For Parents & Guardians
Career Answers
Turning a creative passion into a lifelong career is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences available to young artists.
Will my student find employment in their chosen field?
With a BFA degree from an art and design college, your student will have the skills to adapt to an ever-changing world. Many of the career pathways your student can pursue haven’t even been imagined yet. But with skills such as the ability to take and implement critique to fuel their growth, flexibility in the face of constant change, and creative problem-solving, your student will have some of the most highly sought-after tools in their toolbox.
Your student will share their final thesis project with the community and potential employers at the annual Senior Show. (See examples from the Class of 2023, Class of 2022, Class of 2021, and Class of 2020.) After graduation, every student’s creative path is unique. Your student’s focus on career-oriented projects during their time at PCA&D will prepare them to meet the demands of a diverse and rapidly expanding job market. This versatility will be their calling card as they confidently find their way.
Where do PCA&D graduates work and what do they do?
Listed below are the positions and titles held by PCA&D Alumni. You can also read more of their stories here.
Graphic Designer at Apple
Replacement Animation Tester at Laika, LLC
Graphic Designer at Chartwells Higher Education
Freelance Illustrator for Dungeons and Dragons/Magic the Gathering
Business Owner Art for Everyone
Team Photographer for the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury
Co-owner of Decades Restaurant and Game Destination
Instructional Course Designer for Geneia
Storyboard Artist at Nickelodeon Animation
Game Artist at Rovio Studios in Helsinki
Visual Development Artist for Titmouse Studio
Business Owner/Designer Avery Creative Company
3D Footwear Designer at Nike Creative and Brand Lead
Business Owner/Designer Go Rabbit Design Studio
Photographer in NYC
Co-owner of Zoetropolis Restaurant and Local Cinema
User Experience Designer at Analytical Graphics
Senior Graphic Designer at CloudOne
Experience Design Manager for LEGO
Public Art Installation Artist
Graphic Designer for Citadel Federal Credit
Publishing Company Graphic Designer
Creative Director at LaunchDM
Comic and Graphic Novel Artist
Interactive Designer and User Interface Designer for Automatik
Photographer for Saks Fifth Avenue
Manufacturer Animator at Netflix
Developer at Kinectiv
Toy Designer at DC Comics
Art Director at Lehigh Valley Style Magazine
Visual Development Artist for Netflix Animation
Photo Editor for Shades of Light
Graphic Designer at globalHMA
Senior Graphic Designer & Web Designer for Ethosource Office Furniture
President/CEO L&H Companies
Professor of Game Design Harrisburg University
Owners of Curio Art Supply Store
Product Manager for Patton Picture
Design Manager at Ceros
Vice President at SAAArchitects
Web and Marketing Specialist for URL Insurance
Business Owner RockHound Apparel
PCA&D Office of Development and Department Chairpersons Tracking Data
What kind of salary will my student make?
Below are projected earnings PCA&D graduates may anticipate in traditional studio and institutional art occupations.
What are PCA&D’s 2022 alumni doing since graduation?
Of the alumni who responded to the 2022 Graduate Survey, 100% of the respondents were either employed by others, self-employed, in graduate school, or completing a fellowship/residency program. (Eleven alumni did not respond to the survey).
