Music Career Outlook
A program that focuses on the introductory study and appreciation of music and the performing arts. Includes instruction in music, dance, and other performing arts media. A degree in music can qualify individuals for a variety of occupations as well as further study in a graduate or professional program in law, education, or social work to name a few.
To find out more about your major including potential areas and employers, required skills, job outlook, and median pay, please access the Occupational Outlook Handbook or the O*Net website.
Career Outlook
Explore the subsections below to learn more about the potential skills a student with a music major can develop as well as the potential positions, areas, and employers that hire students with this degree. Please note that these are not exhaustive lists and should be used as a starting point.
Skills
As a music major, students may develop or advance skills including analytical, communication, research, critical thinking, social perception, writing, cross-cultural awareness, judgment, performance, performance review, decision making, advocacy and improvisation.
Positions
Graduates with a degree in music can work as arts administrators, band directors, music composers and arrangers, music producers, music therapists, music critics/reviewers, musicians, and singers.
Areas
Graduates with a degree in music can work within the following areas: education, broadcasting, journalism, human services, recording industry, publishing.
Employers
Graduates with a degree in music can work for conservatories, schools, colleges and universities, studios, orchestras -- philharmonic, symphony, chamber; clubs and restaurants, cruise lines, opera companies, musical theater companies, motion picture and television, music libraries.
Helpful Resources
Use the employment opportunity resources below to kickstart your preprofessional and or professional experience search. You may also identify a professional or student organization to join and network with individuals in your major and field. Please note that these are not exhaustive lists and should be used as a starting point.
- BMI
- Chicago Chamber Choir
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra
- Entertainment Careers and Internships
- Gravity Studios
- Landau Music
- Lyric Opera of Chicago
- Music Conservatory at Roosevelt University
- National Association for Music Education
- Sony Music
- Entertainment Careers Net
- Hypbot's Music Industry Jobs
- musicjobs
- Universal Music Group
- Yamaha
- American Association of Community Theatre
- American Federation of Musicians
- American Music Therapy Association
- Entertainment Industry Associations, Guilds and Unions
- Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association
- National Association for Music Education
- National Association of Record Industry Professionals
- Women in Music
Opportunities
Handshake
In addition to other employment opportunity websites, the Center for SUCCESS uses Handshake to share internships and jobs with students. Please explore the positions provided
in the automated feed below or click "View All" to explore positions in Handshake
using your major as a filter.
Although we attempt to screen all employers and positions, the Center for SUCCESS
and Saint Xavier University assume no liability for the accuracy of information shared
in this feed or through Handshake. The views and opinions shared by employers through
Handshake do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Center for SUCCESS
and Saint Xavier University.
Please Note: This feed may include positions not directly related to your major, as employers
have the option to assign all majors to posted roles. If you have any questions about
a particular employer or position, please contact centerforsuccessFREESXU.