Categories
Education and Research

Professional Services

The Professional Service teams work behind the scenes in a school, university or public museum. Vital to the running of educational institutions, people in these roles contribute to non-academic operations, which support teaching, research, and student success.

Their responsibilities are varied, from providing student support, handling administration and operational support tasks, to running the building facilities or offering employability support. They enable the academic teams to focus on their core responsibilities. Their work extends beyond the immediate learning environment, impacting areas like alumni relations, fundraising, and community engagement. 

Those in a professional service role may also complete outreach work connecting with industry to build company networks. Progression within these roles can be linear or move sideways across different areas within professional services, as a lot of the skills required for these job roles are transferable.

Examples of roles within Professional Services:
  • Technicians
  • Outreach Officers
  • Student Services Officer
  • Recruitment and Admissions Administrator
  • Programme Administrator
  • Research Support Coordinator
CSM, March 2016, Photographer: Alys Tomlinson, UAL, UAL student recruitment
London College of Fashion courses relevant to careers in Professional Services:
  • All LCF Courses could lead to a career in professional services.

This list is not exhaustive. It is only an indication of directly connected LCF Courses.

Regenesis Lab workshop for Earth Day, 2023, UAL | Photograph: Joe O’Brien
Categories
Culture, Community and Heritage Education and Research

Community Engagement

The community field of work focuses on creating inclusive, engaging, and accessible educational, cultural, and creative opportunities that meet the needs of local people. These roles exist in settings like councils, galleries, museums, and arts organisations, and often involve planning public events, developing educational resources, managing community projects or funding bids, and working directly with individuals, especially young people, to help them grow and succeed. This work plays a key role in ensuring that creative and educational offerings are relevant, equitable, and impactful.

Careers in this area can start in roles such as Community Arts Worker, Community Engagement Officer or Public Engagement Practitioner. These positions typically involve organising and delivering community-led programmes, building relationships with diverse audiences, and creating inclusive spaces for learning and expression. As experience grows, these roles can lead to more senior positions like Creative Projects Manager or Head of Community Engagement or Organisation Leader.

Examples of roles within Community engagement:
  • Community Education Coordinator
  • Community Engagement Officer
  • Curator
  • Creative Programmer/Producer
  • Educational Psychologist
  • Community Heritage Coordinator
  • Programming and Operations Consultant
  • Community Arts Assistant
  • Community Projects Assistant
  • Youth Engagement Officer
  • Arts Development Officer
  • Community Development Worker
  • Public Engagement Practitioner
Student photo shooting in Brick Lane Streets | photography: Chiara Bellamoli
London College of Fashion courses relevant to careers in community engagement:
  • • All LCF Courses could lead to a career in community engagement.

This list is not exhaustive. It is only an indication of directly connected LCF Courses.

February 2017, LCC, UAL
Categories
Education and Research

Academic

A career in academia involves teaching and research within primary, secondary, or higher education settings, including universities and adult education. Individuals typically specialise in one or two subject areas and balance responsibilities such as designing and delivering lessons, mentoring students, and assessing coursework. At university level, teaching is often combined with academic research to contribute new knowledge to a field through publications and conferences.

Academic roles also include administrative duties like managing budgets, applying for research funding, and serving on committees. Early career pathways may begin with teaching or research roles, with potential progression to senior positions such as Head of Department or Dean. Key skills include research and analytical abilities, strong communication, time management, and adaptability. Academia suits those passionate about their subject, eager to share knowledge, and committed to ongoing learning and development.

Examples of roles within Academia:
  • Research Fellow
  • Lecturer
  • Teacher
  • Professor
  • Research Associate
  • Examiner
  • Course Leaders
Rosalie Jervis, Yuening Jian with Kevin Freeman (Course Director) | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson
London College of Fashion courses relevant to careers in academia:
  • All LCF Courses could lead to a career in academia.

This list is not exhaustive. It is only an indication of directly connected LCF Courses.

Jack Heard, Paula De La Orden, Garima Singh with Julie O’Sullivan (Course Leader MBA) | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson
Categories
Culture, Community and Heritage Education and Research

Advocacy and Policy

The Advocacy and Policy field involves influencing decision-making to support important causes, such as arts, culture, or the creative industries. Professionals in this area conduct research, analyse policies, and work closely with government officials and stakeholders to promote positive change. They raise public awareness, develop strategies, and use lobbying or campaigning to shape policies that align with their organisation’s goals. In creative sectors, this might mean advocating for funding, fair access, or future-facing strategies that protect cultural interests.

Roles in this field offer opportunities to learn about how policy is made and how public opinion and government priorities can be influenced. Strong communication, research, and strategic thinking skills are essential. Career paths can lead to positions like Advocacy Manager, Head of Public Affairs, Senior Policy Advisor, and Chief Executive Officer – where professionals shape the direction of sector policies, support cultural representation, and ensure the arts and creative industries are considered in wider political and social conversations.

Examples of roles within advocacy and policy:
  • Creative Practitioner
  • Influencer
  • Campaign Marketer
  • Engagement Officer
  • Political Officer
  • Projects Officer
  • Public Affairs Assistant
  • Communications Assistant
  • Policy and Advocacy Officer
  • Arts Advocate
  • Cultural Educator
  • Educational Psychologist
Video by Clara Finnigan | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson,
Savannah Bader in the Studio | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson