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First, some facts. Of the Graphic Design graduates from George Mason University 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 18 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 85%, Graphic Design graduates from George Mason University have a much higher 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 0% 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 Graphic Design graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 91% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONGraphic Design Contractor HomeNovator.com Jan 2013 - Jun 2013 Marketing Graphic Designer K12 Jun 2013 - Jan 2015 K12-Fuel Education Lead Graphic Designer Fuel Education LLC Jan 2014 - Jan 2015 Graphic Designer + Production Custom Ink Jun 2015 - Feb 2016 Graphic Designer Neustar, Inc. Mar 2016 - Jun 2016 Graphic Design Contractor MDB Communications Jul 2016 - Jul 2016 Graphic Designer + Production Streetsense Aug 2016 - Jul 2019 Volunteer Design TA  George Mason University Dec 2017 - May 2020 Integrated Designer Bloomberg Industry Group Aug 2019 - Nov 2019 Senior Designer Bloomberg Industry Group Dec 2019 - Present ABOUTAs a professional designer, my goal is to become part of a team, where I am able to express and execute my creative, unique ideas to these areas but not limited to: identity/corporate branding, UX/UI, editorial design, package design, print design and much more. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at all the job roles that graduates with a Graphic Design degree from George Mason University have taken on, there's a clear trend showing a strong prevalence of positions directly linked to graphic design. Many alumni have worked in roles like Graphic Designer, Lead Graphic Designer, and Graphic Production Artist, which directly harness the skills learned during their studies. Other related jobs, like Marketing Graphic Designer and Technical Illustrator, also demonstrate how these grads have successfully incorporated their design knowledge into various professional contexts, showing the versatility of a Graphic Design degree. There's a notable representation of roles across different industries, too, which suggests that graduates are applying their creativity and design principles in lots of exciting ways.
However, not every job held by these graduates is tied directly to graphic design. Some have taken on roles like Marketing Manager or positions focused on security and administration where design skills might come in handy but aren't the main focus of the job. For instance, some graduates transitioned to positions with marketing components or even jobs that just peripherally touch on design. This indicates that while many find relevant and fulfilling careers in graphic design, others might veer off into roles that don’t fully align with what they trained for, perhaps due to market demands or personal interests. Overall, though, a good chunk of these graduates seem to find their way back to meaningful design-related positions.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Graphic Design graduates (this is across all Graphic Design graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to George Mason University):
When you look at the career trajectories of Graphic Design graduates from George Mason University, it’s pretty clear that many of them have stuck to the creative field, especially in their early career stages. A lot of graduates started off with internships or entry-level positions like graphic designer or production artist, which is pretty typical for fresh grads. For instance, those who graduated a few years back quickly landed jobs as junior designers, graphic design specialists, or even took on internships that provided valuable on-the-job experience. This kind of step is critical as it helps lay a solid foundation for their careers.
Fast forward 5 to 10 years, and you see a mix of outcomes. Some graduates have climbed the ladder to become senior designers, marketing communication associates, or even take on leadership roles such as design directors. Others have dabbled in freelance work or diversified their skills by taking on related roles in marketing or project management. However, it’s not all sunshine and roses; some folks have pivoted away from graphic design altogether or taken jobs that feel less relevant to their original degree. Overall, while there are definitely success stories and many graduates working in fulfilling design careers, there are also those who’ve had to navigate a less linear path. So, if you’re considering graphic design as a major, it’s good to know that there are various trajectories you could take! Just keep an open mind along the way.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design at George Mason University, or pretty much anywhere, can be a bit of a mixed bag. It’s not super easy, but if you’re passionate about design and willing to put in the effort, you’ll probably find it manageable. You’ll be diving into a lot of creative projects, learning various software, and developing your skills, which can be fun but also time-consuming. It’s definitely challenging because it pushes you to think critically and creatively, but if you love art and design, it’s more about honing your talent than just hitting the books all the time. Just be prepared for some late nights working on those final projects!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design.
Looking at the career paths of these George Mason University graphic design grads, it seems like some are doing pretty well, while others might be earning a bit less than you'd hope for with a degree in design. Those who graduated earlier, like the ones from 2011 and 2012, have landed roles at established companies like Whole Foods and Freddie Mac, which likely means they’re making decent money. On the other hand, some of the newer grads have taken on internships or entry-level positions that may not pay as well initially, but they seem to be progressing to better roles pretty quickly. Overall, there's a mix of solid opportunities and some that might not be the most lucrative right out of school, so it really depends on the individual’s choices and the opportunities they come across.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design (this is across all Graphic Design graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to George Mason University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design (ordered by the average relevance score of their Graphic Design graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
