YOU’VE PROBABLY BEEN USING most of the components of new media throughout high school (if not earlier). Blogging, texting, posting on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, listening to podcasts and living in “virtual worlds” are all interactive communication forms that make up new media. (Traditional media, on the other hand, includes more “static,” one-way forms of communication, such as print newspapers and magazines.)
Just as old-school journalists may have gone to college for journalism, today’s creative writers, artists and filmmakers can pursue a degree that takes a more collaborative (and multimedia approach) to reporting, interacting and entertaining. Here are 10 things you can do with a degree in new media:
1. COLOR EXPERT
Give advice and direction on color to publishers, graphic designers, Web developers and online retailers.
2. SOUND ENGINEER
Enhance, distort and mix sounds for films, TV, theatre, music or even video games. (Perk #412: Free concerts!)
3. WEB DEVELOPER/PROGRAMMER
Coordinate and create content, graphics, security and site function for networks and websites.
4. PHOTOJOURNALIST
Tell stories (and capture moments in history) with pictures. You might even get paid to travel the world!
5. ONLINE CONTENT PRODUCER
Oversee the production of Web content for companies, artists, fashion designers or nonprofits.
6. COMPUTER ARTIST
Use a mouse (or touchscreen) instead of a paintbrush to create visual art.
7. ANIMATOR
Get those cartoons moving for big names like Disney and Pixar.
8. MUSIC DIRECTOR
Lay down that studio track or help create a movie soundtrack!
9. DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER
Capture real-life stories on video to preserve moments in time.
10. MEDIA BUYER
Negotiate the best rate and placement for various types of media advertisements.
If you can find the time to juggle an internship (probably not freshman year—you’ve got enough going on!), it might give you a leg up when you graduate. Real-life experience combined with up-to-date skills will increase your chances of getting a good-paying job right out of school. Some internships even pay, which makes for real-life spending money!
Some on-campus internships could include: the college newspaper (which will have an online or digital version), the alumni magazine, the school newsletter, the university radio station, campus technology services or the school’s PR/marketing department.
For now, just enjoy the creative process and keep track of your projects in case you decide to include any in your portfolio someday. Sure, your knowledge base will grow and your skills will improve over the next four years, but just because you’re in high school doesn’t mean you can’t create a masterpiece or start building a website!
