What can you do with an arts degree?
'There’s still this outdated idea that an arts degree isn’t career-focused. But the data tells a different story,' says Professor Simon Tormey, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Education at Deakin University.
Deakin’s latest arts graduates’ careers study – one of the largest of its kind by an Australian university – analysed the careers of nearly 10,000 Bachelor of Arts and combined arts graduates. Using publicly available LinkedIn data, cross-checked with Deakin records, the findings help answer a question that’s often asked: what can you do with an arts degree?
What the career data reveals
Key findings from the careers of Deakin arts graduates:
- One in four hold leadership or management roles.
- One in 10 are chief executives or managing directors.
- Graduates live and work in 82 countries.
- Graduates contribute across organisations of all sizes – from startups to global companies.
- Top employers span public companies, private firms and government agencies.
Top five industries employing Deakin arts graduates:
- Education and training – from teaching and curriculum design to educational leadership.
- Professional, scientific and technical services – including consulting, analytics, market research and UX.
- Information media and telecommunications – covering digital content, journalism and media production.
- Public administration and safety – where policy, strategy and societal impact meet.
- Health care and social assistance – including advocacy, strategy, community services and care.
Read the arts graduates careers report
View the Deakin Arts Graduates Careers Report (PDF, 8.1MB) in your browser for full insights, including top occupations by industry and occupations for most popular majors.
One in four Deakin arts graduates hold leadership roles and one in 10 are chief executives or managing directors. It’s proof that an arts degree from Deakin launches careers with purpose, adaptability and global reach.
Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education, Deakin University
What the findings tell us – and why they matter
Professor Tormey welcomes the findings, emphasising: 'One in four Deakin arts graduates hold leadership roles and one in 10 are chief executives or managing directors. It’s proof that an arts degree from Deakin launches careers with purpose, adaptability and global reach.'
He continues: 'In a world increasingly shaped by AI, automation and global disruption, human skills matter more than ever. Arts graduates bring these to the table – with the ability to navigate complexity, apply ethical judgement and work across disciplines.'
Professor Tormey affirms the value of an arts education in preparing students to be confident, capable and career ready. 'Our graduates not only gain specialised knowledge; they develop the meta-skills required to navigate, connect and thrive across the increasingly fluid lines of contemporary work.'
Building a global career, one bold step at a time
When asked what set the direction for his career, Deakin arts graduate Michael Filius doesn’t hesitate, 'Joining Deakin’s Study Abroad Program was the turning point,' he says. 'Living and learning overseas pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. It sparked a long-term drive to explore international opportunities and build a global career.'
His Indonesian culture and language major helped set the tone for everything that followed. A Bachelor of Arts/Commerce graduate, Michael has led cross-cultural teams and tech ventures across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Skills that set arts graduates apart
'Commerce gave me a solid business foundation, but arts gave me an edge,' Michael says. 'It taught me how to communicate, think critically and adapt – skills I use daily, whether presenting in a Middle Eastern boardroom or launching a startup in Europe.'
Michael credits his arts studies with helping him approach complexity with curiosity, lead in diverse settings and stay grounded in unfamiliar situations. 'My arts degree taught me how to read a room, pick up on context and adapt quickly,' he reflects. 'That ability to understand different perspectives has been a big part of making it work.'
And to those questioning the value of an arts degree, Michael shares, 'It might be seen as the ‘safe’ option, but I found it to be quite the opposite. It gave me the confidence to make bigger, more courageous moves later in life.'
Michael is now based in the United Arab Emirates as Director of Commercial Operations at e& (Etisalat and), a global technology group committed to advancing the digital future across markets in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe.
It might be seen as the ‘safe’ option, but I found it to be quite the opposite. It gave me the confidence to make bigger, more courageous moves later in life.
Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Arts graduate and Director Commercial Operations e& United Arab Emirates
So why choose a Deakin arts degree?
'It’s a degree that prepares you for whatever’s next,' says Dr Petra Brown, Director of the Bachelor of Arts. 'You’ll build core skills like critical thinking, creative problem solving, communication and cultural insight – and be ready to step into fast-moving industries full of opportunity. There’s flexibility to shape your degree around what matters to you, and your major gives you specialist knowledge to complement your transferable skills.'
Dr Brown also highlights the unique employability stream, built into the course to prepare students for their future career from day one: 'You won’t just learn – you’ll apply what you know through real experiences. From opportunities for internships and collaborative projects, you can build your professional identity and entrepreneurial mindset.'
We invite you to read the report. It’s proof that when you study what you love, you can work in meaningful roles with impact.
View the 2025 Deakin Arts Graduates Careers Report (PDF, 8.1MB)
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
