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First, some facts. Of the Industrial and Product Design graduates from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 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? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 84%, Industrial and Product Design graduates from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have a much higher likelihood (+17%) 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 Industrial and Product 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 2010 from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial and Product Design. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONOwner Hoplon Enterprises May 2011 - Present ABOUTExperienced Sales Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the Automation and Packaging Industry. Strong technical sales professional skilled in troubleshooting, engineering, and bringing user based design solutions from ideation to market. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the job paths of people who graduated from the Industrial and Product Design program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, it's clear that a mix of relevant and less relevant roles emerged. Many graduates stepped into positions like UX or Product Designers, which directly relate to the principles and skills they learned in their degree, such as user-centered design and product development. Roles like Design Directors or Freelance Artists also strongly connect to their education, as they demand creativity and a solid understanding of design principles. On the other hand, some graduates took paths that seemed less aligned with their degree, such as teaching or retail positions, where design expertise isn't an essential part of the job. Overall, it appears that while a significant number found roles that are highly relevant to Industrial and Product Design, there are still a few who ventured into areas that don’t quite utilize their technical skills.
What’s interesting is how many of them ended up in design-related positions in various industries, including tech and consulting, which indicates a versatility in their degree. Many graduates transitioned smoothly into roles that involve design thinking and creativity, even if they're not strictly 'product design' roles. Like, the fact that some ended up focusing on UX design shows that there's a demand for design skills in areas that might not traditionally be viewed as directly related to industrial design. But, it's also worth noting that not every graduate was able to directly apply what they learned in their studies, hinting that the path from college to career can sometimes take unexpected turns!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Industrial and Product Design graduates (this is across all Industrial and Product Design graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign):
The graduates from the Industrial and Product Design program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign showcase a pretty exciting range of career paths. Many of them dive into design-related roles right after graduating. For instance, several graduates have started off as designers or interns at reputable companies, where they'll often work on hands-on product and UX design tasks. It's cool to see that even just a couple of years post-graduation, they're moving up to more senior positions like Lead UX Design Consultant or even starting their own design firms. This suggests that the skills and knowledge they gained during their studies are translating well into real-world job opportunities.
Looking further out, around 5 to 10 years after graduation, many alumni seem to have landed solid and relevant positions in design-focused roles. Some of them have taken the entrepreneurial route, launching their own companies after a few years of experience working for others. Others have continued to climb the corporate ladder within established organizations, moving into lead designer or director roles. Overall, it seems like the Industrial and Product Design program sets graduates up for a successful career trajectory, often keeping them connected to design, whether it be through traditional roles or entrepreneurial ventures. It’s a promising picture for future students considering this path!
So, if you're thinking about a Bachelor’s in Industrial and Product Design at a place like University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, be ready for a mix of creativity and technical work. It's kind of challenging, honestly. You’ll be juggling design projects, sketching, computer-aided design software, and maybe even some engineering concepts, which can feel pretty demanding. Plus, there’s usually a significant focus on teamwork and critiques, so you need to be open to feedback and collaboration. It's definitely not the easiest degree out there, but if you're passionate about design and willing to put in the effort, it can be super rewarding! Just be prepared to work hard and stay organized.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Industrial and Product Design.
Looking at the career paths of these Industrial and Product Design graduates from the University of Illinois, it seems like they've generally landed on their feet financially, especially the later graduates. The alumni from 2010 and 2011 are doing their own thing or freelancing, which can be hit-or-miss income-wise, but the ones who entered the job market in 2013 onward seem to have secured some pretty steady positions, especially in UX design, which is a hot field right now. The more recent grads have also jumped into roles like Design Director and Senior Creative Designer, suggesting they're earning decent salaries right out of college. Overall, it looks like a promising start for many of these designers!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Industrial and Product Design (this is across all Industrial and Product Design graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Industrial and Product Design (ordered by the average relevance score of their Industrial and Product Design graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
|
84 | 10 |
 University of Cincinnati
|
84 | 13 |
 Savannah College of Art and Design
|
73 | 16 |