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Rod Berg
Associate Director, Career Services
Parsons The New School for Design
Soon after graduating in London with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, Rod Berg chose to work in the business of art, first as a recruiter, and for the last seven years, helping college students find internships and seniors find their first jobs.
How many students graduate from Parsons each year?
In May 2010 we'll graduate 841 undergraduate and graduate students. They'll receive a combination of 8 associates, bachelor's and masters degrees. Of them, 39 are fine arts students. The remainder are fashion designers, interior designers, graphic designers, architects, design managers, and a variety of other specialties.
Which students use the services of your office the most? And which, the least?
The fashion designers and multi-media designers are our office's biggest users, both as students and alumni. Fine arts students and photographers use us the least. Both of those almost naturally strike out on their own.
Is the present job market better for newly graduated art students or design students?
Design students, by far. Working artists aren't looking for employers. One thing they are looking for is a gallery to show their work, and galleries are struggling and disappearing. Not too many established galleries are taking a chance on aspiring artists in this economy. On the design side, companies are again hiring, perhaps replacing the people they've laid off with younger blood. A newly-hired young designer in New York City might start near $40,000. But in the publishing industry, it will probably be $30,000.
Is there a bright line of difference between art and design?
Design is commercial in nature. A designer is paid for time spent at work. Art is more independent. An artist is compensated for what he or she creates.
Do young Americans agree with that difference and see it clearly?
Once they understand it, they agree with it. Our job as a school is to help them understand it.
Who is better paid - a moderately successful artist or a moderately successful designer?
Tough question. I'm leaning toward the designer.
Is the art/design line crossed by a talented person very often?
No. It's acually quite rare.
How important is a job in New York City to an aspiring designer?
Very important. Many students who attend here come for the school's reputation and our location. New York City is our campus. A good number remain here. But a growing number of companies outside New York like Target, Fossil, Abercrombie & Fitch are recruiting successfully and offering attractive salaries.
Tell our audience something they may not know about Parsons and The New School.
Parsons is one of eight constituent schools, and we are the New School's largest.
TOPICS: Executive Briefing, Marketing, Teaching & Learning
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