Meet Rod

Rod is the former Associate Director of Career Services at the world-renowned Parsons The New School for Design in New York City, a position he held for nine years. At Parsons, Rod played a pivotal role in creating one of the country’s top academic Career Services Offices within art schools and colleges all over the world. He is also the proud recipient of the 2007 New School University ‘Service Excellence’ Award.

At Parsons, Rod directly assisted 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 continues to work with a vast array of industry leaders in advertising, branding, fashion, media, entertainment, publishing and nonprofit organizations, and has established numerous 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.’ He worked for clients including Walt Disney and Hanna-Barbera in both London and Paris as a freelance graphic designer. Rod settled in New York City in 1996, finding success as a creative recruiter leading to his role at Parsons and as an independent visual arts career coach.