When deciding on a digital video and media program to dedicate the next few years of your life to, it should be a given that it is important to have a good understanding of what it is, exactly, that you are getting into. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions.
Digital Video & Media is an exciting focus of study that can lead to a career full of opportunity and growth. The digital video and media explosion is found in almost everything we interact with daily from information and entertainment on our smartphones, to how we even take in literature, music, and journalism. With so much of our lives wrapped up in this technology and so much content needed for television networks, film, commercials, online content (including websites), this could be an ideal course of study for you. Here are some questions to ask if you are looking into a Digital Video and Media Program.
Question #1: What Does a Digital Video and Media Program Cover?
Before leaping into a Digital Video & Media program, it is important to have a solid overview of exactly what is being offered in the curriculum and if it falls into what you are hoping to learn. There could be other names elsewhere that similar programs could fall under. Some examples might be ‘Digital Film & Video Production’ or ‘Digital Video Production’ or even, simply, ‘Video Production’. While there may be a lot of overlap, be sure to check everything offered in the courses to make sure you are getting everything that you are looking for.
Question #2: Is the Digital Video and Media Program Accredited?
Accreditation means that the program adheres to certain standards put forth by a peer review board made up of others in education. Employers might not accept an applicant with a diploma from an unaccredited program.
Question #3: Who are Some Current Innovators in the Field?
Your instructors should have a strong sense of what is currently going on in the world with digital video and media. The industry grows on a daily basis, so your instructors should be on top of changes. Make sure that one of the focuses of study is current innovations and the latest news. This way, you are up-to-date when you start looking for a job.
Question #4: What is the History of the Field?
There are many variations of the old adage that states something along the lines of “to know where you are going, first you must know where you’ve been.” In order to get full-scope knowledge of Digital Video & Media, it is important to know what came before, where we are now with it and how things developed. It is quite possible that the next innovations in the field could come from getting inspiration from past innovations. It also helps us to not repeat mistakes of predecessors. Be sure that part of the focus of the program is the field’s history, not what is happening now and what is being worked on for the future.
Question #5: Are there Internships and Externships Available?
Work experience is as important as your degree when you look for positions in Digital Video & Media. Employers will want you to start right into your new job with only a small amount of training. Find out what internship and externship opportunities are available.
Internships typically last a minimum of eight weeks and offer school credit as well as some other kind of benefits. Some internships are paid, as well. Internships connect your learning and puts it to use in real world.
Externships can be as short as a day, are unpaid, and focus on primarily shadowing someone that is doing the kind of work that you are studying. Both can teach you quite a bit more than just classroom study. They can also make the difference between being ready for the workforce upon graduation and not being ready.
Question #6: Is There Job Assistance After Graduation?
When you graduate, having support from your institution about finding a job in your field is critical. You could make a solid case that assistance finding a job post-graduation is the most important part of any program. The last thing you want is to have student debt and take a job outside your program. Make sure that there is something in place to help upon graduation so that you can avoid this pitfall.
Question #7: How Much Interaction Will I Have With Instructors?
Interacting with your instructors is a key part of success in your Digital Video & Media studies. Find out who is your campus support team. Instructors can help when you get stuck, have questions or need to bounce ideas. Part of the job of your professors and program chair is to offer support, so make sure you know what is available. It might be during class hours, after class, possibly during separate office hours. Be sure that the availability of your instructor to offer individual interaction regarding your studies is understandable and realistic.
Question #8: How Long is the Program?
One of the most important questions you should ask about a Digital Video & Media Program is “How long will it take graduate?” We are talking about the next few years of your life, so it is important to plan. How will you get your degree or certification and put your new skills to use? An associates degree is two years of study, and four years for a bachelor’s. The time to complete this program could be a bit different, so be sure to find out!
Did the answers to the digital video and media program questions interest you? IPR’s digital video and media production associate and bachelor’s degree programs can lead to a variety of entry points in the video and film production industry. We help you build a strong visual portfolio for your career search through time in our studios.
Using the latest industry-standard tools, our digital video production school immerses you in your video and film production artistry, both in theory and application, emphasizing corporate and commercial production, as well as short and feature narrative filmmaking. We equip you with a toolbox that includes all aspects of film and video production skill.
Contact us today to learn more about the digital video and media production associate and bachelor’s degree. Starting a rewarding career as an associate producer is closer than you may think!