By Justin Franz
Montana Kaimin, U. Montana
(UWire)--Becky Martin and Louis Habeck admit it's going to be tough.
"You say you're an art major and people think it's a death sentence," Martin said.
Even so, the two University of Montana students remain enthusiastic about pursuing art degrees, even in the face of an increasingly competitive job market.
With more and more college graduates struggling to find jobs after school, Martin and Habeck aren't alone in their search to put their degrees to use, and in the cutthroat world of art, jobs are scarce and the pay is often poor.
But the passion Martin and Habeck share for their craft is what keeps them going. Both have been interested in art for most of their lives. Martin, a sophomore from Red Lodge, started painting and drawing in middle school.
"Art was always a big part of my life and it really caught my interest my senior year of high school," she said.
The same goes for Habeck, a junior from Billings, whose parents are both artists and were a major influence on him. His focus on art photography came from an uncle who gave him his first camera.
"I love math, science and music and did a lot of it in high school, but when I got to college, art seemed like the right fit," he said, "I didn't have a second thought."
UM's Department of Art offers two bachelor's degrees - one in arts and the other in fine arts - with specializations in painting and drawing, printmaking, photography, ceramics and sculpture.
"I want to go wherever there is a place I'm comfortable working ... I just want to find something I want to do and wake up every morning and do it."
--Becky Martin
While Habeck is focused on photography, Martin is still searching for what she wants to do.
"I'm really torn between mediums," she said.
Regardless of what she chooses, using that degree could be a challenge. One area Martin is contemplating is art education, though both say they'll take anything they can get.
"If you get paid, great. If you get a job doing what you love, even better," Habeck said.
Habeck is optimistic about his prospects because he sees his degree as being very versatile. He wants to do freelance work, photograph weddings and make portraits.
Fortunately, Habeck and Martin have supportive families.
"They would rather me do something I enjoy than something I'm not passionate about," Martin said, "Some are good at math, and some are good at science and others are good at art. So why not work with the hand you've been dealt?"
One person who is dealing with their hand is Lisa Jarrett, a recent UM graduate and adjunct professor in the art department. Besides teaching at UM, she's also a resident artist and gallery manager at ZooTown Arts Community Center.
Resources for job hunting
Jarrett said she's lucky that she's able to put her degree to good use at the ZACC and UM.
The University's art department is also preparing its graduates for the reality of a professional art career by offering a 400-level course focusing on the "business of being an artist," Jarrett said. This includes self-marketing, communication and taking payment for work.
Jarrett also said that a large part of her success is due to the strong art scene.
"There are a lot of different ways to peruse art and a lot of options in Missoula," she said, "It's a very committed community."
She said that the size of the art scene in Missoula can't compare to those in larger metropolitan areas and she might relocate to a bigger city to gain more exposure.Martin also accepts this fact.
"I want to go wherever there is a place I'm comfortable working ... I just want to find something I want to do and wake up every morning and do it," she said.
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