How Arts Students Can Thrive in Startups

(Even If You Don’t Know Where to Start)

If you’re an arts student looking to enter the startup world, chances are you’re feeling a little lost. You’re not alone. I’ve been there. As someone who studied history—a “pure” humanities discipline—I had no roadmap for stepping into the fast-paced world of startups. No one told me how to translate my skills, what to learn, or even where to begin.

But here’s the good news: the startup world thrives on curiosity, adaptability, and fresh perspectives—things you likely already have in abundance. With a little bravery, effort, and guidance, you can thrive here too. Let’s break it down.

1. No One Is Coming to Save You

Imagine you’re dropped into the middle of an unfamiliar city. No maps, no guides, just a vague direction to head toward. That’s what entering the startup world feels like for an arts student. If you’re a tech or engineering student, there are well-trodden paths: learn a programming language, understand algorithms, build something. For arts students, there’s no such clarity.

You might not understand how logic works. You might not know the basics of stats. You might not even know how the tools you use daily (like APIs or databases) function. The temptation to shrug it off and say, “I don’t need this stuff,” is real. But here’s the harsh truth: startups are messy, fast-moving places, and you’ll need to understand enough to hold your ground.

What can you do instead?

Start small and specific. For example:

• Watch a beginner’s video on how APIs work.

• Take a free course on logic or statistics (Khan Academy or Coursera is a good start).

• Use ChatGPT or Claude to break down complex terms into plain language.

When I was new, I made an engineer on my team show me how an API integration is done—five times. I asked about every error, tested scenarios, and made notes. Can I do an integration myself now? Barely. But I understand what success and failure look like, and that knowledge is invaluable.

Think of learning these basics like understanding how a car works. You don’t need to be a mechanic, but knowing how to check the oil or change a tire could save you in a pinch.

2. Frame Your Skills to Your Context

Arts students often feel like imposters in the startup world. You might think, “I don’t know anything useful; I’m starting from scratch.” That’s not true. You have skills—you just need to learn how to frame them.

Here’s how arts and humanities strengths translate to startups:

• You write clearly and concisely? Own customer FAQs or create killer UI copy.

• You’re great at speaking and connecting with people? Take over customer success or sales.

• You can analyze dense information and distill it? Documentation and knowledge management could be your thing.

• You’re good at storytelling? Content strategy or branding might be your calling.

One of my friends, an English major, started as a “content writer” at a startup. She realized that her knack for creating relatable, human-centered messaging made her an excellent fit for UX writing. She pitched herself for the role, learned the tools (like Figma and Sketch), and is now leading product communication.

In your first few weeks at a startup:

1. Observe every non-tech function: marketing, support, operations.

2. Ask team members about their biggest pain points.

3. Volunteer to tackle one of those problems, even if it’s small. You’ll build credibility and confidence.

Think of yourself as a Swiss Army knife—you may not be the sharpest blade for every task, but you have a tool for almost everything. You just need to figure out where to use it.

3. Allow Yourself to Feel Stupid

No one likes feeling stupid. It’s uncomfortable and embarrassing, and it’s tempting to avoid situations that make you feel that way. But here’s the thing: feeling stupid is the first step to learning something new.

I’ve written extensively about this in my essay, In Defence of Stupidity (you can read it here). The short version? Allow yourself to ask “dumb” questions. They’re often the smartest ones.

The next time you feel out of your depth, try this:

• Write down every question you have about the topic, no matter how basic.

• Ask someone to explain it, or look it up.

• Repeat the process until you feel confident.

When I joined my first startup, I asked questions that felt embarrassingly basic, like “What does this metric mean?” or “How does this tool work?” Over time, those questions helped me connect the dots and understand the bigger picture.

4. Learn the Language

Startups love jargon. Someone might casually say, “This integration could reduce CAC, but what about LTV?” and leave you completely lost. Don’t panic. This isn’t magic—it’s just shorthand.

Early in my career, I kept a notebook where I’d jot down terms I didn’t understand (like CAC, LTV, API, etc.). Every evening, I’d Google them or ask a colleague. Over time, I built a glossary that made me feel less like an outsider.

Use ChatGPT to your advantage. Try this prompt: Can you explain these terms ([insert terms]) in the context of [your startup’s industry]? Provide examples to help me understand the big picture.

Use what you learn in conversations, even if you’re not 100% confident. You’ll improve with practice.

5. You’re Worth More Than What You Came In With

It’s easy to stick to what you know, like writing or customer support. But startups reward curiosity and initiative. Instead of asking, “What can I do?” ask, “What excites me?”

A Geography graduate I know joined a startup as a social media manager but found herself fascinated by data analytics. She spent weekends learning SQL and Google Analytics. Within a year, she switched to a growth marketing role and now runs experiments that drive the company’s strategy.

Actionable:

1. Identify a role or function that excites you.

2. Dedicate an hour a day to learning about it (through YouTube, courses, or mentorship).

3. Look for small projects to practice your new skills.

Think of yourself as a house under renovation. Each new skill you learn adds a new room or upgrades an old one, making the structure stronger and more versatile.

6. Ignore the Naysayers

There will always be people who say, “You’re all over the place,” or, “Why are you switching sectors?” Ignore them.

Every experiment, every mistake, every pivot teaches you something valuable. I’ve switched roles, industries, and even entire career paths multiple times. Each transition has made me smarter, more adaptable, and more fulfilled.

When I transitioned from content strategy to product marketing, people questioned my decision. But the shift taught me skills I now use every day, like customer segmentation and go-to-market planning.

Think of your career like a tree. Branches might grow in different directions, but they’re all part of the same system, feeding into your growth.

7. The Power of Small Wins

Startups can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to find your footing. Focus on achieving small wins to build momentum.

Early on, I took ownership of a neglected FAQ page. It wasn’t glamorous, but updating it improved customer satisfaction scores and got me noticed by leadership. That one task snowballed into larger opportunities.

Pick one small project to own. Deliver it exceptionally well. Use it as a stepping stone for bigger challenges.

Final Thoughts

Entering the startup world as an arts student will feel daunting. But the discomfort is worth it. The risks you take now—learning new skills, asking questions, trying new roles—will pay off in ways you can’t imagine yet. You’ll not only grow professionally but also discover strengths and passions you didn’t know you had.

Be brave. Be curious. And most importantly, trust yourself to figure it out. You’ve got this.