Goals and Opportunities

 

-Study Abroad (Spring Break, Summer Session, Semester, or Year)
Consider a location related to potential fields of study

Summer in Paris and London: European Baroque Art & Architecture
 ARTH 495/595, 3 credits 

http://www.odu.edu/ao/oip/studyabroad/

-Foreign Languages
-Tremendous asset no matter your career path
-Recommended languages are German, French, Italian, Spanish or others for specialized fields

-Scholarships
-Charles Sibley Scholarship (Spring Semester, Annual)

-Scholarships via Honors College (Begins Sophomore Year)
http://www.odu.edu/ao/honors/about/scholarships.shtml

-Undergraduate Research Grant (April 15th Deadline)
http://www.odu.edu/ao/honors/academics/research.shtml

-Undergraduate Research Symposium (February 11th and 12th, 2011)
-Excellent opportunity to present research, build c.v.
http://www.odu.edu/ao/honors/academics/research/symposium.shtml
-Further opportunity to publish paper online via the Undergraduate Research Journal
http://www.odu.edu/ao/honors/academics/research/undergrad_research_journal.shtml

-Undergraduate Art History Courses
-Take courses from as many different faculty as possible, both to broaden your knowledge and to help secure future letters of support (Museum course will require applications)

-Senior Thesis
-Choose to do one! Begin to think about this your Junior year. Fall of Senior year you take 498 (3 hrs of Research), and Spring of Senior year, you take 499 (3 hrs of Thesis Writing). This will result in the strongest possible writing sample and helps augment your c.v. even further.

-Internships (Summer, Semester, or Year)
-Choose to do one! Can be done in conjunction with your Senior Thesis. Possible locations nearby include: The Chrysler Museum of Art; The Peninsula Fine Arts Center; Contemporary Art Center of Virginia; The Mariner's Museum; Portsmouth Community Art Center; Charles Taylor Art Center; The Seldon Gallery; Colonial Williamsburg; and Jamestown. Also consider museums in Richmond and of course in D.C. Contact Art History Faculty to help you apply.

Career Paths After ODU:

-Academia
-Typically involves earning an M.A. and a Ph.D. over 6-10 years. To be competitive for admission: Strong GRE scores, strong writing sample, strong letters of recommendation, focused course of study. Consult CAA Graduate Programs in Art History on reserve in Art Library.

-Museums / Galleries / Libraries
-Many different opportunities, from Curator, Conservationist, Educator, Librarian, etc. Often involves a graduate degree depending on chosen field (M.A., M.L.S., Ed.M., MBA, etc.).

-Professional Art Associations
-Possibilities include everything from clerical to administrative work. May also be a good pathway to other careers in the arts.
-http://www.collegeart.org/ -(the largest art organization in the country)

-Visual Resources
-See the Visual Resources Association at http://www.vra.org. B.A. in Art History.

-Arts Administration
-Management careers in the "creative sector." http://www.artsadministration.org/grad

-Auction Houses
-Opportunities in connoisseurship, marketing and other aspects of the field (certificate or M.A.). http://www.christieseducation.com/, http://www.sothebysinstitute.com/

-Art Festivals
-Often good opportunities for part-time work and a variety of experiences on an annual basis.

-Art Insurance
-Work as an adjuster / appraiser,e.g.: http://www.fineartspecialists.info/Home_Page.html

-Governmental Art Organizations
-From the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Park Services, Museums, and a host of organizations and societies. The FBI has an Art Crime Team. Browse opportunities at: http://www.usajobs.gov.

-Academic Publishing
-working for a scholarly / university press as an editor, etc., would be an excellent experience, giving you many transferable skills.

-Grant-Writing
-There are many grant-writing agencies, in the university, for non-profits, etc.

Additional Resources

http://www.scrippscollege.edu/students/career/planning/art-history.php
-(a very useful site with skill lists, career paths and links to organizations)

http://www.du.edu/art/undergraduate/careers.htm
-(a good list of career paths, including what to do with art history degrees in conjunction with other fields of study)

http://www.nd.edu/~crosenbe/jobs.html
-(lots of good links and information on career options)

http://www.ecampustours.com/NR/rdonlyres/1129529B-D061-456C-BD2A-AC31CADBF74E/0/art.pdf
-(a table with potential employers and strategies for being competitive)