Commercial and Industrial Designers Entry-Level Career Resources

Bachelor Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs (jobs after undergraduate degree)

Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with a Bachelor Degree, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page

Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Bachelor's Degree, and % with 1 year experience (or less).

These entry-level roles are designed for new bachelor's degree graduates ready to start their first professional position. For recent graduates who want realistic starting points that match their degree and experience level. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.

4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video .

This page will take you through 4 steps, to find entry level Bachelor degree jobs and careers: (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.

Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Bachelor's Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.

Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.

Step 1 of 4: Select a Career

Leading Books About Bachelor's Degree Jobs
What entry level jobs can you get with a Bachelor's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Bachelor's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having a Bachelor's Degree. - 110 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:

Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Bachelor's Degree) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)

Water Resource Specialists / 50.00% / 36.37% / ($157,740)

Medical Dosimetrists / 75.00% / 30.00% / ($132,880)

Actuaries / 89.28% / 82.14% / ($120,000)

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists / 76.00% / 36.00% / ($112,280)

Chemical Engineers / 95.65% / 78.26% / ($112,100)

Solar Energy Systems Engineers / 55.56% / 32.13% / ($111,970)

Photonics Engineers / 52.38% / 34.79% / ($111,970)

Orthoptists / 85.71% / 53.57% / ($107,990)

Materials Scientists / 66.66% / 52.38% / ($106,160)

Materials Engineers / 52.38% / 38.09% / ($104,100)

Computer Systems Analysts / 41.93% / 31.42% / ($103,800)

Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers / 88.47% / 46.16% / ($103,690)

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers / 50.00% / 41.17% / ($101,800)

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers / 43.48% / 52.18% / ($100,730)

Environmental Engineers / 66.66% / 61.91% / ($100,090)

Computer Programmers / 88.04% / 40.18% / ($99,700)

Automotive Engineers / 71.43% / 38.09% / ($99,510)

Fuel Cell Engineers / 57.14% / 45.47% / ($99,510)

Manufacturing Engineers / 76.00% / 34.61% / ($99,380)

Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists / 50.00% / 45.00% / ($99,380)

Video Game Designers / 55.00% / 40.00% / ($98,540)

Radiation Therapists / 37.54% / 42.76% / ($98,300)

Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists / 39.13% / 73.92% / ($96,370)

Transportation Engineers / 86.36% / 40.91% / ($95,890)

Water/Wastewater Engineers / 69.57% / 50.00% / ($95,890)

Transportation Planners / 55.00% / 35.00% / ($95,890)

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers / 40.62% / 53.13% / ($92,580)

Intelligence Analysts / 73.92% / 30.43% / ($91,100)

Molecular and Cellular Biologists / 34.62% / 38.46% / ($91,100)

Geographers / 45.00% / 45.00% / ($90,880)

Hydrologists / 43.48% / 45.46% / ($88,770)

Agricultural Engineers / 75.00% / 35.00% / ($88,750)

Acute Care Nurses / 66.66% / 52.38% / ($86,070)

Registered Nurses / 55.92% / 37.83% / ($86,070)

Critical Care Nurses / 50.00% / 60.71% / ($86,070)

Microbiologists / 72.73% / 54.55% / ($85,470)

Web Developers / 50.00% / 33.33% / ($84,960)

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers / 44.97% / 30.56% / ($84,570)

Financial Examiners / 95.66% / 47.83% / ($84,300)

Operations Research Analysts / 42.85% / 40.00% / ($83,640)

Food Scientists and Technologists / 81.82% / 54.55% / ($82,090)

Chemical Plant and System Operators / 36.27% / 34.85% / ($80,030)

Online Merchants / 41.29% / 37.80% / ($79,590)

Credit Analysts / 95.00% / 30.00% / ($79,420)

Logistics Engineers / 73.91% / 39.14% / ($79,400)

Landscape Architects / 95.00% / 36.84% / ($79,320)

Insurance Underwriters / 73.33% / 40.00% / ($77,860)

Commercial and Industrial Designers / 67.92% / 32.87% / ($76,250)

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists / 31.50% / 56.99% / ($76,210)

Environmental Compliance Inspectors / 75.00% / 40.00% / ($75,670)

Coroners / 50.00% / 40.00% / ($75,670)

