Academic Majors & Career Outcomes Connected to: Creative Arts, Media, and Marketing at Binghamton University
Introduction:
Choosing a major is an important step in your college journey. While some majors have more specific career pathways, most open doors to a wide range of opportunities, especially when you consider the transferable skills you develop through coursework, campus involvement, and experiences outside the classroom. At the same time, it’s helpful to research whether certain employers or graduate programs do prefer (or require) specific majors.
Our office can support you in reflecting on your interests and skills to explore potential majors (note: specific class selection and registration is handled through academic advising), consider how your major connects with different industries, and learn how to articulate your skills effectively to future employers or graduate programs.
Below, you’ll find a table of Binghamton University majors related to the Creative Arts, Media, and Marketing Career Cluster, along with resources to explore each program, understand degree options, and research career outcomes.
Academic Majors & Career Outcomes:
The list below highlights Binghamton majors connected to the Creative Arts, Media, and Marketing Career Cluster. While many majors connect directly to creative arts, media, and marketing, others link through communications, cultural perspectives, or transferable skills that are highly valued in these industries. This table is designed to help you explore each program from multiple angles:
- Major (linked to department website): Learn more about program details, requirements, and faculty.
- Degree(s) Offered: See what credential(s) you can earn (BA, BS, BFA, etc.).
- Outcomes Tool: Explore data from the Senior Survey, showing where graduates reported going after Binghamton.
- LinkedIn Alumni Tool: Search thousands of alumni profiles, filterable by major, employer, location, and industry, to see career paths and build connections.
- The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) – Relevant Fields of Degree Pages: The OOH’s Field of Degree pages can be a great way to learn how your academic major connects to a wide range of potential careers.
Together, these resources give you a well-rounded view of how majors connect with different career outcomes. Use them to research, test ideas, and build confidence in your decisions.
If you’d like to explore these tools without filters for Creative Arts, Media, and Marketing, here are the direct homepages so you can customize your search:
- Binghamton University Find Your Program
- Student Outcomes Tool
- LinkedIn Alumni Tool
- O*NET Online
- General Field of Degree Overview
- Coursera: What Should I Major In?
Tables:
| Major (linked to department website) | Degrees Offered | Outcomes Tool | LinkedIn Alumni Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art and Design | BFA in Art and Design (Drawing, Graphic Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture) BA in Art and Design (same tracks) Minors in Studio Art, Graphic Design, Art and Design | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Art History (UG) Art History (Grad) | BA in Art History (Architecture & Urban Studies); MA & PhD in Art History Minor in Art History | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Arts in Healthcare (Minor) | Minor in Arts in Healthcare | — | — |
| Cinema (UG) Cinema (MFA) | BA in Cinema MFA in Cinema Minor in Cinema | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Comparative Literature (UG) Comparative Literature (Grad) | BA, MA, PhD in Comparative Literature Minors in Comparative Literature, Translation Research and Instruction | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Digital and Data Studies (Minor) | Minor in Digital and Data Studies | — | — |
| History (UG) History (Grad) | BA in History MA & PhD in History Minor in History | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Music (UG) Music (Grad) | MusB in Music; BA in Music (Performance, Composition, Musicology) MM with 7 concentrations Minor in Music | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Musical Theatre | BFA in Musical Theatre | — | — |
| Theatre (UG) Theatre (MA) | BA in Theatre (Acting/Directing, Dance, Design/Technical) MA in Theatre Minor in Theatre | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Writing Studies (Minor) | Minor in Writing Studies | — | — |
| Business Administration (UG) MBA | BS in Business Administration (concentrations incl. Marketing); MBA | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Classical Studies | BA in Ancient Mediterranean Studies, Greek & Latin, Latin Minors in related areas Certificates | Outcomes | Alumni |
| English (UG) English (Grad) | BA in English (Creative Writing, Global Culture, Rhetoric) MA & PhD in English Minor in English | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Major (linked to department website) | Degrees Offered | Outcomes Tool | LinkedIn Alumni Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| French (UG) French (MA) | BA in French & Francophone Studies BA in French Language & Linguistics MA in French Minor in French | Outcomes | Alumni |
| German (UG) German Studies Certificate | BA in German Studies Minor in German Certificate in German Cultural Studies | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Italian (UG) Italian (MA) | BA in Italian MA in Italian Minor in Italian | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Israel Studies (Minor) | Minor in Israel Studies | — | — |
| Judaic & Hebrew Studies | BA in Judaic Studies BA in Hebrew Studies Minors in Hebrew & Judaic Studies | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Korean Studies | BA in Korean Studies Minor in Korean Studies | — | Alumni |
| Linguistics | BA in Linguistics Minor in Linguistics | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Middle East Studies | BA in Arabic Studies BA in Middle East Studies Minors in Arabic Studies & Middle East Studies | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Medieval & Early Modern Studies Certificate | BA in Medieval & Early Modern Studies Minor in Medieval Studies; Certificate in Medieval & Renaissance Studies | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Philosophy (UG) Philosophy (Grad) | BA in Philosophy MA & PhD in Philosophy (Social, Political, Ethical, Legal); Minor in Philosophy | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Russian Studies | BA in Russian Studies (Literary & Cultural Studies, Area Studies) Minor in Russian | Outcomes | Alumni |
| Spanish (UG) Spanish (MA) | BA in Spanish MA in Spanish Minor in Spanish | Outcomes | Alumni |
| TESOL (MA & Certificates) | MA in TESOL Certificate in Clinically Rich Intensive Teacher Institute in ESL (online) TESOL Advanced Certificate (online) | — | — |
Check out the resource below to learn how to reach out to alumni to network with them! This resource includes guidance for how to utilize Mentor Match and the LinkedIn Alumni Tool, as well as outreach templates and a networking checklist!
The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is one of the most reliable and widely used career-research tools in the country. It offers accurate, regularly updated information on job outlook, skills, education pathways, and career trajectories.
For students exploring Creative Arts, Media, and Marketing fields, the OOH’s Field of Degree pages can be a great way to learn how your academic major connects to a wide range of potential careers. This resource provides a curated list of the most relevant degree fields for this cluster, each linking directly to the appropriate OOH page.
If you’d like to explore the OOH further, you may find these especially helpful:
- OOH FAQs – Overview of what the handbook includes and how to use it.
- General Field of Degree Overview – Provides their full list of fields of degrees.
- How to Find a Job Using the OOH – Guidance on using OOH pages during the job search.
| Degree Field | Link |
|---|---|
| Communications | Read here |
| Communications Technology | Read here |
| English | Read here |
| Fine Arts | Read here |
| Foreign Language | Read here |
| Library Science | Read here |
| Recreation & Fitness | Read here |
Career Services & Academic Department Support:
While the table provides a strong academic starting point, we can also support you with broader exploration:
- Deciding on a Major (career side): If you want to explore your interests and how they connect to majors or careers (note: choosing specific classes is supported by Academic Advising).
- Identifying Career Options: We can help you explore possible paths that interest you and work backward to see which majors support them.
- Exploring What You Can Do With Your Major: Learn how your skills connect to different industries and opportunities.
- Networking Support: We can help you connect with alumni and professionals in fields that interest you. See our Networking Guide.
- Making Meaning of Your Coursework: Our career workbook helps you identify transferable skills and think about how they connect to both major and career decisions. (See also our Exploring Interests and Careers webpage)
- Academic Reflective Activities: Pages 18-21
- Attend Drop-ins or Schedule an Appointment for Career Support Around Any of This: Services Details
Faculty and staff are excellent resources when exploring majors. They can help you:
- Understand the structure of the curriculum (e.g., is it reading-heavy, project-based, performance-focused?).
- Learn what makes the department unique and how they support students.
- Hear directly from current majors or ambassadors.
Most departments have a “Contact Us” page where you can start with the general office email. Unless there’s a specific address listed for prospective students, use that general email to introduce yourself. Don’t hesitate to reach out! Faculty and students are usually excited to share their passion for the program.
Here are a few sample questions you might ask faculty or department staff:
- What kinds of skills do students typically develop in this program?
- How are courses structured (discussion-based, lectures, labs, projects)?
- What kinds of opportunities exist outside of class (performances, research, internships, exhibitions)?
- How do alumni from this program typically use their degree after graduation?
- Are there students or ambassadors in the department I could talk with about their experiences?
Here’s a template you can customize when reaching out:
Subject: Interested in Learning More About [Major Name]
Dear [Department Name] Team,
My name is [Your Name], and I am a current [year at Binghamton, e.g., first-year/second-year] student who is considering majoring in [Major Name]. I am very interested in learning more about the program and how the curriculum is organized.
I would also love the chance to hear from current students in the major to get their perspective on the program and their experiences. If there are student ambassadors or others you recommend I connect with, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you very much for your time and guidance! I’m excited to learn more about [Major Name] and the opportunities it offers.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Binghamton Email Address]
Career Support & Sources:
As you explore this resource, we encourage you to take advantage of everything available to support your career journey. Below, you’ll find the sources and contributors that made this guide possible, multiple ways to connect with our office for personalized career support, and some important reminders to keep in mind as you plan your strategy. Be sure to check them out, and remember, our team is always here to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.
| Reminder | What This Means for You |
|---|---|
| Use Multiple Sources | Career information can vary depending on where you look. Compare several websites when researching job outlook, salaries, or industry trends. This helps you form a more accurate and well-rounded perspective. |
| Make Sure to Network | Even within the same industry, companies may have different expectations, hiring timelines, or preferences (for example, résumé length or recruiting cycles). Talking directly with professionals at the specific companies you’re targeting gives you the most reliable, tailored insights. |
| Use AI Ethically in Career Development | AI tools can be a powerful way to brainstorm ideas, polish materials, or practice interview questions—but only when used strategically. Always review and edit AI-generated content so it reflects your real skills and voice. Some employers prohibit AI use, and many notice when applicants rely on it too heavily. Treat AI as a support tool, not a shortcut. Career Consultants can help you learn best practices for using AI in your career journey. |
Drop-ins: When classes are in session, Monday-Friday, from 12-4 p.m., you can visit our office to schedule a 20-minute drop-in with our staff.
Appointments: You can schedule your 30-minute career session on Handshake. These are offered all year and can be done virtually and in person.
Online Resources: Visit uConnect, our virtual career center that is always accessible to support your career needs.
Picture Source: Gemini (AI-generated image by Google Gemini)
Website Sources: Special thanks to the organizations, industry experts, and thought leaders who share valuable career resources, research, and articles with the public. Your work provides important insights that support students’ career development.
- Binghamton University Find Your Program
- Student Outcomes Tool
- LinkedIn Alumni Tool
- O*NET Online
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/ooh-faqs.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/how-to-find-a-job/home.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/home.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/communications/communications-field-of-degree.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/communications-technology/communications-technology-field-of-degree.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/english/english-field-of-degree.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/fine-arts/fine-arts-field-of-degree.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/foreign-language/foreign-language-field-of-degree.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/library-science/library-science-field-of-degree.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/recreation-and-fitness/recreation-and-fitness-field-of-degree.htm
- Coursera: What Should I Major In?
Staff Support: Thank you to Mack and his team for all the work that went into the new outcomes tool!
AI Assistance: Portions of this resource may have been developed with support from AI tools (such as ChatGPT by OpenAI or Gemini), used to help synthesize research, generate summaries, and refine formatting. All final content has been reviewed and customized for Binghamton University students.
