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First, some facts. Of the Graphic Design graduates from Illinois State 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 15 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 79%, Graphic Design graduates from Illinois State University have a much higher likelihood (+12%) 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: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Art in Graphic Design. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONGraphic Design Intern COUNTRY Financial May 2012 - Dec 2012 Graphic Designer COUNTRY Financial Dec 2012 - May 2013 Graphic Design and Web Manager Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau May 2013 - Feb 2019 ABOUTI am a graphic designer in the Bloomington-Normal area and I studied art and design at Illinois State University. I graduated in December 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design. Art has always been a big part of my life and I love using my passion to work with others and make their vision a reality. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
So, after checking out all these LinkedIn profiles of folks who graduated with a degree in Graphic Design from Illinois State University, it’s pretty clear that the most common jobs they’ve landed are in roles like Graphic Designer, Graphic Design Intern, and positions that involve a mix of design and marketing. A lot of them started with internships where they really got to flex their design muscles—applying all that classroom knowledge directly, which is awesome! And many of them kept moving up the ladder into full-time graphic design roles at various companies, especially in marketing and creative agencies.
However, it’s also worth noting that not every job was directly related to graphic design. Some graduates took on positions like bartending or customer service, which definitely don’t use those artistic skills they honed in school. While many found their way back to design-oriented jobs, there were others mixed in that didn’t really tap into their graphic design skills on a daily basis. Overall, it seems like a good chunk of these graduates managed to stick closely to their graphic design roots, but there are definitely some who veered off into unrelated fields too.
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 Illinois State University):
Looking at the career paths of graduates from Illinois State University’s Graphic Design program, it’s clear that many have started out in internships or entry-level positions in the field immediately after graduation. A lot of early jobs include graphic design roles or internships, suggesting that these graduates are generally leveraging their degrees pretty effectively. For instance, the majority either returned to internships or secured roles as junior graphic designers with companies ranging from local businesses to big names like State Farm and the Chicago Bears.
Fast forward five or ten years later, and you can see a mix of success stories and some individuals veering slightly off the traditional graphic design track. Many have climbed the ladder to more senior or specialized roles within graphic design, like Art Director or Lead Designer, while a few have even transitioned into management positions or different fields altogether, like event management. While it seems like the majority are doing well in careers related to graphic design, a few have taken detours into other areas. Ultimately, it appears that a degree in Graphic Design from Illinois State University offers a solid foundation for a fulfilling career in design, with many graduates finding pathways that align with their skills and interests over time.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design can be a bit of a mixed bag, but it definitely leans towards the challenging side. At Illinois State University, you’ll be diving into a lot of different projects that require creativity, technical skills, and a good eye for design. You’ll spend time learning software like Adobe Creative Suite, working on group projects, and critiquing your peers’ work, which can be super intense. Plus, the workload can get heavy with deadlines and revisions, so it’s crucial to stay organized and manage your time well. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but if you’re passionate about design, it can also be really rewarding and fun!
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 job histories of these Graphic Design grads from Illinois State University, it seems like some have been able to carve out decent careers in a pretty competitive field, while others have taken a more winding path. The graduates who landed roles with big names like State Farm and the Chicago Bears likely saw some solid paychecks, especially as they climbed the ladder into lead or director positions. However, a few of them started out juggling internships and bartending gigs, which typically don’t pay much. It seems like there are some good success stories here, but for a lot of them, especially those just starting out, it's a mixed bag—early career pay might not be that great, but with experience and the right opportunities, they could be looking at a nice salary down the line. Overall, there's potential to make decent money, but it definitely varies!
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 Illinois State 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:
