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Arts, Design and Communication Roadmaps

Career Exploration Roadmap Guide by Industry

*This list is not meant to be an exhaustive list of Industries and/or careers. This is meant to be a guide for exploration. Career and Professional Development (CPD) does not endorse any of the listed employers over employers. This is a list of examples.

What this path is great for: Students who enjoy storytelling through objects and spaces, research, visual analysis, and creating meaningful public experiences.

Key Skills to Build Early:

  • Research and writing
  • Visual analysis
  • Archival tools/databases
  • Public speaking
  • Exhibit or portfolio development

Keywords for Resumes, LinkedIn and Job Searches:

  • Curation, Collections Management, Exhibition Design
  • Archival Research, Cataloging, Preservation
  • Arts Administration, Public Programming
  • Visual Analysis, Art Handling, Museum Education

Sample Career Path Interest in Arts → Museum Intern → Curatorial Assistant → Curator / DirectorCoordinator → Program Director

Entry Points

  • Museum Intern
  • Gallery Intern
  • Curatorial Intern

Early Career Roles

  • Curatorial Assistant
  • Collections Assistant
  • Gallery Coordinator

Long-Term Roles

  • Curator
  • Museum Director
  • Cultural Heritage Specialist

Sample Employers

  • Smithsonian
  • MoMA
  • Regional Museums

What this path is great for: Students motivated by helping others, creating impact, and working in mission-driven environments.

Key Skills to Build Early:

  • Program Planning
  • Grant writing
  • Outreach & Facilitation
  • Data Tracking
  • Cultural Competency

Keywords for Resumes, LinkedIn and Job Searches:

  • Program Development, Community Outreach, Facilitation
  • Grant Writing, Fundraising, Impact Assessment
  • Curriculum Design, Stakeholder Engagement
  • Nonprofit Operations, Advocacy

Sample Career Path Community Interest → Program Intern → Program Coordinator → Program Director

Entry Points

  • Program Intern
  • Grant Writing Intern
  • Outreach Intern

Early Career Roles

  • Program Assistant
  • Education Coordinator

Long-Term Roles

  • Program Manager
  • Nonprofit Director

Sample Employers

  • Nonprofits
  • Foundations

What this path is great for: Students who love storytelling, fast-paced environments, and creative collaboration.

Key Skills to Build Early:

  • Video/audio editing
  • Writing & Storytelling
  • Portfolio/reel
  • Production Workflows

Keywords for Resumes, LinkedIn and Job Searches:

  • Video Production, Editing, Storyboarding
  • Scriptwriting, Content Creation, Post-Production
  • Audio Production, Broadcasting, Digital Media
  • Talent Coordination, Creative Development

Sample Career Path Creative Interest → Production Intern → Production Assistant → Producer/Director

Entry Points

  • Production Intern
  • Editorial Intern

Early Career Roles

  • Production Assistant
  • Assistant Editor

Long-Term Roles

  • Producer
  • Director

Sample Employers

  • Netflix, Broadway
  • NPR

What this path is great for: Students who enjoy storytelling, branding, and understanding audiences.

Key Skills to Build Early:

  • Copywriting
  • Social media strategy
  • Analytics tools
  • Content Creation

Keywords for Resumes, LinkedIn and Job Searches:

  • Content Strategy, Copywriting, Brand Management
  • Social Media Analytics, Campaign Management
  • Public Relations, Media Outreach
  • SEO, Digital Marketing, Audience Engagement

Sample Career Path: Brand Interest → Marketing Intern → Coordinator → Brand Manager

Entry Points

  • Marketing Intern
  • PR Intern

Early Career Roles

  • Marketing Assistant
  • Social Media Coordinator

Long-Term Roles

  • Brand Manager
  • Marketing Director

Sample Employers

  • Agencies
  • Corporate Brands

What this path is great for: Students who enjoy solving problems creatively with technology.

