ANY attainable art-related careers left in this economy?

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i really don't know what to do right now, even though i still have quite a few years ahead of me to really need a concise decision...

i'm a college student at a community college in california, a graphic design major, my mom wants me to talk to the Disabled Workability representative that i just made an appointment with regarding getting a decent summer job to get some experience SOMEWHERE in the world of careers, as she's getting the idea that many college students even with the degrees they've obtained are lucky if they get a job in graphics, let alone perhaps anything close to that area, as I presume.

And i'm sure there's anyone residing in california or pretty much anywhere else in the U.S. who's in college or a graduate or retired who's in this or is seeing this all happen that may or may not know what to say. But, if you DO know, whether you have a career in art or not, what is the best bet if i want to keep my major in graphic design where it is, while getting me a summer job that takes me in something of a different route, that will lead me to a job that will still...possibly...make me happy? (or get me what i need, even if it's not what i want. )

thanks for reading my elongated sentences (i'm a champion writer)
--C.L.

If you're into graphic design, why don't you try something like advertising design? You use a lot of the same skills in both. Or something like game design?

I'm in a similar position: my chosen major is photography, even though the community college I'm at right now doesn't offer it. Photography you have a few choices, but most of them involve working with people on a daily basis and I'm not good at that!!

With a graphic design degree, you can get a job in advertising/marketing, you can do illustrations, you can do photo retouching, you can do concept art for game companies, you can work for a sign shop or print shop, you can do layouts or art direction at a publication, you can design and help maintain web sites, or you can freelance creating print or web publications for small companies -- things like flyers, brochures, or menus. A good minor or additional degree would be in either communications or fine arts. Advertising firms ask for either art or communications degrees for their designers, and the folks looking for illustrations or concept art like fine arts credentials. Art history is also good if you're interested in working for galleries or museums. If your focus is web design, try to get tech certificates and/or get a programming degree. Big cities frequently need design interns, because they have lots of ad agencies and publication offices.

It is going to be another tough summer to find any kind of job as there so many people unemployed and unable to find work after the financial crisis of 2008. Have you considered applying for any internships in your area? Although internships are "unpaid" work, it provides valuable job experience...and extremely beneficial in the future when you graduate from college.

I have a family member who is completing her second year at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and she has been offered an internship in an Animation Studio in San Franscisco, California...thousands of miles from her home on the East Coast.

Another family member, who studies Graphic Arts at an Upstate New York college had an internship last summer in a photography studio...and the experience she gained from that job has helped her to get a paying job THIS summer in Graphic Arts.

Pragmatic answer.

If you don't mind the mundane status, offer your services as a painter for people's homes or projects. You'd be surprised how many people need someone competent to paint a room (or whole house) but don't want to do the work themselves.