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First, some facts. Of the Graphic Design graduates from Saginaw Valley 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 76%, Graphic Design graduates from Saginaw Valley State University have a higher likelihood (+9%) 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 2021 from Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Graphic Design. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONGraphic Designer Michigan Health Clinics Jan 2022 - Present ABOUTCurrently, I am working in the marketing department for MI Health Clinic, creating print and promotional materials. I studied at SVSU for Graphic Design and Marketing. I went to the Saginaw Career Complex for two years for Graphic Design in high school and this is where I went from fine art to Graphic Design. I mainly worked within Indesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and iMovie. I also competed at SkillsUSA two years in a row for ad design both of which times I went on from regionals to states. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from Saginaw Valley State University who studied Graphic Design, it's clear that a lot of them have landed roles that closely relate to their degree. Common positions include Graphic Designer, Art Director, and Lead Designer, which all heavily rely on the skills and knowledge gained from their studies. These roles involve creating visual content, managing projects, and leading creative teams, which are all essential aspects of graphic design. For instance, many graduates are working as Graphic Designers across various companies, and even those who have moved into roles like Marketing or HR Assistant found that their design skills sometimes came in handy but weren't the core focus of their job.
However, it’s not all sun and roses. Some graduates, especially those who ventured into areas like Marketing or Administrative roles, didn't end up utilizing their graphic design skills as much as one might expect. While a few marketing positions allow for some creative expression, they often veer away from pure design tasks. Overall, it seems like if graduates stick to roles that are undeniably tied to graphic design, like Graphic Designer or Art Director, they're able to make good use of what they learned. But there are definitely cases where individuals found themselves in jobs that didn’t fully reflect their degree, which is kind of a bummer. So, while many are thriving in design-related jobs, there’s still a mix where the connection to graphic design is a bit loose or even absent entirely.
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 Saginaw Valley State University):
Looking at the career paths of graduates from Saginaw Valley State University with degrees in Graphic Design, it seems like there’s a pretty decent mix of success and some less-than-ideal trajectories. Right out of college, many graduates land roles as graphic designers, which makes sense since that's the core of their studies. For example, several started as graphic designers at various companies like Quantum Chemical LLC and GetG5. It seems that many of these first jobs are in marketing or design, which is a good sign that they are entering fields relevant to their education. A few, unfortunately, veer off track fairly quickly into unrelated roles, like logistics or administrative positions, but that seems to be the exception rather than the rule.
As they gain experience, a number of grads appear to climb the ladder fairly effectively. About five to ten years later, we see many individuals moving into more advanced roles—like art directors, senior graphic designers, or even managerial positions at notable companies like Stellantis and Randstad. Others have broadened their skill sets and taken on roles in marketing or sales alongside their design expertise. Overall, the trend suggests that while some graduates may find themselves in jobs that don't fully utilize their graphic design training, a significant number do stick to the creative path, finding increasingly good opportunities as they progress in their careers. So, if you’re considering this field, it sounds like there’s a solid chance to build a meaningful career if you stay dedicated to your design roots!
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design can be pretty challenging, but it also has its fun moments! At Saginaw Valley State University or anywhere else, you’ll get a mix of hands-on projects, learning design software, and art theory, which can be a lot to juggle. If you've got a passion for creativity and are up for some late nights working on projects, it’s totally doable. Expect to put in some serious effort into your assignments and critiques, as they're a big part of the learning process. So, while it’s not the easiest degree out there, if you love design and are willing to put in the work, you’ll likely find it rewarding.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design.
Alright, so looking at these Saginaw Valley State University grads, it seems like they’ve been doing pretty well overall in their graphic design careers. The earlier graduates started off with some solid roles, moving up into Art Director and even Senior Designer positions, which typically pay decently; plus, working for big names like Dow Chemical and Stellantis usually means better salaries. Even the more recent grads are racking up experience with roles in marketing and branding, which can also pay off as they grow in their careers. Some of them are already in senior positions or heading towards management, so it looks like they’re on a promising path to making good money in the future. Overall, they seem to be carving out successful paths in their fields!
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 Saginaw Valley 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:
