Value of photography degree?

[jon ryan]

One of my distance learning students has asked whether going on to do a degree will help get work. My view is 'probably not' as people who employ photographers have little interest in anything but the final image. Can anyone point me to where I may be able to find out roughly what proportion of photography graduates actually work as photographers? And do any pros out there have such a degree, and how much do you think it helped?

 

[Phil Young]

I have a book called "the ultimate photographer" and out of the 5 pros interviewed, 1 of them studied photography.

Only a small proportional test but that's my input!

 

[admirable]

Funnily enuf I read this in the jobcentre last week.

Fact is, those with a degree are 20%ish more likely to get a job than those with no degree. This doesn't mean that in your case if you have a photography degree you'll get a photography job, it means you'll get chosen for a job before someone with no degree.

 

[gramps]

I'm guessing that applying for a job as say medical or forensic photographer would benefit from a degree whereas a studio job would be less likely to require one.

 

[jon ryan]

I'm guessing that applying for a job as say medical or forensic photographer would benefit from a degree whereas a studio job would be less likely to require one.

Oddly enough, more or less the same thought came up on another forum where I put this question - and I agree, Gramps.

 

[Garry Edwards]

I'm guessing that applying for a job as say medical or forensic photographer would benefit from a degree whereas a studio job would be less likely to require one.

My view is that I would be far more likely to interview an applicant for a studio job who has a degree, simply because (commercial) studio photography requires knowledge of light, which involves physics.

Problem is, having a degree in photography isn't a guarantee that the applicant actually knows anything much

 

[itsdavedotnet]

It's not about the destination, it's about the journey.

Students who are motivated, use their time at university to shoot their own creative and technically exciting work without having to rely on making a living at the same time, and having the resources of a university, and access to professional critique, work outside their course and actively learn what's involved in working as a photographer will succeed.

The apathetic majority won't.

 

[simonblue]

I'm guessing that applying for a job as say medical or forensic photographer would benefit from a degree whereas a studio job would be less likely to require one.

Yes i think you do now need a degree,for theses jobs

 

[SilentG180]

It's not about the destination, it's about the journey.

Students who are motivated, use their time at university to shoot their own creative and technically exciting work without having to rely on making a living at the same time, and having the resources of a university, and access to professional critique, work outside their course and actively learn what's involved in working as a photographer will succeed.

The apathetic majority won't.

Couldn't have put it better myself, employers probably are more likely to interview those with a degree but it is the person who has taken the time out to learn more, develop a better understanding and better portfolio that will stand out during the interview process

 

[Noah_]

I wish we could 'like' posts on threads 'cause there have been decent comments posted in here.

I think the experiance gained during a degree is an amazing opportunity. I'm actually considering applying for university this October 'cause altho it might not garuntee me a career, it'd be a beneficial stepping stone & access to amazing facilities. I did pretty well in my BTEC National Diploma in Photography so perhaps university is the next stone to turn over :} it's an experiance & an opportunity to further develop various skills, style & portfolio.