What can you do with a Environmental Design degree?

First, some facts. Of the Environmental Design graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 50 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 70%, Environmental Design graduates have a slightly higher likelihood (+3%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 70%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 57% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Environmental Design graduate.

See the details:

View a random Environmental Design graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Architecture - BArch in Environmental Design. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Architectural Intern
human eXperience
Dec 2022 - Jun 2024
The role of Architectural Intern at human eXperience directly utilizes skills and knowledge from the Environmental Design program, allowing for hands-on experience in architecture.

Architectural Designer
O'Connell Robertson
Jun 2024 - Present
As an Architectural Designer at O'Connell Robertson, the job involves applying architectural principles and design skills that are core components of the Environmental Design degree, making it highly relevant.

ABOUT

I will be graduating from Texas A&M University in May with a Masters of Architecture. I am also pursuing a certification in health systems design. I am interested in educational architecture and designing for health. I've done freelance graphic design work since 2017, working for several clients on a variety of projects. My resume and academic portfolio are below.

What jobs can you get with a Environmental Design degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


From reviewing the careers of individuals with degrees in Environmental Design, the most common job titles include architectural designer, design associate, and various roles in planning and landscape design. Many graduates find positions that leverage their understanding of design principles, with notable roles in architecture for firms like Gensler and various project management positions focusing on sustainability. Additionally, roles related to environmental or urban planning, like urban or landscape planner, seem to attract graduates who are passionate about integrating design with environmental stewardship.

However, the relevance of these jobs to the Environmental Design field can vary significantly. While some roles directly apply the skills and knowledge gained from their degrees, such as architectural and landscape design positions, many others lean more towards areas like graphic design or marketing, which don’t rely heavily on the core competencies of Environmental Design. Positions in corporate sectors, such as project managers in unrelated fields or those involved with administrative tasks, also appear frequently, indicating that not all degree holders are directly working in roles that fully utilize their Environmental Design education. Overall, while there’s a mix, it’s clear that environmental design graduates often gravitate toward fields that align more closely with their academic training, but many still find themselves in positions where the direct application of those skills might be limited or overshadowed by other responsibilities.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Environmental Design graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Environmental Design graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of these Environmental Design graduates, it's clear that there’s a mix of paths they’ve taken after college. Typically, right after graduation, many of them start as design associates or interns, which makes sense because they’re building on their academic knowledge and gaining practical experience in the field. For those who graduated from programs like Tianjin Polytechnic University and Texas A&M, this entry-level experience often involves positions like architectural designers, graphic designers, or project coordinators. These initial roles often serve as stepping stones to more specialized positions five or ten years down the line.

Fast forward a few years, and you can see a lot of graduates have carved out careers related to their degrees, with many working in architectural firms, design studios, or even as independent entrepreneurs. For example, graduates like the ones from Montana State University and Auburn University have transitioned into roles as project managers or business owners, suggesting that they’ve found ways to align their work with their educational background. However, not everyone is sticking strictly to environmental design; some have meandered into completely unrelated fields. It’s a mixed bag overall: while plenty seem to find fulfilling careers in the design world, others might be navigating positions that don’t quite connect with their environmental design roots. Overall, it seems like with persistence and the right opportunities, many of these graduates are building solid careers, though the paths can vary widely.

How hard is a Environmental Design degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and skills. If you enjoy creativity, problem-solving, and have a knack for design concepts, you might find it more enjoyable than tough. Expect to dive into a mix of theory, technical skills, and hands-on projects, which means balancing lectures, studio work, and sometimes late-night critiques. Overall, it's definitely on the more demanding side compared to some other majors, but if you’re passionate about design and the environment, it can be a rewarding experience.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Environmental Design.

Do Environmental Design graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the job trajectories of these Environmental Design graduates, there's a mixed bag when it comes to their potential earnings. Many of those who graduated from prominent schools like Texas A&M, ArtCenter College of Design, and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay seem to have climbed the ladder more quickly, landing roles such as Project Managers, Technical Designers, and even Directors in reputable firms, which often leads to decent incomes. However, some graduates took less conventional paths or have positions that might not pay as well, especially those in earlier career stages or part-time roles like internships and assistant positions.

Overall, while many have found decent opportunities relative to their field, the salaries can vary significantly based on their specific roles, locations, and experience levels. In creative fields like environmental design, entry-level positions might not be particularly lucrative, but with experience and a solid portfolio, there are definitely paths that lead to better compensation. So, it looks like while some are doing pretty well, others might still be building their financial stability in the early years of their careers.

What buzzwords do Environmental Design graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Environmental Design. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Environmental Design?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Environmental Design (ordered by the average relevance score of their Environmental Design graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count