I have a B.A. in Art- Now What!?

Hello,
I recently graduate with a bachelors in art and minor in web design. I've been applying to jobs on the internet and have only had 1 interview. I now realize maybe I should have majored in graphic art because I can't find any art related jobs i qualify for. I don't know what to look for or how to get my foot in the door. I have a college degree and I'm waitressing. Does anyone have any advice?!

Web design is more useful than print design. Perhaps try and take some more classes in User Interface too. See if you can pick up PHP. I was in your boat up until around August. I decided to change fields. I really love design and illustration, but there is just no competitive wages for US designers. You have to know someone to get a job in the design field. If you really want to keep going in your field, try getting a job at a copy shop to start with. It will most likely pay minimum wage, but after a year or so you can build up some freelance work by seeing all the horrible presentations businesses bring in to get copied. Eventually, you might meet someone who has an opening somewhere. It's not guaranteed, but you never know...

Another route would be to find any entry level job at a large organization. Try to move into what you like to do. Make sure you ask how the company promotes. If they say "We post positions on our website to find the best possible candidate." Forget it, they only hire "friends" of the department employees. But, if you find a strong promotion structure within the organization... That's what you want. Work the entry level job for a couple of years, then hope for turnover in the company.

Good Luck!

Design is a tough field for certain. As an eleven year vet I have seen the field change dramatically. But you could try to get a headhunter to represent you. That is how I started out and I still wouldn't hesititate to use a headhunter now if they had an "in" to a job I wanted. Adecco, Aquent, Paladin are a few that I've used successfully in the past. You will also have better luck in a bigger city area. I had great work in the SF Bay area and in Chicago...but in Portland, Maine...it was very difficult. The way I see it there are two main areas of design. Advertising agencies and In-House departments. In-House departments are easier to get into. What is the biggest company headquarters near you? For me it's Sears. They are massive and utilize many ad agencies for work as well as having a large internal creative department of their own. All company headquarters have a need for a designer. Retail headquarters far moreso than an insurance company for example.

This economy is the worst. I can't honestly tell you differently as this is the worst I've ever seen. Design is typically overcrowded with talent already...you do the math.

Good luck.

- Adam