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Advice about next steps as a Graphic Designer
Written By elysa on Jun. 14, 2007.
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I have a question most specifically for Graphic Designers and Art Directors.
I graduated from college 2 years ago and I have been working as a graphic designer for 3 years now and I am trying to decide what is the best next step for me.
I am considering starting on my Masters degree. My ultimate long term goal is to become a professor.
I am looking for advice/opinions about the current timing. I would continue to work full time (gotta pay the bills) and take 1 or 2 classes a semester. I am just not sure if it is better to work in the field longer before starting on Masters degree.
I know some Universities won't hire someone as a professor until you have 10 years of work experience, if that is the case maybe it would be better to continue my education closer to that time.
What do you guys think?
RightOn
Written Jun. 14, 2007 / Report /
I would really look into the NEED for a Masters degree as I know MOST of my professors didn't have one, just an awesome portfolio.
It all depends on where you're wanting to teach because honestly, I don't see any real need to do MORE schooling on a subject like design unless you're looking into teaching a specific aspect of the 'craft'.
I'd say a dozen or more of my college professors in design said not even to bother.
But that's just me :)
cechols
Written Jun. 14, 2007 / Report /
RightOn makes some good points, and he's right for the most part. But make sure you consider what your end goal is.
If you want to teach at a state university or even at the community college/small private college level, then experience alone is probably going to be sufficient. But if you're looking to end up tenured at an art & design school or a more "prestigious" university, then a Masters is going to serve you well.
Your pay grade and ability to secure hard-to-get positions will benefit from having a post-graduate degree. And you will continue working while you're studying. Projects and thesis work will invariably become the bulk of your portfolio, and that's the heart of any art student's working CV.
Like RightOn said, decide if you need the Masters degree. Design is one of those fields where not having a degree isn't a drawback - if you're working as a designer. Your work will speak for itself.
But teaching is a different animal. Finishing a graduate program is never going to hurt your chances at getting tenured.