Reframing the Narrative: Why Arts Students Deserve a Seat at the Business Table

As an arts student with practical experience in communications, marketing, and management, I’ve often encountered the challenge of being overlooked for business internships simply because I don’t have a business degree. This recurring pattern is something I’ve noticed not just in my own search, but across the arts community as a whole.

Let me be clear: this post is not meant to bash business degrees. They offer critical knowledge and are an essential part of many professional pathways. I fully recognize the value of business education, and I believe every student—no matter their major—should consider taking business courses to complement their studies. However, it’s also clear that the gap between arts and business programs creates a barrier for many students like me who have the hands-on experience and skills but are often overlooked due to our academic backgrounds.

Although I don’t hold a formal business degree, I’m currently pursuing a Business Certificate alongside my studies. Despite this, I’ve found that when recruiters don’t see “business” under my main degree title, it feels as though I’m no longer considered a fit for roles in business settings, even though I have the practical experience. I’ve gained valuable skills in content creation, marketing, social media strategy, and event coordination. These experiences have helped me develop a strong skill set in areas like creative problem-solving, communication, and leadership, which are essential in today’s workforce. Yet, breaking into business roles continues to be a challenge due to the degree title mismatch.

I’ve had conversations with other arts students, and many of us feel as though our experience is undervalued in business-related fields simply because we don’t have that traditional business degree. From creative problem-solving to strong communication, and from project management to leadership, these are all essential competencies that businesses need in today’s workforce. Yet, they are often underappreciated simply because they don’t neatly fit within the framework of a “business degree.”

Additionally, I recognize that we are currently living in a particularly difficult time for finding jobs and internships, especially in Canada’s job market and economy. With rising inflation, shifting employment trends, and ongoing economic uncertainty, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for students to secure roles in many industries. The number of applicants is higher than ever, and employers are faced with an overwhelming number of qualified candidates. It’s a tough landscape for everyone—whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time or looking for a new position. This makes it all the more crucial to ensure that diverse candidates, including those from the arts community, are given the fair chance to prove their potential.

There’s a growing need for more support in helping students in arts degrees find pathways into industries where their skills are just as valuable as those learned in traditional business programs. Speaking from personal experience, there is a noticeable disparity in resources and support for arts students compared to those in more mainstream programs like business, sciences, and engineering, even though arts programs are growing significantly. Arts students often lack sufficient "ins" to access roles in these industries, and we need more opportunities to bridge this gap. Universities should provide more targeted mentorship programs, internships, and cross-disciplinary collaborations to help arts students transition into these spaces. The reality is that the skills cultivated in arts programs—creativity, strategic thinking, and communication—are essential for success in fields like marketing, management, and communications, even if they aren’t always recognized at first glance.

To recruiters: I encourage you to look beyond the degree title. While a business degree may provide useful foundational knowledge, it doesn’t capture the breadth of practical experience, leadership, and innovative ideas that candidates from the arts bring to the table.

To fellow arts students in a similar position, I urge you to continue promoting yourself confidently. Highlight your work, build portfolios, take additional certifications, and showcase your hands-on experience. Your creative skills are valuable, and there are countless industries in need of the fresh perspective we bring.