Many people have a creative passion but are hesitant to enter an artistic field, instead opting to pursue jobs that seem more stable and reliable. But fear not: There are several jobs for creative people that come with 40-hour workweeks, high earning potential, job security and 401(k)s.
Maybe you have a love of film, an eye for design or a flair for the written word. You could be interested in video games, music or painting. Whatever the case may be, there are plenty of opportunities that allow you to pursue your passion and offer stability at the same time.
These are just some of the best full-time jobs for creative people to flex their skills in 2024.
Museum Educator, Curator or Director
Museums are the natural homes for art and inspiration, which makes them a natural workplace for artists. It’s not just painters, sculptors and other artists who make museums worthwhile, though. Museum curators and directors are in charge of acquiring items, arranging exhibits and presenting information to patrons. These roles help shape the entire museum experience and tell the stories of art, history and the natural world. And yes, they have full-time positions!
If you’re a creative person who would like to break into the museum world, there are many types of graduate degrees to consider. Many museums have an educational component, whether they’re centered on history or children’s learning and development. The Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology (LDT) online program from USC Rossier School of Education can augment your undergraduate degree, allowing you to blend your creativity with learning design.
Artist Manager
Not everyone wants to be a musician, actor or artist, even if they enjoy being in the creative field. Being a manager for artists is a great job for creative people, because it allows you stay in the orbit of other creatives, all while making a difference and earning a stable income.
In this role, you can help hone someone else’s creativity and build their artistic output, all while collecting a consistent paycheck. You do need more than a discerning eye to be an effective manager, though.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) online program from USC Marshall School of Business can teach you how to handle finances and the intricacies of contracts, run negotiations and network, all skills needed to succeed in this job. Or, since you’re bound to run into legal issues in the entertainment industry, you can get an Entertainment Law and Industry Certificate online to empower you to handle everything from copyright and trademark matters to working with guilds.
Social Media Coordinator
If you have a gift for visuals, that can translate into a full-time position as a social media coordinator. People may joke about social media interns. But the reality is that major corporations hire experienced professionals to run their Instagram, X and TikTok accounts. It’s the perfect job for someone creative, requiring you to write clever captions, take appealing photos and videos, experiment with different formats and brainstorm brand strategy.
If this speaks to you, the Master of Science in Digital Media Management (MSDMM) online program from USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism teaches digital media best practices that can boost your social media management skills. Or, if you want to expand your public relations knowledge, learn about building brand relationships with influencers and get insights into social media advertising, consider the Master of Science in Public Relations Innovation, Strategy and Management (MSPRISM) online program from USC Annenberg.
Graphic Designer
Businesses need artists on hand all workweek to transform their visions into a reality. This is where graphic designers come in. Graphic designers use visuals to communicate business ideas — think logos, adverts, packaging, merch, websites and more. This kind of role is a good fit for artists who want a solid nine-to-five and consistent salary in addition to using their creative skills.
However, it usually takes more than talent for design to break into this field. The Master of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology (MSIDBT) online program from USC Iovine and Young Academy doesn’t just give you the tools to create unique digital visuals. It also helps you learn how to tell stories with marketing and harness the communication skills necessary to thrive in a corporate environment.
Video Game Designer
Video games are art forms, too — making video game design an excellent choice when it comes to jobs for creative people. Putting a video game together requires extensive storyboarding, world-building and design, as well as working closely with other creative individuals like voice actors. So, the companies behind these games need people who can craft compelling story arcs and intriguing visuals to make games people want to play!
If you’re a creative person who enjoys video gaming, an MSDMM degree will also help you level up in the industry. Alumni say the highly customizable degree helped connect them with the Trojan network and get a foot in the gaming world.
Industrial Designer
People rarely talk about industrial designers, but they’re responsible for most of our day-to-day experiences. Your car, workplace, furniture, home appliances — industrial designers had a hand in all of them. This profession develops the concept behind everyday products to ensure comfort, affordability, safety, aesthetics and other important qualities are prioritized before they are mass-produced and sold to the public. It’s a role that requires both creativity and logic, imagination and practicality.
To get hired by a top company, you’ll likely want a degree that reflects those skills, such as the MSIDBT online program. There, you can learn both the hard and soft skills that go into a development role like this one.
Creative Director
Maybe you’ve dreamed of picking up a camera and directing an incredible movie, but you’re daunted by the barriers to getting even a short film made on your own. It’s okay if the uncertainty and difficulty of becoming a director has turned you off from the idea, but, if you truly love filming, there are other options. For example, you could turn your gift for storytelling and cinematic flair into a job as a creative director.
Creative directors head up all kinds of projects — film, digital and print — for corporations. Their work includes marketing campaigns, video shoots, fashion lines and more. The creative director functions much like the director behind a movie would: They craft and execute a vision, managing staff, budgets, timelines and client relationships along the way. There are several different master’s degrees that can help you prepare for this kind of job. USC also offers online certificates in directing and screenwriting to boost your credentials for a creative director role.
Video Editor
Almost every company runs a marketing campaign at some point — and naturally, video editors are an essential part of the equation. This role is about stitching together a visual story and combining multimedia elements like video, animations, music and sound effects. It also requires you to enact a creative vision, from storyboarding to scripting to the final product.
If you’re talented at editing and enjoy working with video, this could be a good role for you. Consider looking into the MSIDBT online program from USC or the online certificate in directing to learn more of the skills necessary to break into this role.
Art Teacher
Behind every great artist is a great teacher. Many creatives turn to teaching at some point. Not only does it allow them to practice their craft and pass along their skills, but it also provides a steady income. Plus, being an impactful teacher is an art form all its own.
But teaching doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Just because you’re good at pottery or writing doesn’t mean you will instinctively know how to instruct somebody else on those things. USC Rossier offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) online program that can help students build the traits and instincts to become teachers who make a difference, as well as the institutional knowledge needed to work in an educational setting.