Creativity flows through Bob Jones hallways.  With so many creative classes, from our nationally placing art classes to the, also, nationally placing creative writing classes, it’s hard not to find a creative kid in every classroom.  As many of these creative  students look to the future, they encounter too many “what-ifs.”

Jessie Deiss said, “They don’t pay well, and there aren’t many career options.” With this negative feedback, students are more hesitant to pick creative careers  and stick with the more safe, high paying jobs. But are these stereotypes really true?

Olivia Bee, a teen from Portland, Oregon, is a success story, showing that creative careers are obtainable. When she was a freshman in high school, she was recruited by Converse to do a photo shoot, and since then, she has had a successful career with the fashion industry. With this being said, it isn’t a easy job. She works 80 hours a week and does everything from picking the models, set design, color correction, and to the editing of the photos.

A local success story is Erin Lindsey; she has been a professional photographer for six years and has shot over one hundred weddings. Using social media, she built her business from the ground up. “I think that using social media is crucial to any business,” Lindsey said,  “especially wedding and photography businesses. Nowadays, almost everyone has a Facebook and/or Twitter and checks them all throughout the day.”

Several former Bob Jones students are currently working in creative fields.  Hope Lavelle, Mark Sawa, Adam Porter, Brendan McFerran, and Tyler Barksdale are gainfully employed  in creative careers in Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville.  

“First, they went to colleges that projected them into successful creative careers.  Secondly, they moved to cities with strong creative markets,” said Mrs. Panagos, a teacher at Bob Jones.  “You have to move with your market.  It’s why so many engineers live in the Huntsville area.  They moved to their market.”

It isn’t impossible, but students have to remember that mastering their art or craft isn’t enough.  They also need a business mindset. 

“I’d recommend any artist taking marketing or business classes,” said Mrs. Panagos.  “If you want to make a living off of your art, you’re going to have to learn how to network and how to develop strategies that will ensure that you can pay your bills.”