Careers
With approximately 10,000 for-profit and nonprofit organizations in the U.S. generating more than $13 billion in annual revenue, there’s opportunity in the performing arts. Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers as professional artists, performers, choreographers, community organizers and activists, theater technicians, educators, carpenters, arts fundraisers, and more.
The connections and relationships I made at USF are really what got me started after graduating. Besides the great range of learning opportunities that encourage student agency & exploration, the professors in my department were incredibly supportive resources that helped point me in the right direction for where I wanted to go."
Felicitas Fischer ’19
Fields of Employment
a partial list:
- Professional Performer
- Choreographer
- Director
- Recording Artist
- Education/Outreach Coordinators
- MA/MFA Graduate Students
- Theater Technicians
- Development Directors/Program Managers
- Community Art Facilitators
- Teaching Artists/Activists
How did your USF education prepare you to do your work?
"My education at USF, and specifically as a member of the PASJ program, taught me the importance of collaboration, experimentation, and advocacy within the arts. As an artist, I strive to promote diverse and underrepresented voices, to create work in collaboration with community members, and to facilitate opportunities for future performers and writers. My time in PASJ laid the foundation for me to achieve these goals." — Matthew Morishige ’17
Employers
a partial list:
- Academy of Art University
- ACX Audiobook Creation Exchange
- Belmar
- Betfair US TVG Network
- Design Within Reach
- Imagination Theatre
- Improbable Stage Company
- Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
- Marin Ballet Co.
- Rehabilitation Through the Arts
- San Francisco Art Commission
- San Francisco Arts Education Project
- Secession Art & Design
- Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- Sony Independent
- The Young Agency
- Theatre of Yugen
- Upward Bound
- Van Houten Music
- WNYC FM
What's the Secret Sauce?
"Follow your gut, don’t be afraid of making mistakes and make plenty of them (be humble enough to know you’re not perfect). Meet people in your desired career area – learn from them and don’t be afraid to reach out for opportunities respectfully. Once you’re in the door, always give and become indispensably useful. Practice your craft and realize there’s never a peak if you keep improving slowly, because sustainability is better than burnout. Don’t be focused on solely what you want/need – instead, find ways to help others. Consistency is the secret sauce." — Jaime Serra dos Santos ’19
Where Are They Now?
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July 19, 2023 -
February 1, 2019 -
November 2, 2018
Career Planning & Preparation
Take advantage of internships, mentorships, resume writing and interview skills workshops… the list goes on.