Career Paths

An industrial design degree from Iowa State opens the door to exciting and creative careers in private and corporate practice, with both design consulting firms and product manufacturers.

Students have completed internships in a broad range of industries, at places like:

• Procter & Gamble
• Stryker
• Michael Kors
• Kohler Company
• 3M
• Neal Feay Co.

Graduates have gone to work at places like:

• Nike
• John Deere
• Radio Flyer
• Vans
• HNI Corporation (HON, Allsteel)

What kind of Industrial Design jobs are there?

Career choices with an industrial design degree include (but are not limited to):

• Product developer
• Automotive designer
• Footwear & accessory designer
• Construction & agricultural equipment designer
• Furniture & lighting designer
• Interaction designer
• Exhibit designer
• Packaging designer
• Advertising & experience designer

To learn more about industrial design, check out these professional associations. Complete employment statistics can be found here.

Career Preparation & Opportunities to Network

In addition to the preparation that takes place in studios and through sponsored projects, students have access to courses, services, and programs to help them be successful in a job search. Iowa State offers several career fairs each academic year ad there are opportunities for design students at many of them. The College of Design hosts one dedicated to design and also participates in the Big 12 Virtual Career Fair. Students have access to online platforms like CyHire for job and internship seeking, GoinGlobal for information on international job seeking and destinations, Big Interview for on-demand interview practice and more than 150 video tutorials. Design Career Services offers individual appointments, presentations, mock interviews, resume reviews and more. Students also take a course focusing on portfolio development and professional practice.

Students with an interest in entrepreneurship have access to programs and opportunities through the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. The Student Innovation Center offers programs, equipment, spaces and more.  Student organizations like the Industrial Designers Society of America- Student Chapter or Women Who Design offer opportunities to connect.