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Transferable Skills
  • MEDIA STUDIES
Occupational Possibilities
Related Occupations
Skills Needed
Sample Jobs
Related Activities
Additional Resources
Professional Associations
USM´s Media Studies Dept.

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What Can I Do With A Major In...

OCCUPATIONAL POSSIBILITIES


GRAPHIC/COMMERCIAL ARTIST

Creates or copies drawings or other artwork for use in business or industry. Uses a variety of print, electronic, and film media to create art that meets a client's needs. Uses computer software to design new images or to modify existing ones. May be responsible for the overall layout and design of magazines, newspapers, and other publications; or create graphics for television and computer-generated media. May create packaging, promotional displays, and marketing brochures for new products. May create visual design of annual reports and other corporate literature, or logos for products or businesses.

Educational Requirements

A bachelor's degree or higher, plus work experience. In the graphic arts field, demonstrated ability and appropriate training or other qualifications are needed for success. Assembling a successful portfolio requires skills generally developed in a post secondary art school-- usually in a 4-year program.

Avg. Maine Salary: $12.76 per/hour
Avg. # Maine Employment810
Annual Openings: 32
Projected Growth: 21%

COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN

Performs duties involved in producing motion picture film for educational institutions. Selects filming locations, sets up lights, selects picture and sound to correspond with the script. Operates projectors and video recorders.

Educational Requirements

Educational requirements may include 1-2 years post secondary training.

Avg. Maine Salary: $16.37 per/hour
Avg. # Maine Employment1833
Annual Openings: 63
Projected Growth: 14%

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RELATED OCCUPATIONS

Artist Audiovisual or Broadcast
Camera Operator Designer
Film Editor Graphic Designer or Illustrator
Hand Painting, Creating and Decorating Worker Director/Producer
Professional WriterTV Announcer


SKILLS

Accuracy Poetry Writing
Operation Of Communications Equipment Operation Of Audio-Visual Equipment
Transmitting Information Electronically Compiling And Cataloging Written Information
Preparation Of Electronic Data Files Operation Of Computers To Lay Out Designs And Colors
Work As A Member Of A Team Producing Designs Of Ideas Or Letters
Creative Sketching Original Designs For Materials And Products
News Writing Feature Writing
Journalism Writing For Non-Print Media

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SAMPLE JOBS

(taken from past issues of our Career Services Husky Job Board)

Operating Technician
Studio camera, videotape, audio and master control.
Qualifications: Knowledge of equipment, must be willing to work evenings and weekend hours.

Anchor-
Deliver stories from the set and break stories from the field.
Qualifications: At least two years of experience in news gathering, news writing, videotape editing and on-air delivery.

Morning Show Producer
Produce/operate board for radio morning news program; produce award-winning show.
Qualifications: Minimum two years radio experience required, preferably in the News/Talk formats.

Mid-Day On-Air Personality
Five hour mid-day air shift commercial production, promotional appearances and client remote broadcasts.
Qualifications: Three years full-time on-air experience and digital production experience required.

Assignment Editor -
Manage daily story assignments, develop and maintain sources, coordinate photographer and reporter assignments and monitor scanners for breaking news.
Qualifications: BA/BS and television news experience preferred; knowledge of current events and familiar with news.

Photojournalist/Editor -
Shoot and edit news stories; set up and run live microwave remotes; nights and weekends position; overtime is required.
Qualifications: At least two years relevant experience, valid driver's license, ability to work well with others and deal with deadline pressure. Top

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Work part-time or volunteer with the University newpaper, radio or television station.

Participate in a local drama club.

Join a professional media organization.

Help prepare news bulletins for local news station.

Work on your own and/or a school club webpage.

Design marketing brochures for your church or local civic group.

volunteer to help write event releases at an K-12 school.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

(These resources are located in our Career Resource Centers)

Maine Dept. of Labour and Occupational Outlook Handbook

Choices

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PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

(For more information see the National Trade and Professional Association
of the United States located in our Career Resource Centers)
  • Graphic Artists Guild National
    11 West 20th Street
    NY NY 10011
    212-463-7730

