Careers

student playing bassoon
Careers

Pursuing a degree in the arts can seem like a challenging path, but if you can dream it, you can be it. The UO School of Music and Dance has been guiding scholars, artists, dreamers, future educators, and performers for more than a century.  

Faculty and staff members at SOMD are committed to fostering and supporting diverse ideas, perspectives, people, and disciplines, and providing cross-disciplinary exploration and the tools necessary for students to apply their music or dance degree to any conceivable career.
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percussion student playing outside

What can I do with this degree?

Our faculty produce well-rounded, skilled scholars and performers who are flexible leaders with global perspectives and great people skills who become cultural influencers and entrepreneurs. Specific skills you will have gained from your degree in music or dance include:

  • Communication
  • Memory and Concentration
  • Teamwork
  • The ability to perform under pressure
  • Planning and Organization
  • Self-discipline
  • Critical Thinking
  • Taking Direction
  • Mental Flexibility
  • Adaptability
dance student solo
clarinet students performing
choral GE conducting

Job options with a Dance Degree:

Dancer
Choreographer
Artistic director
Community arts worker
Dance movement psychotherapist*
Private studio owner/instructor
Personal trainer
Theatre director
Clinician
Cruise ship entertainer
Lecturer
Summer camp director/staff
Adjudicator
 
Musical theatre
Dance coach (K-12)*
Sound/lighting technician
Wellness consultant (injury prevention and intervention)*
College professor*
Theme park dancer
Las Vegas production dancer
Arts facilities operations
Sports trainer
Pilates instructor
Artist-in-residence
Rehearsal director
 
Benesh, Laban dance notator
Costume designer
Dance for fitness instructor
Stunt coordinator*
Stunt-person*
Film researcher/dance consultant
Sound engineer and design (live)
Stage manager
Osteopath*
Chiropractor*
Physiotherapist*
Sports therapist
*Movement therapist*
 

* with additional certification or degree

tuba student with instrument
cello students rehearsing
dance student posing

Job options with a Music Degree:

Musical performer
Composer/arranger
Video game composer
Film scoring
Songwriter
Pit orchestra musician
Session musician
Musicologist/historian*
Music school teacher**
Band director/Conductor
Military Musician
Conductor/choral director
Music therapist*
 
Collaborative pianist/musician
Private studio owner/instructor
Entrepreneur
Clinician/lecturer
Cruise ship entertainer
Summer camp music
Director/staff
Score coordinator/orchestrator
Vocal coach
Back-up/playback singer
Adjudicator
Master classes
 
Lyricist
Music librarian*
Technical music assistant
Music preparation/ supervisor
Religious music director
Electronic/audio production design, and sound mastering
Sound engineer and design (live)
Wellness consultant (injury prevention and intervention)*
College professor*
Artistic director
Acoustics consultant*
 

*with additional certification or degree,  **with Music Education Degree

Dr. Paul helping GE conduct a choir

Our faculty and staff make your professional development a priority.

Faculty pave the way for undergraduate and graduate scholars to present their research at conferences and seminars around the world.

Education majors are encouraged to teach clinics and sectionals in the community.

Performance majors teach private lessons, participate in master classes with some of today’s top musicians, and perform with school-sponsored ensembles and in the community.

Meet our Faculty

Career and Networking Events

There are many opportunities at the University and the School of Music and Dance to prepare for the next chapter after you graduate. From tailoring a resume to landing the perfect summer job to brushing up on your interview skills before you apply to graduate school. Mark your calendars with upcoming events to obtain the resources to help you explore your passions and find the direction that is right for you. 

Part-time Job and Work-Study Fair

Oct

6

Part-time Job and Work-Study Fair

Oct 6 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
IntroPUPtion: Peace Corps and Pups

Oct

8

IntroPUPtion: Peace Corps and Pups

Oct 8 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Resume Extravaganza! (Drop-In Resume Reviews with Career Coaches & Peer Coaches)

Oct

14

Resume Extravaganza! (Drop-In Resume Reviews with Career Coaches & Peer Coaches)

Oct 14 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Peace Corps Application Workshop

Oct

15

Peace Corps Application Workshop

Oct 15 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
BizCareers in Finance and Real Estate

Oct

15

BizCareers in Finance and Real Estate

Oct 15 Lillis Business Complex
Fall Career Readiness Week (Oct 16-23)

Oct

16

Fall Career Readiness Week (Oct 16-23)

Oct 16
Career Tour-Tech + Design Edition

Oct

16

Career Tour-Tech + Design Edition

Oct 16 Ford Alumni Center
Fall Career Readiness Week (Oct 16-23)

Oct

19

Fall Career Readiness Week (Oct 16-23)

Oct 19
Curious about the Fall Career & Internship Expo (Virtual Info-Session)

Oct

19

Curious about the Fall Career & Internship Expo (Virtual Info-Session)

Oct 19
How to: Job Searching & LinkedIn (Workshop)

Oct

19

How to: Job Searching & LinkedIn (Workshop)

Oct 19 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Fall Career Readiness Week (Oct 16-23)

Oct

20

Fall Career Readiness Week (Oct 16-23)

Oct 20
Your Future in Sustainability (Career Panel + Networking)

Oct

20

Your Future in Sustainability (Career Panel + Networking)

Oct 20 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Fall Career Readiness Week (Oct 16-23)

Oct

21

Fall Career Readiness Week (Oct 16-23)

Oct 21
Peace Corps Coffee Chat

Oct

21

Peace Corps Coffee Chat

Oct 21 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
How to: Interviewing (Workshop)

Oct

21

How to: Interviewing (Workshop)

Oct 21 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Fall Career Readiness Week (Oct 16-23)

Oct

22

Fall Career Readiness Week (Oct 16-23)

Oct 22
Fall Career & Internship Expo PREVIEW & TOUR!

Oct

22

Fall Career & Internship Expo PREVIEW & TOUR!

Oct 22 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Fall Career & Internship Expo

Oct

22

Fall Career & Internship Expo

Oct 22 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
BizCareers in Marketing, Sales, and Analytics

Oct

22

BizCareers in Marketing, Sales, and Analytics

Oct 22 Lillis Business Complex
Fall Career Readiness Week (Oct 16-23)

Oct

23

Fall Career Readiness Week (Oct 16-23)

Oct 23
Ask Me How I Got Here: A Conversation on Health Work

Oct

29

Ask Me How I Got Here: A Conversation on Health Work

Oct 29 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
UO Law School Fair

Oct

30

UO Law School Fair

Oct 30 William W. Knight Law Center
Peace Corps Application Workshop

Nov

5

Peace Corps Application Workshop

Nov 5 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Graduate School Fair 2026

Nov

10

Graduate School Fair 2026

Nov 10 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Fall Career Closet: Free Interview-Ready Outfits

Nov

17

Fall Career Closet: Free Interview-Ready Outfits

Nov 17 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)

Professional Development Opportunities

Orchestra Next , Eugene Symphony , the Community Music Institute, the Jazz Station, Ballet Fantastique, The Shedd, Eugene Opera, and various national and international scholarly conferences. See our professional development blog for a complete list of opportunities.  

Alumni Association

Looking for career advice, mentorship, or networking opportunities? The Alumni Association is your one-stop resource.