In this highly competitive job market, every advantage matters and a diploma alone does not cut it.

Luckily for students, the Media Center offers an easy way to distinguish oneself.

However, most students do not know about it.

On alternate Wednesdays throughout the semester, the Resource Center for Advanced Digital Exploration (RCADE) offers free tutorials for video and photo editing platforms on Final Cut Pro-7 and Adobe Photo Shop CS4, respectively.

However, many students who neglect their email accounts probably have no idea that such an opportunity exists to strengthen their technical skills in a highly competitive job market.

Jean-Henry Mathurin, media coordinator for the Media Center, explained in an interview how the workshops came about during the first days of Powerpoint presentations.

“[The workshops are] basically giving students and staff a chance to play, … to come and learn some new skills in the digital media,” said Mathurin.

As the technology industry quickly became more advanced, more detail-oriented programs and courses were created to meet student needs. The University, however, continued to offer these introductory workshops to the campus community.

Yet, somewhere along the way, awareness of the opportunity feigned.

In a survey of 25 students and staff members, only five knew the workshops were offered. Two did not even know where the Media Center is located (Xavier Hall in the Fairfield Prep building).

The problem is twofold: one part student apathy and one part being uninformed.

Except for a mass email sent at the beginning of each semester and a banner that appears on Stagweb, the workshops are not vigorously marketed to students.

Bob Cammisa, the main instructor for these workshops, noted that people are not as interested as they should be in these programs.

“With anything in the media world, you want to know these programs if you want to pursue anything,” said Cammisa.

However, he did not just limit it to new media majors.

According to Camisa, students of all majors stand to
benefit from this added skill: “Maybe a company will take you on because they know that in addition … you can create the company logo.”

Senior film major Dan Dunn, heavily involved with the Media Center, reinforced Cammisa’s view.

“I don’t think you ever know what a job may entail,” said Dunn. “You may need to use Photoshop for a project in marketing or any kind of business.”

An article by the Huffington Post earlier this month reported that only 54 percent of
Americans ages 18 to 24 currently have jobs, the lowest employment rate since 1948, when the government began keeping track of this information. These RCADE workshops offer what could be that crucial extra skill set in a quick, easy and engaging format.

Cammisa stressed the introductory nature of these workshops and how no experience is required in order to participate. “An intro course isn’t going to teach you everything. It’s going to get your feet wet,” said Cammisa.

Mathurin explained the versatile nature of the program. “What we’re teaching for is personal edification,” he said. “If it can be used for professional use, that’s fine.”

A typical class begins with an introduction of the program, a description of its capabilities and an overview of what will be covered during the session. Participants are then slowly brought step by step through the program and given ample time to try out newly learned skills and ask questions about the material.

At the end, recommendations are given on how participants can further their learning, be it through another workshop or a different resource available to them.

As far as attendance goes, Cammisa expressed that those who are serious about learning these skills eventually find their way to the workshops. Currently, workshops are attended by an average of 2-3 students per class. Those who attend get to use top of the line dual-screen Mac computer work stations as well as editing software that can cost upwards of $600.

For juniors and seniors, the opportunity to participate in these workshops is invaluable. “If you know how to use it [the
programs], you have more value to a prospective employee” said Dunn.

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