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators / 39.34% / 49.63% / ($75,670)

Writers and Authors / 46.95% / 31.03% / ($73,690)

Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling / 52.12% / 30.60% / ($73,460)

Dietitians and Nutritionists / 63.33% / 30.00% / ($69,680)

Electrical and Electronics Drafters / 40.08% / 46.57% / ($69,260)

Conservation Scientists / 78.27% / 39.14% / ($68,750)

Park Naturalists / 49.75% / 56.05% / ($68,750)

Surveyors / 47.37% / 30.00% / ($68,540)

Adapted Physical Education Specialists / 71.43% / 76.18% / ($67,190)

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School / 57.35% / 62.00% / ($66,620)

Special Education Teachers, Middle School / 82.51% / 53.04% / ($66,600)

Film and Video Editors / 65.10% / 32.92% / ($66,600)

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products / 33.89% / 36.34% / ($65,630)

Special Education Teachers, Preschool / 63.43% / 60.73% / ($65,270)

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education / 84.73% / 71.18% / ($65,220)

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School / 44.42% / 31.47% / ($65,130)

Forensic Science Technicians / 32.36% / 32.02% / ($64,940)

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education / 88.24% / 62.40% / ($64,290)

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School / 80.62% / 56.90% / ($63,860)

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education / 78.17% / 63.08% / ($63,680)

Music Therapists / 84.62% / 65.38% / ($63,650)

Real Estate Brokers / 45.33% / 36.44% / ($63,060)

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education / 86.20% / 75.61% / ($62,690)

Interior Designers / 84.00% / 40.00% / ($62,510)

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists / 88.03% / 43.28% / ($61,800)

Paralegals and Legal Assistants / 46.50% / 34.43% / ($60,970)

Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors / 52.22% / 39.65% / ($60,560)

Fish and Game Wardens / 79.35% / 45.27% / ($60,380)

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators / 35.12% / 42.16% / ($59,300)

Computer User Support Specialists / 47.32% / 32.44% / ($59,240)

Insurance Sales Agents / 46.90% / 72.73% / ($59,080)

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents / 33.61% / 38.40% / ($58,530)

Recreational Therapists / 97.30% / 55.26% / ($57,120)

Interpreters and Translators / 54.72% / 35.52% / ($57,090)

Chemical Technicians / 43.74% / 47.59% / ($56,750)

Social Science Research Assistants / 54.32% / 46.58% / ($56,400)

Exercise Physiologists / 59.09% / 50.00% / ($54,860)

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians / 72.05% / 33.89% / ($54,000)

Child, Family, and School Social Workers / 68.66% / 36.21% / ($53,940)

Desktop Publishers / 38.70% / 45.93% / ($51,290)

Airfield Operations Specialists / 50.86% / 50.32% / ($51,140)

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health / 68.18% / 68.18% / ($50,660)

Statistical Assistants / 61.28% / 36.94% / ($50,510)

Food Science Technicians / 32.33% / 67.10% / ($49,090)

Proofreaders and Copy Markers / 47.30% / 47.90% / ($48,790)

Cargo and Freight Agents / 30.75% / 74.53% / ($48,330)

Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping / 33.81% / 30.88% / ($47,710)

Loan Interviewers and Clerks / 38.26% / 36.81% / ($47,380)

Coaches and Scouts / 48.89% / 33.27% / ($45,910)

Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys / 35.18% / 40.27% / ($44,890)

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants / 37.46% / 85.80% / ($44,490)

Rehabilitation Counselors / 55.86% / 55.52% / ($44,040)

Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary / 57.32% / 66.98% / ($43,750)

Precision Agriculture Technicians / 34.78% / 43.48% / ($43,180)

Social and Human Service Assistants / 40.46% / 60.58% / ($41,410)

Tutors / 40.91% / 72.73% / ($39,580)

Residential Advisors / 31.29% / 65.91% / ($37,950)

Substitute Teachers, Short-Term / 40.15% / 66.44% / ($37,380)

Recreation Workers / 61.96% / 40.14% / ($34,410)

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Job Listings for: Commercial and Industrial Designers.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career

Prepare for the "Commercial and Industrial Designers" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Description: Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

