January, the month for new beginnings and detox diets.
Perhaps the only way creativity can be associated with the first month of the year is in coming up with new year’s resolutions, which are likely to be put aside by Valentine’s day, or detox diets, enthusiastically pinned on Pinterest. However, January also happens to be International Creativity Month - founded by Randall Munson, a motivational speaker.
“This is a perfect opportunity to consider ways that creativity and innovation can be applied during the year ahead”, claims its founder. “Rather than being satisfied with a temporary new year’s resolution, International Creativity Month provides a more powerful, long-lasting opportunity for positive change. It serves as a reminder to individuals and organizations around the globe to capitalize on the power of creativity and innovation.”
Thinking outside of the box gives us the ability to come up with different viewpoints on a subject - which is something of key importance in today’s world. Globalization and technology have been playing an important role in many industries. Technology made it easy for us to produce an item cheaply all over the globe, whilst globalisation has made it easier for products which were specific to one country or region, to be produced worldwide as well. What determines the ability to have a substantial mark-up is how creatively you can advertise and market, and eventually sell your product. This is why creativity is more relevant in today’s world, more than ever. The creative economy, an umbrella term used by John Howkins brings together jobs in advertising, architecture, art, crafts, design, fashion, film, music, performing arts, publishing, R&D, software, toys and games, TV and radio, and video games, and is one of the most important economies today.
This also relates closely to the importance of the arts and humanities in our education systems. Artists are the ones telling stories through their media, stories that help us make sense of the world around us. They make us dream and imagine what was previously unimaginable, they help us connect what was to what is and what will be. This makes an arts student less likely to follow the conventional path others end up taking when it comes to matters such as career choices.
This matter is especially relevant when considering the findings of the Malta Employability Index report, published in the last quarter of 2015, which states that University of Malta and MCAST students studying media, tourism, arts and creative arts, are the least likely to find a job which is complementary to their area of studies. Read more here.
Students, take up this international month of creativity as a challenge to think outside of the box when it comes to choosing your career path. You might also want to look into these intriguing Jobs of the Future.
We can help you with that. Take a look at a number of Graduate Jobs in Malta we have to offer.