Rod Berg: Visual Arts Career Coach

Meet Rod

Alongside his visual arts coaching services, Rod has been the Associate Director of Career Services at the world-renowned Parsons The New School for Design in New York City since 2003. At Parsons, Rod plays a pivotal role in one of the country’s top academic Career Services Offices within art schools and colleges internationally. He is also the proud recipient of the 2007 New School University ‘Service Excellence’ Award.

At Parsons, Rod directly assists countless students and graduates launch highly successful careers in the visual arts industry, serving as the vital link between education and the professional industry. He works with a vast array of industry leaders in advertising, branding, fashion, media, entertainment, publishing and nonprofit organizations, and has established many long-standing professional relationships.

Rod was born in Los Angeles and raised in London. His passion for the arts developed at an early age, being a neighbor to the famed animator Bill Melendez. He was privileged and fascinated to see the likes of Charlie Brown and Snoopy come to life in Bill’s studio. The die was cast for a career in the arts thanks to ‘A Boy Named Charlie Brown.’

Upon graduating with a degree in communication design, Rod began his career as a graphic designer. An early career highlight was working with British rock icons ‘Queen.’ As a freelance graphic designer he worked for clients including Walt Disney and Hanna-Barbera in both London and Paris. He settled in New York City in 1996, finding success as a creative recruiter, a freelance writer and then in his role at Parsons and as an independent visual arts career coach.