U.S. Total Employment (2023): 31,500	U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.): 33,300
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.): 1,800 (5.6%)	Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.): 3,100

Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Commercial and Industrial Designers":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
Importance: 99 (%)	Description: Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.
Importance: 96 (%)	Description: Research production specifications, costs, production materials, and manufacturing methods and provide cost estimates and itemized production requirements.
Importance: 94 (%)	Description: Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
Importance: 94 (%)	Description: Investigate product characteristics such as the product's safety and handling qualities, its market appeal, how efficiently it can be produced, and ways of distributing, using, and maintaining it.
Importance: 91 (%)	Description: Direct and coordinate the fabrication of models or samples and the drafting of working drawings and specification sheets from sketches.
Importance: 90 (%)	Description: Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval and discuss need for modification.
Importance: 89 (%)	Description: Develop manufacturing procedures and monitor the manufacture of their designs in a factory to improve operations and product quality.
Importance: 82 (%)	Description: Read publications, attend showings, and study competing products and design styles and motifs to obtain perspective and generate design concepts.
Importance: 76 (%)	Description: Fabricate models or samples in paper, wood, glass, fabric, plastic, metal, or other materials, using hand or power tools.
Importance: 71 (%)	Description: Participate in new product planning or market research, including studying the potential need for new products.

Supplemental Duties

Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Supervise assistants' work throughout the design process.
Importance: 61 (%)	Description: Design graphic material for use as ornamentation, illustration, or advertising on manufactured materials and packaging or containers.
Importance: 61 (%)	Description: Coordinate the look and function of product lines.
Importance: 47 (%)	Description: Advise corporations on issues involving corporate image projects or problems.
Importance: 26 (%)	Description: Develop industrial standards and regulatory guidelines.

Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 91 (%)	Description: Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
Importance: 88 (%)	Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 88 (%)	Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 87 (%)	Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 84 (%)	Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 79 (%)	Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 78 (%)	Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 77 (%)	Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 77 (%)	Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 75 (%)	Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 75 (%)	Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 74 (%)	Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 74 (%)	Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 73 (%)	Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 72 (%)	Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 69 (%)	Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Build models, patterns, or templates.
Collaborate with others to develop or refine designs.
Conduct market research.
Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.
Coordinate construction or installation activities.
Coordinate design activities.
Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.
Develop promotional strategies or plans.
Develop safety standards, policies, or procedures.
Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
Establish standards for products, processes, or procedures.
Estimate costs for projects or productions.
Evaluate characteristics of products.
Evaluate potential of products, technologies, or resources.
Evaluate quality of materials or products.
Monitor current trends.
Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.
Present work to clients for approval.

Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 92 (%)	Description: Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Importance: 92 (%)	Description: Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Importance: 79 (%)	Description: Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Importance: 79 (%)	Description: Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Importance: 76 (%)	Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Importance: 73 (%)	Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Importance: 70 (%)	Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 61 (%)	Description: Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Importance: 59 (%)	Description: Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Importance: 59 (%)	Description: Administrative: Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance) These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 66 (%)	Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 62 (%)	Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 58 (%)	Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance) These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 62 (%)	Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 54 (%)	Description: Operations Analysis: Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Importance: 54 (%)	Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Importance: 54 (%)	Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Technology Design: Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.

Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?

Activity: Assemble products or work aids.

Activity: Collect data about consumer needs or opinions.

Activity: Communicate with others about specifications or project details.

Activity: Create artistic designs or performances.

Activity: Create visual designs or displays.

Activity: Develop business or marketing plans.

Activity: Develop operational or technical procedures or standards.

Activity: Develop safety standards, policies, or procedures.

Activity: Direct construction or extraction activities.

Activity: Direct scientific or technical activities.

Activity: Estimate project development or operational costs.

Activity: Evaluate production inputs or outputs.

Activity: Evaluate the characteristics, usefulness, or performance of products or technologies.

Activity: Explain technical details of products or services.

Activity: Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise.

Activity: Monitor external affairs, trends, or events.

Activity: Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance.

Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?

