Careers
Study Film, Television, and Theatre. Do Anything.
What can I do with a Film, Television, and Theatre major?
Some majors will go into the industry as artists, agents, producers, managers, or other jobs in arts and entertainment; some of you will pursue graduate studies to become teachers, or work in museums, or as programmers, or in other cultural educational venues; and some will take the analytic and storytelling skills you have learned in FTT into careers in law, public relations, advertising, government, medicine, and myriad other careers.
Skills you'll learn
- Empathetic understanding of other viewpoints and people
- Creative problem solving
- Ability to explain complex concepts and ideas
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Effective oral communication
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to create compelling audiovisual material
- Organization and project management
- Strong writing, critical and creative
- Adaptability and flexibility
Liz Hynes ’17
Writer, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
“The FTT major required constant unconventional problem-solving, whether it was figuring out a unique approach to a paper or coordinating logistics of an early morning shoot in subzero weather. I am a more fearless, solution-oriented team player because of FTT — It provided skills that will translate into any career."
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Liz Hynes ’17
Writer, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
“The FTT major required constant unconventional problem-solving, whether it was figuring out a unique approach to a paper or coordinating logistics of an early morning shoot in subzero weather. I am a more fearless, solution-oriented team player because of FTT — It provided skills that will translate into any career."
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Michael Swanson ’93
Emmy-winning producer and studio executive
“The liberal arts were a wonderful foundation from which to build. On my TV shows or films, it takes hundreds of people to complete a project, and everyone is different. I have to know how to communicate effectively with my team in a way that will get results. I learned that at Notre Dame, where I worked with people from all walks of life in study groups and in the classroom.”
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Jack Blakey ’88, J.D. ’92
U.S. District Court judge, Chicago
“Some people think it’s such a difference, going from the theatre world to the legal world, but it’s really a seamless transition. Arguing in front of a jury or arguing in front of a judge, whether it’s a legal principle or a set of disputed facts, you have to have the power of language and understand the power of a strong narrative: What are the issues? What is the story? And how do you communicate that intellectually and with emotional content and a sense of history?”
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Jennifer Sharron Richardson ’01
Co-Executive Producer at Jimmy Kimmel Live
“When you go to Notre Dame, you feel like you’re set up for success. What I found to be most important about Notre Dame was that you didn’t feel like you were on your own, fighting for your own direction. There were people rooting for you and helping you find your way.”
Richardson started as a production assistant at Fox Sports, where she helped produce Jimmy Kimmel’s segment. When Kimmel left to launch his own late-night talk show, he invited her to come with him. She eventually rose to become one of the show’s co-executive producers. Read her story
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Conor Hanney ’14
Writer, lyricist, and composer for Netflix
“The FTT department, associate professor Christine Becker, and the College of Arts and Letters gave me literally every foot in the door. Every subsequent opportunity I’ve had can be traced directly back to Notre Dame.”
Hanney, a writer, lyricist, and composer for Netflix, works on family programming. Before joining Netflix, he wrote for the Disney XD show Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything and worked as a creative executive for DreamWorks Animation. He is also active in the L.A. musical theatre and improv scene, where his work often stars individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities. Read his story.
94% of recent Notre Dame Film, Television, and Theatre majors find full-time employment, enroll in graduate school, enter service programs, or launch independent projects within six months of graduation.
Note: Outcomes data comes from First Destination reports, a survey of recent graduates conducted by the Notre Dame Center for Career Development and Office of Strategic Planning and Institutional Research. Status is known for more than 90% of each graduating class.
Independent projects include activities such as writing a novel, making a film or fine arts project, traveling the world, caring for a family member, etc.