Running head: Life After College

Life After College

Marissa A. Duff
Johnson C. Smith University
April 11, 2016

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Life After College

For four years, most college students are bombarded with classes, back-to-back
homework assignments, late night study sessions and much more. They do all of this in order to
prepare themselves for their careers and lives after college. During these vital years, college
students learn the information and skills they need to be able to work in the professional world.
When asked about my life after college, I always try to present a detailed overview of where I
want to be. Therefore, it is important to analyze my chosen degree, my own career and what I
need to get there, so I will be able to better prepare myself for my life after college.
The degrees that I chose to pursue at Johnson C. Smith University are a Bachelor of Arts
in communication arts and dance. Although I will graduate with two different degrees, I plan to
mainly center my career around my dance major. There are several things that one can do with
an undergraduate dance degree. In a general sense, some jobs that one can get with an
undergraduate degree in dance are professional dancers and choreographers (Montgomery &
Robison, 2003). Many employers already know that one has at least some experience coming in
with an undergraduate dance degree because it requires practical coursework. I can get a job as a
professional dancer, choreographer and studio teacher right now with my degree because those
are jobs that require at most a dance degree (Montgomery & Robison, 2003). There are also jobs
that one cannot attain with just a dance degree such as dance teachers in the school system,
collegiate dance professors, and administrators (Montgomery & Robison, 2003). These positions
require further education and certifications (Risner, 2007). Next, I will explore educational
elements within the dance major.
This particular degree depends on both direct experience and education. In order to get a
job in the dance field, one must have experience in performance (Montgomery & Robison,

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2003). On the other hand, some dance jobs require one to have experience and an educational
background as well (Risner, 2010). Dance is also one of those professions that people with no
degree but only experience and skills can find jobs. People who pursue dance as a career can go
very far. There are graduate programs and even doctoral programs dedicated to the art of dance
(Risner, 2010). Whether or not the dance field is declining is the next area of focus.
One thought that is evolving in American society today about dance jobs is that the doors
in this field are closing (Risner, 2007). Through research, finding a job in dance means not only
going out and applying for jobs that already exist, but also creating your own work (Risner,
2007). One is able to use his or her art and body in any way they want in order to establish his or
her career. There are not, in a general sense, doors closing in this field. It is more about there
not being anybody qualified to fill the positions (Risner, 2007). Some jobs that are in high
demand and in need of qualified and certified dancers are teachers in the school system, college
professors and administrators (Risner, 2007). The next area that will be explored is other jobs
that a dance major may hold.
Although there are many opportunities in dance available out there, some dancers focus
only on the professional dancing aspect and compete vigorously with other dancers in major
companies to get jobs (Montgomery & Robison, 2003). Sometimes, they are unable to make it
into a company, so they find jobs in other careers and fields that do not pertain to dance at all.
(Montgomery & Robison, 2003). They may also have a dance job along with another job that
does not relate to dance as well (Montgomery & Robison, 2003). Because dance jobs require
knowing a specific technique and skill, there are not many other jobs that professionals can go to
use their dance experience (Montgomery & Robison, 2003). A few areas I believe that one who
has a dance degree may go to seek a job that uses some of their same skills and abilities are the

Life After College

areas of gymnastics and cheerleading. Next, I will explore my particular career within the dance
field.
The specific career that I want to pursue is a dance educator and studio owner. Dance
educators teach on various levels (Anne, 2005). There are dance educator jobs available in
elementary, middle and high schools all around the world (Risner, 2007). On the other hand,
being a studio owner requires creating ones own business and job as well (Anne, 2005). As a k12 dance educator in the school system, there are several qualities and skills that he or she must
possess (Anne, 2005). Some of these qualities include being relevant, rigorous and real word
oriented (Kassing, 2010). Skills that are needed as a dance educator include being adaptive to
and creating change both personally and socially, open to learning all the time, project-based,
research-driven, student-centered and able to use technology and multimedia especially in
todays world (Kassing, 2010). I believe that I have the skills and qualities needed in this
profession. As a dance educator and teacher, I will be determined and motivated to teach the art
of dance to children through many different avenues in an interesting yet stimulating way. What
I must do to become a dance educator will be the next area of focus.
There are several actions one must take in order to be a dance educator in the school
system. As a professional dancer or choreographer, employers look at several qualities. Some of
these qualities include skills, experience and sometimes an undergraduate degree (Montgomery
& Robison, 2003). As a teacher and college professor or administrator, employers need much
more. These positions require an undergraduate degree, a graduate degree and certain
certifications and test scores (Risner, 2007). Because I will be a dance educator in the school
system, I plan to keep pursuing my undergraduate degree, and later graduate degree, while
expanding my experience and networking within the Charlotte community (Montgomery &

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Robison, 2003). There are several steps that I am taking to make certain that I have a job after
graduation.
The first step that I am taking to prepare for my career after college is taking full
advantage of all of the dance courses offered at my school. I have taken classes in many
different genres and styles. Some of the many courses that I have taken are ballet, jazz, modern,
dance history, tap and folk dance. Taking these different courses will allow me to be versatile
which is important for employers looking to hire dance teachers.
The second step that I am taking to prepare myself is working as a dance teacher around
the Charlotte community. I started out as a volunteer choreographer at Olympic High School for
their dance team. After a year, I was promoted to the assistant coach. I have also gained
experience teaching dance at Masterpiece Studios in Indian Trail, North Carolina. At
Masterpiece, I am able to teach various styles such as jazz, modern, ballet and tap to a variety of
ages and levels. Lastly, I am directing a low-cost community dance program through Johnson C.
Smith University. Through this job, I am able to gain experience in running my own dance
program. All of these different jobs also allow me to get involved in Charlotte and surrounding
areas which is where I want to be at least a few years after graduation.
The third and final step that I am taking to prepare myself for my career as a dance
educator is looking into teacher certifications and graduate programs and creating a business
plan. I have researched programs that will allow me to get both a graduate degree in education
and a teacher certification at the same time. One graduate education program that I found and
liked is located at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. I am also in the process of
creating a business plan for my own studio as well.

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In summary, there are many important elements that play a part in preparing for life after
college. One must not only take courses in their desired degree, but also become knowledgeable
about the profession that he or she is getting into. It is important to understand what is out there
for ones degree and specific career. By understanding my career field, I am able to better
prepare myself through course work, skills and experience. With these elements, I will definitely
be ready to succeed in my life after college.

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Bibliography

Anne, G. G. (2005). Dance education in the 21st century. Journal of Physical Education,
Recreation & Dance, 76(5), 26-35. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/215760224?accountid=11745
Kassing, G. (2010). New challenges in 21st-century dance education. Journal of Physical
Education, Recreation & Dance, 81(6), 21-25,32. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/746779379?accountid=11745
Montgomery, S. S., & Robinson, M. D. (2003). What becomes of undergraduate dance
majors? Journal of Cultural Economics, 27(1), 57. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/197395737?accountid=11745
Risner, D. (2007). Current challenges for K-12 dance education and development: Perspectives
from higher education. Arts Education Policy Review, 108(4), 17-23. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/211009990?accountid=11745
Risner, D. (2010). Dance education matters: Rebuilding postsecondary dance education for
twenty-first century relevance and resonance. Arts Education Policy Review, 111(4), 123135. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/759962782?accountid=11745