Portfolio vs Qualification in the US
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- shapeaspect
My wife (an American) and I are looking to move to the US in the next 5 years or so. I'll most likely be looking for work as a graphic designer and will have had 13 years experience by that time. How much weight do American employers place on your qualifications and school reputation vs what's in your portfolio?
I say this because I never got my bachelor's degree, only a certificate from one year of studying design. The rest has all been learning on the job and reading books.
My wife seems to think not having a degree would be a big problem for me in the US. Should I spend time getting that qualification before I go, or is a solid portfolio and experience enough?
- monNom-1
It's a bit complex. Nobody in the right mind would hire a bad designer purely because they had a degree. However, many HR departments in larger organizations just want to cover their asses, so a degree may make you less of a risk in their eyes.
In the eyes of the government when applying for a visa, a degree might benefit you as it certifies that you have a certain level of education, and career prospects vs. someone without a degree. However you can probably make a case that you've displayed a specialized and uncommon skill set in your previous employment, and are thus eligible for visa based on unique skills.
So there's no clear cut answer. It depends on who you might work for, and what category of visa you go for. I'd research, talk to someone who knows this stuff for a living, and weigh the expense and time involved in finishing your degree with the marginal value it may offer, and the fact that you may be applying for a visa after a period of "unemployment" which might not look good. That's something to check into as well.
Best of luck!
- bainbridge-1
It's more important that they know of the clients. Good work for random unknown clients can be bad for you. Mediocre work for global companies can be good for you.
No small studio would care about a degree if they like your work. A corporate company might not though if some hr person gets involved in the hiring.
- ezkl-1
Of course getting a job will probably depend on how good your work is versus your qualifications. However, I have a lot of friends with experience on getting visas in the US and they all say that having a degree is crucial and will definitely work towards your advantage when it comes to legal stuff and getting the permission to work. No visa, no stay, no work
- shapeaspect-1
Interesting to hear everyone's thoughts. Given that most of my work has been for local clients I think that doesn't do me any favours. In saying that, I've always worked for small studios and would hope to continue that in the US. Of course, that's a perfect world scenario, the idea is that I should plan for a less than ideal outcome and try and safeguard myself as much as possible. Getting a degree falls into part of that strategy.
In terms of getting the appropriate visa – and excuse my ignorance – but is the fact that I'm married to a US citizen not enough to qualify me to work there?
- you can get a visa/greencard through your spousehotroddy
- I'm no expert, but if you want to go the work permit route small studios will also be a disadvantage as sponsoring an employee requires a lot of resourcesezkl
- If you're married to a U.S citizen I don't think you need to be worried about having a B.A. I believe it only matters if you're applying for a work visa.martinadolfsson
- Favour = Favor. Now you're a US citizen.ArmandoEstrada
- shapeaspect7
Update. it worked out.
- :)Gnash
- Nice! Ignore my comment below. lol.monospaced
- Thank you. San Francisco is funny place, but I like it hereshapeaspect
- you must be ignoring a lot of people around youimbecile
- monospaced0
Very little emphasis on the degree. For design, I can tell if someone has had a good “education” or not. Some people are just naturally talented though and I would hire them too without one. It helps I guess but it isn’t the end all. Some companies might weed your resume out without one though.
- Oh fuck why did I write this on an ancient thread. Congrats.monospaced
- Haha. You’re great. I set you up by bumping my nearly decade old thread!shapeaspect
- imbecile-3
i've been doing this for 25 years (signs your getting old)
all any employer cares about is if it says "bachelor's"
for anyone reading, let me say that again, but you should read it more slowly...
all any employer cares about is if it SAYS "bachelor's"
that's all they care about
that's it
do with that information what you so choose
(disclaimer: as far as this thread goes, i have only read the first sentence of mono's response)
- CyBrainX0
I've been doing this for nearly 30 years. I have an Associates Degree in advertising. It was just before the internet. I've lied on job applications every single time and one one bothered to look after hiring me because it couldn't possibly matter.
As monNom said, "In the eyes of the government when applying for a visa, a degree might benefit you as it certifies that you have a certain level of education". I'm not sure if that matters.
- shapeaspect0
To give some context and to provide any useful information to anyone who finds themselves in a similar position, the spouse/partnership visa is what worked out for us in the end. Obviously that’s a very unique situation, but it certainly made the process a lot easier for someone with no exceptional skills. Securing the visa ended up costing around $8000USD and I couldn’t legally work in the country for my first 6 months of living there, so having some savings to fall back on is very important.
- doesnotexist0
ive never discussed the need for or appreciation of a degree in creative. ever.
- agreed, especially considering art schools will hand out degrees to any chump willing to pay for itmonospaced
- I saw tons of designers "graduate" with degrees, and most of them would barely scratch by as junior UI/UX product designers, the lowest rung possible.monospaced
- I've seen and hired designers without degrees that are far more skilled and impressive than many without.monospaced
- Anyway, I learned a ton more from my first job/mentor that was useful, in a hands on work environment, that school didn't and couldn't provide.monospaced
- exact. there weren't a lot of options for creative degrees 20 yrs ago either. now my architecture school has art dir & creative dirdoesnotexist
- historically graphic design used to be viewed as a trade not art... i still like to think it is.jonny_quest_lives
- cherub0
The visa application costs $8000 or did you pay a 3rd party to guide you through the process?