Character Designer

A character designer is an individual who designs characters for movies, video games, animation, or comics. Just like an illustrator, they work with clients to help their character come to life visually. They focus on making the character design communicate who they are, such as their personality, background, and the role they play in the story.

Packaging Designer

A packaging designer is responsible for creating product packaging that aligns with the brand and appeals to the target audience. Essentially, they create the physical and visual suit that a product wears. They blend art with engineering, by designing boxes, bags, bottles, whatever the product needs to be packaged in. Packaging designers want to ensure that the product looks appealing on the self so more customers would buy them, while also making sure the packaging is protected during shipping. Most importantly, they make sure the packaging is clearly communicating what the product is and what it does.

Freelance Designer

A freelance designer is self-employed and gets hired by different clients. They work on a project-to-project basis, which means they are able to set their own hours and rates. “Others discover that they enjoy the flexibility and independence of freelance work, allowing them to set their own schedules, choose their clients, and work from virtually anywhere,” said Hornbeak. Freelance designers create visual material, such as logos, website layouts, and graphics.

UI/UXDesigner

A user interface designer is the digital architect. They create the visuals, look, feel, and layout of online things like websites, apps, or softwares. They use color, typography, and aesthetics to ensure that the interfaces are intuitive and visually engaging. UI designers usually work closely with UX researchers and developers to help them create the visuals. A user experience designer comes after UI. While the UI designer designs the visual, the UX designer makes sure that what they have decided is effective and user friendly.

Web Designer

A web designer does exactly what it sounds like. They create and plan the layout of websites. They ensure the website is user friendly, while also ensuring the color and aesthetics work, and that the website works for all consumers.

Multimedia Designer

A multimedia designer is an individual who uses art and technology to make engaging visual or audio content. They could add elements such as animations or graphics to whatever they are designing and can be put on platforms such as websites, social media, or digital ads. Their goal is to make consumers engage more with the brand they are designing.

Social Media Designer

A social media designer creates content for social media platforms, such as Instagram, Tik Tok, and Facebook. They create visually engaging content that is aesthetically pleasing and engaging to the eye. Their goal is to bring more awareness to the brand they are designing for, and to get more engagement on posts.

Brand Designer

A brand designer is a professional who conveys a company’s public image. They design the brand, making sure that everything looks right, such as the logo, colors, and typography. They create the visual personality of a company. They ensure that the company looks appealing while also trustworthy to customers.

Advertising Designer

An advertising designer is someone who creates visuals to persuade people to buy a product or to notice a brand. They want consumers to take action by designing things that are visually appealing and interesting to look at. They design things such as print ads, digital ads, or ads for social media platforms to bring awareness.

Motion Graphics Designer

A motion graphics designer is someone who brings things to life through designs, such as adding animation, audio, or visual effects. They create moving content for things such as movies, tv, websites, social media, etc.

Where will your graphic design degree take you?

According to Hornbeak, “One of the greatest strengths of a graphic design degree is its versatility. There is no single path to success. Instead, graduates can shape their careers around their interests, talents, and goals.” Graphic design offers many opportunities to turn creativity into a great and meaningful career.

MUSICAL THEATRE

Musical theatre is a form of live performance that tells a story through acting, dialogue, singing, and dancing. The music and dancing are integrated into the plot of the show, and it is used to show character emotions. Musical theatre majors get many opportunities to figure out what they want to do in musical theatre. At CSU, there are two main productions each academic year in the Lightsey Chapel. Students will also have the chance to participate in a Black Box production. Weekly voice lessons help expand knowledge in musical theatre, and students gain experience on how to perform and gain understanding for every aspect of theatre by hands-on experience and engagement.

MUSIC THERAPY

The most common career for this major is a board-certified music therapist. There are many different types of therapy a music therapist can work in. A clinical music therapist works in general or psychiatric hospitals, as well as rehabilitation centers, substance abuse programs, etc. They use music to improve a patient’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and sometimes spiritual well-being. They also can work in
end-of-life care such as home care or hospice to help patients manage pain, grief, and anxiety. Some work in special education, which collabs with schools and child life departments to help children who may have developmental delays or behavior challenges. There are private institutions one can work in, such as working in an independent studio offering lessons or working at community workshops.

MUSIC AND WORSHIP LEADERSHIP

Most careers involve working in a church. Some careers include worship pastors or leaders, who direct the worship part of services. There are choir directors who manage the church music programs. There are also behind-the-scenes careers, such as creative art directors or technical directors.

PERFORMANCE

Depending on what one studies in performance, there are a variety of careers. For both vocal and instrumental, there are orchestra or jazz musicians, opera singers, theatre pit musicians, and event performers. Some people in performance also branch out to teaching or conducting, or even music therapy. Locally, they can perform in places such as North ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Pops, Piccolo Spoleto, and the ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Jazz Orchestra. Some CSU faculty members have recorded professional records and received grammy nominations.

MUSICAL THEATRE

Musical theatre can go far beyond Broadway. There are other careers such as performing in a local theater, directors, music directors, choreographers, production, stage managers, sound designers, lighting designers, casting directors, talent agents, and more. Locally, there are many opportunities such as teaching with local musical theatre centers, schools, and other theater/arts organizations.

Where will your music degree take you?

While having a music degree is a lot of performing, it goes deeper than that. Students develop creativity and thinking skills, or as Lewis said, the ability to perform under pressure. There are several different types of careers one can do, proving that music is more than just singing; it’s a way of living.

Training and Development Coordinator

A training and development coordinator is a company’s organizational educator. Responsibilities include teaching staff new skills, organizing learning programs for companies, and sometimes leading training sessions.