  • The Society of Illustrators
  • National Scholarship Trust Fund of the Graphic Arts
  • National Association of Television and Electronic Services
  • Agricultural Communicators in Education
  • American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association
  • American Medical Writers Association
  • American Society of Journalists and Authors
  • Associated Business Writers of America
  • Associated Writing Programs
  • Association for Women in Sports Media
  • Association of Food Journalists
  • Association of Literary Scholars and Critics
  • Association of Professional Communication Consultants
  • Bowling Writers Association of America
  • Children's Literature Association
  • Construction Writers Association
  • Copywriter's Council of America
  • Council of Literary Magazines and Presses
  • Council of Writers Organizations
  • Dance Critics Association
  • Dog Writers' Association of America
  • Editorial Freelancers Association
  • Football Writers Association of America
  • Freelance Editorial Association
  • Garden Writers Association of America
  • International Black Writers Conference
  • International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association
  • International Motor Press Association
  • International Philatelic Press Club
  • International Travel Writers and Editors Association
  • International Women's Writing Guild
  • Mystery Writers of America
  • National Association of Hispanic Journalists
  • National Association of Science Writers
  • National Conference of Editorial Writers
  • National Council of Writing Program Administrators
  • National League of American Pen Women
  • National Sportscasters and Sportwriters Association
  • National Turf Writers Association National Writers Association
  • National Writers Union
  • National Writing Centers Association
  • North American Ski Journalists Association
  • Outdoor Writers Association
  • Professional Association of Resume Writers
  • Professional Basketball Writers Association
  • Professional Football Writers of America
  • Professional Hockey Writers' Association
  • Religion Newswriters Association of U.S. and Canada
  • Romance Writers of America
  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
  • Scribes
  • Society for Technical Communication
  • Society for Technological Advancement of Reporting
  • Society of American Business Editors an Writers
  • Society of American Travel Writers
  • Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
  • Travel Journalists Guild
  • United States Basketball Writers Association
  • United States Harness Writers' Association
  • Writers Guild of America, East
  • Writers Guild of America, West
  • Alliance for Community Media
  • Alliance of Black Entertainment Technicians
  • Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers
  • American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association
  • American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada
  • American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
  • American Loudspeaker Manufacturers Association
  • American Radio Relay League
  • American Society of TV Cameramen
  • American Sportscasters Association
  • American Women in Radio and Television
  • Antenna Measurement Techniques Association
  • Association for Educational Communications and Technology
  • Association for Interactive Media
  • Association for Maximum Service Television
  • Association of America's Public Television Stations
  • Association of Catholic TV and Radio Syndicators
  • Association of College and University Telecommunications Administrators
  • Association of Federal Communication Consulting Engineers
  • Association of Independent Commercial Producers
  • Association of Local Television Stations
  • Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International
  • Broadcast Cable Credit Association
  • Broadcast Cable Financial Management Association
  • Broadcast Designers' Association
  • Broadcast Education Association
  • Cable Telecommunications Association
  • Cable Television Advertising Bureau
  • Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors
  • Clear Channel Broadcasting Service
  • Closed Circuit Television Manufacturers Association
  • Concert Music Broadcasters Association
  • Country Radio Broadcasters
  • CTAM
  • Directors Guild of America
  • Electronic Industries Association
  • Electronic Media Rating Council
  • Industrial Telecommunications Association
  • Interactive Services Association
  • Intercollegiate Broadcasting System
  • International Documentary Association
  • International Radio and Television Society Foundation
  • International Teleproduction Society
  • Land Mobile Communications Council
  • Motion Picture and Television Credit Association
  • Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association
  • National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
  • National Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters
  • National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians
  • National Association of Broadcasters
  • National Association of College Broadcasters
  • National Association of Farm Broadcasters
  • National Association of Media Brokers
  • National Association of Minority Media Executives
  • National Association of Radio and Telecommunications Engineers
  • National Association of Radio Reading Services
  • National Association of State Cable Agencies
  • National Association of State Radio Networks
  • National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisers
  • National Association of Television Program Executives
  • National Broadcast Association for Community Affairs
  • National Cable Television Association
  • National Federation of Community Broadcasters
  • National Religious Broadcasters
  • National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association
  • National Translator Association
  • Organization of News Ombudsmen
  • Personal Communications Industry Association
  • PROMAX International
  • Public Radio News Directors
  • Public Radio Program Directors Association
  • Public Telecommunications Financial Management Association
  • Radio Advertising Bureau
  • Radio and Television Correspondents Association
  • Radio and Television Research Council
  • Radio-Television News Directors Association
  • Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association
  • Screen Actors Guild
  • Society for Cinema Studies
  • Society for Broadcast Engineers
  • Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers
  • Society of Motion Picture and Television Art Directors
  • Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
  • Station Representatives Association
  • Telecommunications Association
  • Television Bureau of Advertising
  • Television Critics Association
  • Television Operators Caucus
  • UNDA-USA, National Catholic Association for Communicators
  • United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America
  • Video Software Dealers Association
  • Women in Cable and Telecommunications
  • Young Black Programming Coalition

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The information on this page was taken from the following sources: CareerWare 98; Maine Dept.of Labor, 94; Occupational Outlook Handbook, 98; National Trade and Professional Associations Of the United States, 97; College Majors and Careers

Website Last Updated August 8, 1999

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