Degrees
Colleges
About
First, some facts. Of the Game and Interactive Media 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 169 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 49%, Game and Interactive Media Design graduates have a much lower likelihood (-18%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 11% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Game and Interactive Media Design graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
|
Relevance score: 95% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from Westwood College-Anaheim with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Game and Interactive Media Design. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONGraphic Designer/E-commerce Fangkam USA inc.(TRGL) Feb 2016 - Apr 2020 Graphic Designer/E-commerce Fangkam USA inc.(TRGL) Feb 2016 - Apr 2020 Graphic Designer/E-commerce Fangkam USA inc.(TRGL) Feb 2016 - Apr 2020 Graphic Designer/E-commerce Fangkam USA inc.(TRGL) Feb 2016 - Apr 2020 Graphic Designer/E-commerce Fangkam USA inc.(TRGL) Feb 2016 - Apr 2020 Graphic Designer/E-commerce Fangkam USA inc.(TRGL) Feb 2016 - Apr 2020 Graphic Designer/E-commerce Fangkam USA inc.(TRGL) Feb 2016 - Apr 2020 Videographer  Sweda Company Jun 2021 - Present ABOUTMy Passion is art. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From analyzing the careers of individuals who have graduated with degrees in Game and Interactive Media Design, it becomes clear that their post-college employment is highly varied. However, there are a few notable trends regarding job relevance to their field of study. Many graduates have pursued roles that intersect with gaming and interactive media—but not all. Roles like game designers, QA testers, and programmers directly employ the knowledge and skills learned in their academic programs and showcase the relevance of their educational background. For instance, positions such as “3D Artist,” “Game Programmer,” or “Lead Game Designer” not only exemplify a direct application of learned concepts but also highlight the importance of hands-on skills in game creation.
On the flip side, a significant number of graduates have ventured into careers that are not closely related to Game and Interactive Media Design. Many have taken roles in retail, customer service, IT support, or management positions that do not directly call upon their education in interactive media design. These positions often prioritize skills like customer interaction and sales over the design and programming skills that were a core focus of their degree. Examples include retail positions at outlets like Walmart, as well as roles like "Delivery Driver" or "Sales Associate," which lack any substantive connection to interactive media or game design. This trend suggests a possible disconnect between the skills gained during their studies and the job market they are entering into, highlighting the challenges many graduates face in finding employment directly within their specialized fields.
In conclusion, while many graduates have successfully transitioned into roles that directly utilize their Game and Interactive Media Design education, a substantial portion has ended up in jobs that leverage only a fraction of their training or none at all. This disparity illustrates two significant paths that emerge from this field of study, one that capitalizes on their expertise in gaming and interactive media, and another where individuals may find themselves relegated to unrelated fields of work. This calls for a closer alignment between academic training and industry needs, as well as a push for better career pathways that guide students towards fulfilling roles that genuinely resonate with their educational backgrounds.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Game and Interactive Media Design graduates:
It looks like graduates with a degree in Game and Interactive Media Design have taken a variety of career paths after finishing school, and the trends reveal a pretty mixed bag. For many of the individuals tracked in this analysis, the first job out of college is often in gaming-related roles, like software engineering, game design, or quality assurance. Some managed to snag gigs at big companies like Epic Games and Blizzard, which is impressive. However, there are also a number of graduates who started off with jobs that seem pretty unrelated to what they studied—think teaching, retail, and even delivery services. So right off the bat, you can see that the transition from a degree to a relevant career isn’t the smoothest for everyone.
Fast forward five or ten years post-graduation, and the landscape looks a bit clearer. A decent number of professionals in the industry have settled into roles that align well with Game and Interactive Media Design, especially in established companies within gaming or tech. You have people advancing in their roles to become senior designers, lead programmers, or even founders of their own projects, which is awesome. Yet, a not-so-small portion of graduates find themselves stuck in jobs that could be described as tangential or entirely disconnected from game design, working in support roles or other fields altogether. This suggests that while some have found their calling in game design, others may still be searching for it or have pivoted into something else entirely. Overall, it’s a mixed picture: great potential for a rewarding career exists, but it’s clear that not every graduate finds their way into fulfilling work within the industry quickly or easily.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Game and Interactive Media Design can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your background and interests. If you’re passionate about gaming, storytelling, and creative design, you might find it really exciting and engaging, even if it does require a lot of hard work and dedication. You’ll usually have to tackle subjects like programming, 3D modeling, and even some teamwork projects, which can be tough if you’re new to them. So, while it might be a bit harder than some other degrees, if you put in the effort and love what you’re doing, it can also be a lot of fun! Just be ready to commit time and energy into your projects and learning new skills!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Game and Interactive Media Design.
Looking through the employment history of these Game and Interactive Media Design graduates, it's clear that there’s quite a bit of variation in their earnings and career progression. For instance, graduates from Full Sail University and the University of Southern California often seem to land positions in companies like Epic Games and Blizzard, which are known for good pay, especially for roles such as programmers, sound designers, or game artists. On the flip side, some graduates show a pattern of bouncing between lower-paying roles such as sales associates or customer support, which might indicate they haven’t quite broken into the higher-paying game design positions yet.
If you’re aiming for an economically rewarding career in game design or interactive media, focusing on internships at notable companies, building a strong portfolio, and leveraging networking opportunities might be the keys to getting those better-paying jobs. It looks like some of the graduates took paths that left them with more modest paychecks, while others positioned themselves in roles that could lead to more lucrative careers. The opportunities are definitely out there, but it really depends on the path you choose post-graduation!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Game and Interactive Media Design. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Game and Interactive Media Design (ordered by the average relevance score of their Game and Interactive Media Design graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Savannah College of Art and Design
|
75 | 10 |
 Full Sail University
|
45 | 23 |