Lights, camera, and all action — The LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network doesn’t just provide community college students with valuable career skills. These positions are helping students build up their career confidence and set the stage to shine in the Digital Media industry.
Take Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC), where faculty sends skilled Digital Media program grads and apprentices into valuable job positions thanks to their partnership with a local business, The Media Lab. The fully functioning production studio in Temecula doubles as a learning space, providing Media Lab students with developmental disabilities the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working in the television and film industry. The facility offers a space for these students to learn about studio equipment, lighting design, script writing, collaboration, and more.
“When we have job openings, we directly contact the professor overseeing the Digital Media Department and they pass along our information to students who might be interested,” explains Cyrila Richardson, the Program Director for the Media Lab.
While prioritizing collaboration and teamwork, The Media Lab employees and apprentices help their students spearhead projects and even develop demo reels and resumes to apply for jobs in the industry. The position is a unique opportunity to teach and work in a creatively fulfilling environment, all while constantly learning new communication and industry skills in the field.
With most of Richardson’s staff hailing from MSJC, the proud program director is confident in the quality of the professionals being sent her way.
“Community colleges are really unique because they provide a lot of hands-on training, which isn’t always the case at the university level,” Richardson continues.
“All of our community college recruits are extremely knowledgeable, effective communicators, and know how to get the job done.”
For grads such as Yesenia Cardenas, this sentiment couldn’t be more accurate. The proud MSJC alum completed the two-year certificate program in Digital Media at Mt. San Jacinto College before joining The Media Lab team as a Media Specialist.
The hands-on MSJC program prepared the determined Digital Media grad with vital industry knowledge about topics such as broadcast television and film trends, how to operate industry-grade cameras and editing software, and experience in creating her own original content.
“Every day at The Media Lab, I am able to hone in on my skills by helping the students with projects we create each session,” Cardenas explains.
The Media Specialist harnesses her skills by leading production groups, teaching media-based classes, and forming clubs within The Media Lab community.
“Media is such a dynamic field with endless opportunities for growth and innovation,” continues the proud MSJC alum. “I am lucky to be a part of The Media Lab doing what I love each and every day!”
“The Media Lab and the dozens of highly talented staff members I have had the pleasure to call coworkers have served as a breeding ground for creative ideas through the use of collaboration,” adds Aaron Russell, an employee at the Media Lab and former MSJC student.
According to Alan Marsala, Associate Professor and Chair of the Creative Media Department, which includes the Digital Media program at MSJC, that collaboration is what makes the career opportunities at The Media Lab so exceptional. The supportive environment at The Media Lab is symbiotic for both employees and students, offering a safe space to make mistakes, collaborate, and create.
“For our Digital Media students graduating from this program, The Media Lab gives them the opportunity to practice what they know through the art of teaching,” Marsala says. “It’s also a truly wonderful opportunity for students to enrich the lives of other creatives.
“Not only are our graduates improving their own skills and techniques, but they are doing so while making a difference in others’ lives.”
By combining their dynamic technical skills with communication and teamwork, apprentices are writing the script for their career success in the Digital Media industry.
“I highly encourage any creatives in the area that may be apprehensive about going to college to try out an Inland Empire community college. It may be the best decision you ever make,” Russell declares.
“I know it was for me.”
Learn more about The Media Lab and their local community college partnerships by checking out their new READY Career Education Campaign video [link].
Plus, be sure to check out our new home page for our READY website at www.readysetcareer.org, and a new program finder page at www.readysetcareer.org/program-finder. Visit today and connect your industry to custom career training and a powerful pipeline of professionals!
Attention readers: Our Newsletter will be on hiatus during the month of July and will return with more READY Career Education stories in August. Have a great summer!
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