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First, some facts. Of the Graphic Design graduates from Virginia Commonwealth 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 74%, Graphic Design graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University have a higher likelihood (+7%) 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 10% 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: 76% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2018 from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA in Graphic Design. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONFreelance Graphic Designer Self Employed May 2018 - May 2019 Contract Graphic Designer Speakerbus Feb 2020 - May 2021 Freelance Graphic Designer Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic Mar 2020 - Oct 2021 Graphic Designer Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New York May 2019 - Feb 2023 Freelance Graphic Designer Self-employed Jan 2021 - Feb 2023 Shift Manager  Pet Supplies Plus Sep 2021 - Feb 2023 Executive Assistant Huntsinger & Jeffer, Inc. Jan 2023 - Present ABOUTI am a designer who has a wide variety of skills in different aspects of digital design and communication. My attention to detail, creative marketing experience, and technical knowledge allow me to create work that best represents the wants and needs of my clients. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From your analysis of LinkedIn profiles, it looks like most graduates with a Graphic Design degree from Virginia Commonwealth University tend to land jobs that closely relate to their field. A good chunk of them take on roles as designers, art directors, or graphic design specialists. For instance, jobs like Senior Graphic Designer or Freelance Graphic Designer require direct application of design skills every day, making them a great fit for their background. Even positions like Design Director demand higher-level graphic expertise and often include managing creative projects, which ties back to their education pretty well.
However, there are also graduates who end up in roles that don't quite measure up to their design training. For instance, some have taken jobs in administrative roles, sales, or customer service that don’t utilize their graphic design skills at all. Overall, while many seem to stick to jobs that build upon their coursework and creative development, others stray into unrelated territories, which means their degrees might not be serving them as effectively as they could. It's a mixed bag, but it’s clear that the ones who remain in design-focused positions are really making the most of their education.
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 Virginia Commonwealth University):
The career trajectories of Graphic Design graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) seem quite promising, especially in the early years after graduation. Many of the alumni start off with design-related positions like junior designers, graphic designers, or interns in various companies. For instance, in the class of 2012, graduates have taken roles like designer and art director in marketing and branding firms right after graduation. The tendency to secure jobs that align closely with their degree indicates a solid foundational skill set and a strong emphasis on practical experience gained during their studies. It's encouraging to see that many individuals have climbed the ranks to positions such as senior designer, design manager, and even directors within just a few years. This indicates a vibrant and potentially lucrative career path for many of them.
As we look at career paths five to ten years post-graduation, there’s a mix of outcomes. For some, like those who graduated in 2014 and 2018, they moved into higher roles like senior designer or creative director, proving that persistence and experience can lead to significant career advancements in the creative field. However, there are also those who have veered off into unrelated fields or freelance work, showing that the industry can be competitive and that not every path is linear. Some graduates have taken job roles that may not fully utilize their graphic design skills, such as administrative or service-oriented positions. Overall, while many VCU graduates have successfully navigated their careers in graphic design, there are a notable number who may have found it challenging to maintain a trajectory strictly within their field, reflecting a mix of success and adaptability in their professional journeys.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is definitely a solid challenge, but it’s also super rewarding if you’re passionate about the subject. VCU has a pretty good reputation, and the program is known for its rigorous coursework, which means you’ll be doing a lot of hands-on projects and critiques that can really push your creative skills. You’ll be juggling everything from design theory to software skills, and it can get pretty intense at times, especially if you're working on a big project close to a deadline. Overall, it's definitely on the tougher side compared to some other degrees, but if you love art and design, you’ll probably find it’s more fun than hard! Just be ready to put in some hours and get ready for some constructive feedback along the way.
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 VCU Graphic Design grads, it seems like the earlier graduates are doing pretty well in their careers with solid positions like Design Director and Creative Director, which likely come with decent salaries. However, for the more recent grads, especially those from the classes of 2020 and 2021, it looks like they're still finding their footing, with some taking on part-time or service jobs while juggling design gigs, which probably doesn’t pay as well. So, while some of the older alumni have moved into more lucrative roles, a lot of the younger ones are still in a bit of a grind, trying to level up in the design world.
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 Virginia Commonwealth 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:
