Furthering Education Guide: Graduate & Professional Schools, Fellowships, Art Residencies, & GAP Years (Tailored to the Creative Arts, Media & Marketing Career Cluster)
Introduction:
This guide is your one-stop spot for everything related to further education in the creative arts, media, and marketing fields. Whether you’re just starting to wonder if grad school is right for you, exploring residencies or fellowships, polishing your personal statement, or figuring out how to network with alumni, you’ll find helpful resources here. Think of it like a menu—scan through the sections and pick the areas where you need the most support right now. You don’t have to read it all at once; use it when you’re ready, and come back as your questions evolve.
How to use this guide:
- Skim the different sections to see where you are in the process (exploring options, preparing applications, or looking at alternatives like residencies and fellowships).
- Dive into the section that fits your current needs—you’ll find tips, tools, and credible links all in one spot.
- When you’re ready for extra guidance, scroll to the bottom for career support pathways and ways to connect with a Career Consultant.
Considering Further Education:
Commonly asked questions when considering graduate and/or professional school: https://careertools.binghamton.edu/channels/considering-further-education/
Exploring, Opportunities, and Application Materials/Strategies:
| Category | Resource | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| Explore career fit | Peterson’s – A Guide for Potential Grad Students: Should You Go To Graduate School? – January 3, 2018 by Staff Writer | Several sections, including: 20 reasons to go to graduate school 15 reasons to not go to graduate school |
| Explore career fit | OOH – Field of Degree | “Field of degree (FOD) pages highlight data and information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau for a variety of academic fields.” – OOH |
| Explore career fit | Entry-Level Education: Doctoral Degree (OOH) | Occupations filtered by education levels |
| Explore career fit | Entry-Level Education: Master’s Degree (OOH) | Occupations filtered by education levels |
| Explore career fit | Art & Design (OOH) | Career outlook, pay, and typical paths for art & design fields. |
| Explore career fit | Media & Communication (OOH) | Snapshot of communications roles including pay, job outlook, and skills. |
| Explore career fit | Entertainment & Sports (OOH) | Job trends and requirements for creative/entertainment careers. |
| Explore career fit | Sales (OOH) | Info on career progression and opportunities in sales occupations. |
| Find programs | Peterson’s Grad School Search Tool | Find graduate programs with their search engine |
| Find programs | The Art Career Project: ART SCHOOLS Animation Schools Fashion Design Schools Film Schools Game Art & Design Schools Graphic Design Schools Illustration Schools Interior Design Schools Photography Schools | Browse art/creative program options and related career paths. |
| Find programs | 10 Schools That Will Make Every Artist’s Heart Go Pitter-pat | Whether it’s commerical art, fine art, performing art, or another artistic field, chances are you’ll find it at one of these awe-inspiring schools. |
| Find programs | Directory of Museum Studies and Related Programs | AAM “Thinking of a career in museums? Want to advance your career? The Alliance’s searchable directory can help you find the program that’s right for you.” |
| Find programs | Film Schools & Colleges in the United States | “Trying to find the best film schools in the US? Take a look at some schools you might want to consider.” |
| Find programs | Eastern US Music Schools | Directory of music programs in the Eastern United States. |
| Organize programs | Graduate School Selection Guide | A worksheet to compare graduate programs and align them with your goals. |
| Talk to people & network | Networking Questions Guide | Sample questions to ask alumni, employers, or faculty when exploring paths. |
| Talk to people & network | Mentor Match | Connect with Binghamton alumni and mentors in creative arts, media, and marketing. |
| Prepare for events | Graduate School Fair & Law Day Tips | Strategies to make a strong impression at graduate/professional school events. |
| Category | Resource | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| Alternatives | Artist Residencies: A Guide for Creative Career Exploration — This resource was developed from the resources and insights shared from the School of Arts faculty/staff | Residency directory + definition of residencies. |
| Alternatives | ProFellow — Shared by Jessica Lane-Rwabukwisi PoFellow Newsletter How to Know You’re a Good Fit for a Fellowship or Graduate Program Application Tips | Database of professional and creative fellowships. Newsletter: Get Early Career Opportunities Straight to Your Inbox Designed for college students and young professionals, ProFellow’s Early Career newsletter sends you open calls for applications for fellowships and leadership programs, trending articles, event announcements, and free application resources to launch your career adventure. Deciding: Find a breakdown of varying factors to consider when choosing to invest in a fellowship or graduate program Application Tips: Find articles by members of ProFellow community on how to prepare for the intense application process to fellowships, graduate schools and awards. |
| Alternatives | Fellowships for Artists Supportive Article: Beyond the Starving Artist: Navigating Fellowships in the Arts | Articles listing several fellowships related to different disciplines in the creative industry |
| Alternatives | Arts & Humanities, Liberal Arts — Shared by ESURC | Scholarships, Fellowships, Postdoctoral Research Awards for Students |
| Alternatives | Library Studies, Museums and History — Shared by ESURC | Financial Aid, Scholarships, Fellowships and Postdoctoral Research Awards for Students |
| Alternatives | Media/Communications Scholarships — Shared by ESURC | Curated list of scholarships and fellowships in communications fields. |
| Certifications | CareerOneStop Certification Finder — U.S. Dept. of Labor | Explore certifications across industries to build skills without a full degree. |
| International paths | Exploring International Careers & Studies — Support from Jessica and Ozzy | Resume/CV tips plus tools for study or work abroad |
| GAP Year | GoOverSeas: Gap Year Program Search | Go Overseas is here to take the guesswork out of finding the very best gap year programs. |
| GAP Year | GoAbroad: Gap Year Programs | Experience a year of growth! Spend your days exploring new places, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and meeting lifelong friends. |
| Category | Resource | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| Resumes/CVs | Career Support – Get Your Documents Reviewed Resume/CV Templates | Connect with our office via drop-ins or scheduled appointment |
| Personal Statements | See below | Tips and examples |
| Interview Prep | Big Interview (start here if you don’t have an account) Big Interview Admission Questions (if you are logged in, this will take you to these types of questions) | Go to ‘Practice’ and click ‘Practice Sets’ From there, choose the “Graduate School’ category to get tailored questions to practice and receive AI feedback instantly |
| Networking | See below | Tips and examples |
| Recommendations | Choosing Quality References | Tips for selecting strong recommenders and requesting references. |
| Test prep | Peterson’s Test & Career Prep — Shared by Aly Peterson’s Test Prep Articles | GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, and more—plus scholarship search tools. |
| Money matters | GradSchools.com – A Resource for Grad School Information | GradSchools.com can be especially valuable for students when used as an information hub rather than a program-search engine. |
| Money matters | Financial Literacy Channel — Binghamton (Michael Wan) | Tools and advice for financial planning during further education. |
| Money matters | Petersons Scholarship Finder Tool Peterson Funding Articles | Find the right scholarship, grant, or award for you |
| Money matters | U.S.News: 5 Ways to Get More Money From Your Grad School By Anayat Durrani | Seek additional funding by having an honest and polite conversation with your top-choice program. |
| After a setback | Requesting Feedback After a Job, Internship, or Graduate School Rejection | Steps for professionally reaching out after a grad/professional school rejection. |
Before using this template, start by exploring the department’s website. Many programs already have a dedicated “Request Information” form, a way to connect directly with faculty or current students, or instructions for arranging a visit. If you don’t see those options, check the department’s “Contact” page, often you’ll find an administrative assistant or a general office email listed. You can use this template as a professional way to reach out, request more information, and hopefully connect with the right person to learn more about the program.
Subject: Quick question about [Program Name] at [University]
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I’m currently a [your year/status] at Binghamton University majoring in [major]. I’m very interested in the [Full Program Name] at [University Name] and am hoping to learn more as I consider applying.
Would there be an opportunity to speak with someone about the program, connect with current students or faculty, or arrange a virtual/in‑person visit? I’m especially interested in [brief area of interest].
I’ve reviewed the website, but I’d appreciate the chance to ask a few questions and get a better sense of the community and academic environment. Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[LinkedIn URL or portfolio]
One of the most powerful (and often overlooked) features on LinkedIn is the Alumni Tool. It allows you to see where graduates of a school live, work, and what they studied — and gives you the chance to connect with them for insider insights about a program you’re considering. Here’s how to use it:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Go to the LinkedIn search bar and type in the name of the school you’re interested in (even if it’s not your own).
- Select the correct school from the drop-down menu. Look for the official school page with the school’s thumbnail/logo and the label School.
- Click on the “Alumni” tab (usually located in the menu on the school’s LinkedIn page). You’ll see a number showing how many alumni are in LinkedIn’s database.
- Filter by your interests:
- Use the search keywords box to type in the program or field you’re considering.
- Or click the arrow to scroll through filter options, and use the filter by major tool. (Note: LinkedIn categories can be broad, so you may need to experiment with related terms.)
- You can also adjust the class year range to focus on recent grads or alumni further along in their careers.
- Review profiles: Not every profile will be complete, but browsing them will give you a sense of career paths from that program.
- Reach out to alumni: Once you find someone, send a brief, polite connection request or message. Ask if they’d be open to chatting about their experience in the program.
- Customize your search: The tool also allows you to filter by location, industry, and employer — helpful if you want to see where graduates are now working.
Why This Matters:
Networking conversations with alumni can provide insights you won’t find in brochures or on a school’s website. They can share what the program is really like, how it shaped their career, and whether it aligned with their goals.
Pro Tips:
When preparing your questions, think about your own values and how they connect to what you’re looking for in a graduate program. Use resources, like this guide, to crafting values-based questions to make the most of your conversations.
Your personal statement is more than just a required essay: it’s your chance to bring your application to life. Programs want to understand not only your qualifications but also your motivations, story, and vision for the future. A well-crafted statement should connect your past experiences with your future goals, while also reflecting your authentic voice.
Below are expert tips to guide your writing process.
Tips for Writing a Personal Statement
- Start early and plan for multiple drafts.
- Stay organized: highlight key parts of each prompt and address each one.
- Free-write first to get your story out; edit for length later
- Avoid clichés; be specific and genuine.
- Show, don’t just tell with concrete examples and reflection.
- Edit thoroughly for grammar, tone, structure, and word limits.
- Seek feedback from peers, mentors, faculty, or a career consultant.
Extra resources: Personal Statement Guides & Examples
| Title | Author/Source |
| 6 Tips for Writing a Graduate School Personal Statement | Indeed: Written by Jennifer Herrity |
| 9 Do’s and Don’ts of Writing Personal Statements | Indeed Editorial Team |
| How to Write a Good Personal Statement (With Examples) | Indeed: Written by Jennifer Herrity |
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 | Information about careers and education can vary depending on where you look. Try checking several websites and resources when researching anything related to your career development (for example: job outlooks, salaries, industry trends, graduate programs, or fellowships, etc.). This will help you get a fuller, more accurate picture of what employers or admissions committees are looking for. |
| Make Sure to Network | Talking directly with people associated with your career goals or the programs/companies you’re interested in can give you the clearest and most useful insights. Reach out to professionals, recruiters, alumni, or current students to learn what really matters in your field (for example: company expectations, hiring timelines, résumé preferences, graduate program requirements, etc.). Even within the same industry or graduate program type, different organizations and admissions committees may value things differently. Listening carefully to their guidance can help you put your best foot forward. |
| Use AI Ethically in Career Development | AI tools can be a great resource for brainstorming, polishing materials, or practicing interview questions (for example: outlining position description details to guide your documents, generating practice questions, etc.). But it works best when you use it thoughtfully and make sure the final work reflects your own skills and voice. Some employers and graduate programs may not allow AI, so always check instructions carefully. Think of AI as a helper, not a replacement—and remember, Career Consultants are happy to guide you on how to use it effectively! |
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.
- Occupation Outlook Handbook
- The Art Career Project
- ProFellow
- Indeed Career Guide (Articles by Indeed Editorial Team and Jennifer Herrity)
- Petersons
- CareerOneStop
- GoOverSeas: Gap Year Program Search
- GoAbroad: Gap Year Programs
Staff/Office Support: Thank you to everyone below for sharing resources, elevating the impact of this guide
- External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center
- The School of Arts
- Ozzy
- Jessica
- Chris Wandell
- Aly
- Michael Wan
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.
