get them online and approach the creatives you respect to ask for their advice and feedback,” says Stanners.
Social media can also be a good way to get your work noticed. Natalie Worgs, whose Girls About Peckham Instagram project is currently collaborating with the Tate, says it’s a place for people to make connections, draw people into your story and let them see what you stand for. “The Tate found me because somebody there follows my account,” she says.
Don’t be afraid to apply for jobs
Many universities offer students to take a work placement as part of their course – invaluable experience for developing contacts and building a CV. These can give graduates an advantage, particularly as a large number of placement positions and roles in the creative industries are not advertised.
Hillary Chittenden, who heads up D&AD’s New Blood Shift, a free night school helping young people without degrees kickstart a career in the creative industries, says the last 12 months has seen a shift in the way companies are recruiting to open up opportunities. There are different processes in place to help avoid unconscious bias against applicants, their networks and their education status. “Three years spent getting a degree are undeniably valuable, however I strongly believe that it shouldn’t be the only way into a creative role,” she says.
Being self-motivated is vital especially as self-employment is as high as 25.4% in some creative jobs. Matthews thinks that, if anything, not having a degree has made her more focused. “I feel the need to prove myself,” she says.
The creative industries thrive on fresh new ideas. Chittenden says they are always looking for young people who are not afraid to do things their own way and not try to emulate what has gone before. “Curiosity, problem solving and brave thinking are highly valuable,” she says.
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