Program Analysis
While Chicago is a major hub for advertising and digital media, DePaul's Graphic Communications program leans heavily into the technical and production side of the industry—think print operations and prepress technology, not high-concept digital campaigns at major ad agencies. This focus prepares you well for stable jobs in the commercial printing and publishing world, but these roles often have lower salary ceilings than strategic design or animation careers. You'll be competing in a crowded local market with graduates from more art-and-design-focused schools like SAIC for a limited number of high-paying creative agency positions. To boost your prospects, aggressively pursue internships in digital marketing or UX/UI design; this will prove you have the creative and strategic skills that command higher salaries, beyond just technical production expertise.