Notice from the Center for Arts Education

Helping Your Child Explore Careers in the Arts:

In the 2005–20006 school year, the Center for Arts Education published five Career Development Curriculum Handbooks for students interested in careers in the arts. These Handbooks reflect established best practices in career development and offer smart activities and practical tips for parents and students exploring the many exciting career possibilities in the arts and arts-related industries:

"How Well Do You Know Yourself? Discover Your Strengths and Challenges"
Includes worksheets to help students learn more about their own communication styles, social values, and work values.

"The Career You’d Love to Have: What Jobs in the Arts Are Open to You?"
An overview of how to research various jobs in different fields, with lists of potential jobs in dance, literature and writing (including communication), media, music, theater, and visual arts (including design).

"Building Your Career Plan: First Steps That Can Lead to a Great Job"
Includes profiles of individuals with successful careers in the arts, a list of key life skills, and tools to help students identify their priorities and personal goals.

"How to Get the Job: Making the Job-Hunt Process Work for You"
Includes information about how to read help-wanted ads, draft a cover letter, develop a résumé, interview, and network.

"Your On-the-Job Survival Kit: How to Succeed in the Workplace"
Tips on navigating in the workplace, including understanding policies and procedures, negotiating conflicts and stressful situations (with an emphasis on body language and communication), and taking initiative.

The Handbooks are available online for use by any student, parent, teacher, or school counselor who wishes to take advantage of this resource. Download the CDP Handbooks.

For more information and resources, parents can also visit:
Your Child’s Career—A Website for Parents
U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Handbook
America’s Career Resource Network
U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Information Network-O*Net
America’s Career InfoNet
Job Shadowing
Mapping Your Future