Key Skills to Build Early:

  • UX/UI tools
  • Portfolio
  • User Research
  • Basic Coding

Keywords for Resumes, LinkedIn and Job Searches:

  • UX/UI Design, Prototyping, Wireframing
  • User Research, Interaction Design
  • Data Visualization, Front-End Development
  • Human-Centered Design, Product Thinking

Sample Career Path Design Interest → UX Intern → Designer → Product Lead

Entry Points

  • UX Intern
  • Design Intern

Early Career Roles

  • UX Designer
  • Product Designer

Long-Term Roles

  • Design Director

Sample Employers

  • Google
  • Apple

What this path is great for: Students interested in shaping physical environments and sustainability.

Key Skills to Build Early:

  • CAD/Revit
  • Portfolio
  • Spatial Thinking

Keywords for Resumes, LinkedIn and Job Searches:

  • CAD, Revit, SketchUp, BIM
  • Space Planning, Urban Design
  • Sustainable Design, LEED
  • Site Analysis, Construction Documentation

Sample Career Path Design Interest → Intern → Assistant → Architect

Entry Points

  • Architecture Intern
  • Landscape Architecture Intern

Early Career Roles

  • Architectural Assistant
  • Junior Designer

Long-Term Roles

  • Architect
  • Interior Designer

Sample Employers

  • Gensler
  • HOK

What this path is great for: Students interested in trends, business, and consumer behavior.

Key Skills to Build Early:

  • Data Analysis
  • Sales
  • Merchandising

Keywords for Resumes, LinkedIn and Job Searches:

  • Merchandising, Inventory Management
  • Retail Operations, Sales Strategy
  • Consumer Insights, Trend Analysis
  • Supply Chain, Product Development

Sample Career Path Retail Interest → Intern → Assistant Buyer → Buyer

Entry Points

  • Merchandising Intern
  • Buying Intern

Early Career Roles

  • Assistant Buyer
  • Retail Buying Assistant

Long-Term Roles

  • Brand Manager
  • Visual Merchandiser

Sample Employers

  • Target
  • Nike

What this path is great for: Students who enjoy planning experiences and working with people.

Key Skills to Build Early:

  • Event Planning
  • Customer Service
  • Logistics

Keywords for Resumes, LinkedIn and Job Searches:

  • Event Planning, Logistics Coordination
  • Guest Services, Vendor Management
  • Event Marketing, Budget Management
  • Hospitality Operations

Sample Career Path Event Interest → Intern → Coordinator → Manager

Entry Points

  • Event Intern

Early Career Roles

  • Event Coordinator

Long-Term Roles

  • Event Director

Sample Employers

  • Marriott
  • Hilton

What this path is great for: Students passionate about helping others and improving health.

Key Skills to Build Early:

  • Communication
  • Documentation
  • Data Tracking

Keywords for Resumes, LinkedIn and Job Searches:

  • Patient Care Coordination, Health Communication
  • Clinical Documentation, Compliance
  • Public Health Outreach, Data Tracking
  • Healthcare Operations

Sample Career Path Creative Interest → Production Intern → Production Assistant → Producer/Director

Entry Points

  • Health Intern

Early Career Roles

  • Coordinator

Long-Term Roles

  • Administrator

Sample Employers

  • Hospital Systems

What this path is great for: Students who value flexibility, autonomy, and building their own path.

Key Skills to Build Early:

  • Portfolio and branding
  • Client Communication
  • Time management
  • Business Basics

Keywords for Resumes, LinkedIn and Job Searches:

  • Client Management, Personal Branding
  • Contract Negotiation, Project Management
  • Content Creation, Digital Marketing
  • Entrepreneurship, Business Development

Sample Career Path Skill → Freelance → Clients → Business Owner

Entry Points

  • Freelance Assistant

Early Career Roles

  • Freelance Designer

Long-Term Roles

  • Creative Director

Sample Employers

  • Upwork
  • Fiverr