Adaptable Degree

Melanie Dreyer-Lude is an American theatre artist/scholar specializing in international theatre collaboration and multidisciplinary projects. She is a professor in the Department of Drama at the University of Alberta and lives and works in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

• AcknowledgementsIntroductionChapter 1: Passion versus practicalityDo I need a college degree?The reality of being an arts gradWhat employers wantPassion can lead to prosperityWhat the survey told usIn summaryChapter 2: Patterns of employmentFour employment scenariosThe trajectory of a career in the artsSeeking employment in a shifting job marketWhere are arts grads working?The Creative Trident redefinedWhat the survey told usIn summaryChapter 3: Skills for all professionsA graduate who shifted careersThe predominance of shifting careersThe importance of transferable skillsHow theatre training deliversWhat theatre training looks likeWhat the survey told usIn summaryChapter 4: Value versus expenseThe loss of public faithThe student as a customerEarning potential as a decision-makerThe cost of an educationThe neoliberal paradigmThe challenge of performance indicatorsThe reality of program cutsPoliticians and the academyWhat the survey told usIn summaryChapter 5: Changing the messageThe academy must adaptThe challenges we faceWhat an arts degree already offersExpanding our curriculumHow other sectors benefit from arts educationThe threat to theatre departmentsOur training focus must shiftRecommendations for changeWhat the graduates in this study told usIn summaryMethodologyIntroductionResearch frameworkResearch designSampling strategyData collectionData analysisLimitations and assumptionsRecommendations for future researchJobs listed by survey participantsIndex