High-Priority Tech Skills

Computer aided design CAD software:

Dassault Systemes SolidWorks

Graphical user interface development software:

Figma

Graphics or photo imaging software:

Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop

Office suite software:

Microsoft Office software

Presentation software:

Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software:

Microsoft Excel

Emerging Tech Skills

Analytical or scientific software:

The MathWorks MATLAB

Computer aided design CAD software:

Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk Revit

Data base user interface and query software:

Microsoft Access

Desktop publishing software:

Adobe InDesign

Development environment software:

Apache Maven
C

Document management software:

Adobe Acrobat

Enterprise resource planning ERP software:

SAP software

Geographic information system:

ESRI ArcGIS software

Graphics or photo imaging software:

Trimble SketchUp Pro

Object or component oriented development software:

C#
C++
jQuery
Python

Operating system software:

Apple iOS

Project management software:

Microsoft Project

Video creation and editing software:

Adobe After Effects

Web platform development software:

Cascading style sheets CSS
Hypertext markup language HTML
JavaScript

Word processing software:

Microsoft Word

General Software Tools

Analytical or scientific software:

Finite element analysis software
Minitab

Cloud-based data access and sharing software:

Software as a service SaaS

Computer aided design CAD software (scroll table below):

Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt

Autodesk AliasStudio

Autodesk Maya

Dassault Systemes CATIA

McNeel Rhinoceros 3D

PTC Creo Parametric

Siemens UGS NX

Computer aided manufacturing CAM software:

1CadCam Unigraphics
Geometric CAMWorks
Siemens NX

Desktop communications software:

Eko

Desktop publishing software:

Microsoft Publisher
QuarkXPress

Development environment software:

National Instruments LabVIEW
Verilog

Electronic mail software:

Email software
IBM Notes

Financial analysis software:

Delphi Technology

Graphics or photo imaging software:

Adobe FreeHand MX
Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
Corel Painter
Xara Designer Pro

Internet browser software:

Web browser software

Process mapping and design software:

InVision software

Video creation and editing software:

Autodesk 3ds Max
Chaos Group V-Ray
Kapwing
Maxon Cinema 4D

Preparation Required

Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.

Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%)	Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 67.9 (%)	Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 15.2 (%)	Level of Education: Some College Courses
Frequency of Attainment: 12.3 (%)	Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Frequency of Attainment: 4.3 (%)	Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Frequency of Attainment: 0.3 (%)	Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 42.3 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 15.5 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 11.2 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month
Frequency of Attainment: 11.2 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Frequency of Attainment: 6.7 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 4.3 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years
Frequency of Attainment: 3.4 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 2.8 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Frequency of Attainment: 2.6 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years

Local Salary Information

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Certifications

Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them?

AutoCAD Certified Professional
Data Center Design Consultant

Professional Associations

Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities?

Design Management Institute (DMI)
Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)
International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI)
International Housewares Association (IHA)
Retail Design Institute (RDI)
Retail Packaging Association (RPA)

Job Listings

Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Ceramic Mold Designer

Designer

Engineer

Fire Sprinkler Designer

New Product Development Engineer

Ornamental Metalwork Designer

Package Designer

Packaging Designer

Pottery Decoration Designer

Product Design Engineer

Product Designer

Product Developer

Product Development Engineer

Product Development Specialist

Product Expert

Product Manager

Product Sustaining Engineer

Robot Designer

Robotic Toy Inventor

Roller Coaster Designer

Rug Designer

Safety Clothing Developer

Safety Equipment Developer

Stained Glass Window Designer

Toy Maker

UI Product Designer (User Interface Product Designer)

UX Product Designer (User Experience Product Designer)

Weapons Designer

Weapons Engineer

Related Careers to Consider

Related Careers to Consider This lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to what "Commercial and Industrial Designers" do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit. How do these related occupations align with your interests, skills, and goals?
1 - Mechanical Drafters
2 - Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
3 - Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
4 - Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
5 - Fashion Designers
6 - Industrial Engineers
7 - Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
8 - Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
9 - Manufacturing Engineers
10 - Materials Engineers
11 - Mechanical Engineers
12 - Craft Artists
13 - Model Makers, Wood
14 - Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
15 - Patternmakers, Wood
16 - Electrical and Electronics Drafters
17 - Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
18 - Materials Scientists
19 - Interior Designers
20 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)

This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Commercial and Industrial Designers". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.

Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.

Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.

Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.

Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.

Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.

Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Commercial and Industrial Designers". Use these links to find a job.

Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Commercial and Industrial Designers". Use these links to find a job.

Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.

Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Commercial and Industrial Designers

Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...

LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.

Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Commercial and Industrial Designers" occupation.