Crisis Hotline Counselor

A crisis hotline counselor is a trained listener who will provide confidential and immediate emotional support to someone who is overwhelmed, distressed, or having thoughts of suicide. They can help calm an individual, give coping strategies, and connect with local help. They are judgment free people who will let people talk about what is bothering them. They will make sure the person is safe and will help de-escalate the situation. They also will offer advice, suggest tips, and can refer an individual to resources or therapists if needed.

Case Manager

A case manager can act as a guide. They assess someone’s needs and will connect someone with the resources they need. Case managers help others get the proper support that they need.

Victim Advocate

A victim advocate is someone who supports those who have been affected by crime or trauma. Just like a case manager, they act as a guide and help victims understand what their legal rights are, help them navigate the confusing court system, and help them access resources if needed such as an emergency shelter, counseling, and compensation. They provide a safe, nonjudgemental space to talk and help them process things.

EDUCATION:

While being a guidance counselor or a child psychologist requires having a master’s or more, there are still quite a few careers in education someone with a psychology degree can pursue.

Academic Advisor

An academic advisor helps students figure out what classes they need to take to graduate, keeps them on track with degree requirements and can connect someone to campus resources if needed.

Career Counselor

By furthering one’s education, one can become a licensed counselor. However, one can still have a career in counseling with a bachelor’s. For example, a career counselor advises students on career opportunities, assists with resume writing, and administrates personality or interest assessments.

Registered Behavior Technician

A Registered Behavior Technician works with the supervision of a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. They work with children, specifically children who may have behavior or developmental disabilities to navigate life. They teach them life skills, help build their communication, and work on decreasing bad behaviors. Becoming a missionary in a Spanish-speaking country or in a primarily Spanish-speaking area in the U.S could be a great career for those who are looking to integrate their faith into their job. 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE:

There are several paths a graduate in psychology can take in the criminal justice field, since most of the roles involve having a deep understanding of human behavior.

Probation/Parole Officer

A probation or parole officer supervises individuals who have been convicted of a crime, allowing them to live in the community rather than serving time in jail or prison. They meet regularly with the individual to track their progress, as well as conducting home and workplace visits, administering drug tests, and making sure that the individual is following all court-ordered rules.

Correctional Case Manager

A correctional case manager works in prisons to assess inmates’ mental health needs. They assist with their rehabilitation and prepare them as they re-enter society. They are the connection between the prisoners and staff.

Juvenile Justice Counselor

A juvenile justice counselor, or a corrections case worker, is someone who guides juveniles who have broken the law. They help the teens understand why they got into trouble, teach them better decision-making skills, and help them steer toward a more successful future. They also provide counseling to help youths address any trauma or anger.

TRANSCRIPTIONIST

A transcriptionist is someone who listens to audio and then translates it for Spanish-speaking people. Or vice versa, you can translate Spanish audio into English for English-speaking people. This career could be in a courtroom, hospital, business, or a church.

OUTREACH COORDINATOR

People who only speak Spanish might sometimes feel like an outsider in a predominately English-speaking community. Having someone who speaks Spanish can make them feel more at home.

INTERPRETER

An interpreter is someone who interprets to other people what someone is saying. Just like a transcriptionist, it could be from Spanish to English, or English to Spanish. This career could also be in places like a courtroom, hospital, business, or a church.

EDUCATOR

As Sullivan said, a degree in Spanish can lead you to working in the school system. “Students can use this degree along with certifications in education to teach Spanish at the elementary and high school levels. They can also teach English as a Second Language courses in those same institutions, in community centers, or with governmental agencies,” said Tabor. He explained, some careers do need more certification; however, there are careers in the education system that you can get with a bachelor’s degree.

ESL TEACHER

An ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher uses both English and Spanish to communicate. While the teacher is teaching the students English, sometimes talking to them in Spanish can help them feel more comfortable and allow connection with them. This career is not just in schools, as Tabor explained. It can be in community centers and governmental agencies.

TUTOR

This is a good career if you want to help students more individually. By becoming a Spanish tutor, you have the opportunity to help students who may be struggling in Spanish. Or you could tutor Spanish-speaking students who are struggling with learning English.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES PROFESSIONAL

If you don’t want to teach but still do something in education, working with international students could be a way to go. You can help international students adjust by helping them connect with other students. It also helps the student feel more at home knowing there is someone who understands them.

MISSIONS

If you are someone who wants to share your faith with Spanish-speaking people, working in missions might be for you. A missionary is someone who spreads their faith by evangelizing and teaching the gospel to those around them. A missionary can be anywhere, from your hometown to a different country. They focus on helping others understand what the gospel is and how it can change their life.

Becoming a missionary in a Spanish-speaking country or in a primarily Spanish-speaking area in the U.S could be a great career for those who are looking to integrate their faith into their job. 

JOURNALISM

Journalism is the process of gathering, verifying, and reporting news and information to the public. It is an exciting field that focuses on current events and global issues. A person in journalism is expected to provide an audience with accurate and objective facts so they can make informed decisions about their daily lives, communities, and society. 

Some common types of journalism are hard news, which is more urgent, and accurate reporting on current events. There’s also human interest, which is aimed more at entertainment and lifestyle rather than breaking events. There is also opinion and columns, which give a specific perspective on something. CSU offers multiple classes with journalism aspects, such as Media Writing, Mass Media, Editing, and Multimedia Production.

SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTENT CREATOR

Communication majors make excellent social media managers. Working in social media has a lot of paths. A social media manager is the voice of a brand online. They are responsible for creating content, interacting with followers, as well as managing a company’s presence across social media platforms. Their goal is to grow an audience and build a positive reputation. 

Some of the work that social media managers do is content creation, scheduling and posting, interacting with followers, and tracking their performance. CSU offers a social media class taught by Professor Chelsea Eddington. This class teaches you how to post on social media in order to get engagement by others.