Hipster Learning
Cindy Royal, Ph.D.
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Texas State University
cindyroyal.com
Find this presentation at slideshare.net/cindyroyal
Accompanying video at youtube.com/watch?v=-DwXWXyQot8
Hipster Learning• Driven by technological advances, the
media environment continues to experience rapid change
• Students have to learn current concepts, but also must be prepared to grasp new ideas and apply them in their workplaces
• Today's students are preparing for jobs that don't exist yet, and graduates are expected to be immediately productive in defining and shaping these new roles. • Social media editors • Community managers• Programmer/developer roles in
communication companies
Maira Garcia• Statesman, Social Media Editor• Now Web Producer at
The New York Times• Undergrad and Grad at TXST
Jackie Baylon• Digital First Media, NYC,
News Producer• Undergrad TXST
Shannon Delaney• Digital Marketing Coordinator,
MOSAK Advertising and Insights• Grad at TXST
Josh Shepherd• Interactive Manager and Strategist,
MOSAK Advertising and Insights• Grad at TXST
Jordan Viator Slabaugh• Interactive Communications Manager,
Spredfast• Previously, Director of Social Media,
Convio• Undergrad and Grad at TXST
Andrew Waldrup• Social Support, Spredfast• Previously Culture Evangelist
at Gowalla• Undergrad TXST
Nicole Martinez• Social Media Specialist,
HomeAway• Grad at TXST
Mairin Heard• Social Media Specialist,
HomeAway• Undergrad and Grad TXST
Ashley Hebler• Junior Front-End Web Developer,
Volusion• Grad at TXST
Doug Seliger• Junior Developer,
Mason-Zimbler• Undergrad & Grad at TXST
Haley Peck• Front-end Web Developer,
Blackbaud• Undergrad at TXST
Matt Slabaugh• Interactive Designer,
Sparksight• Undergrad at TXST
Dee Kapila• Digital Strategist/Technology Consultant,
The University of Texas• Grad at TXST
Kristin McCasland• Web and Social Media Editor,
Rice University• Undergrad and Grad TXST
Sarah Garcia• SXSW, Interactive Programming
Coordinator• Undergrad and Grad TXST
Andrew McNeill
• SXSW, Festival Coordinator• Also Staff Writer, 48 Min of Hell blog• Undergrad TXST
Questions• How can you best prepare to work in an environment that
requires flexibility and innovation? • How should you develop a mindset for learning rather
than an emphasis on specific tool training or a particular skill set?
• How can anyone apply this model throughout a career?
Realities• Computers will be a part of most any career you choose.• Social media is not just something you do for fun.• People will get information in a variety of embedded and
atmospheric ways.• Data, data everywhere.• Game dynamics will inform
storytelling.• Things change. Rapidly.
General Curriculum Approach• Courses cover the realm of conceptual/theoretical to basic
skills to advanced tech• Balance emphasis on communication, design and
development in projects• Engagement with social media; blogs, Twitter,
Facebook…• Attention to current events in tech• Focus on judgment, problem-solving and troubleshooting• A digital media emphasis: centers, projects, events• Faculty development• Professional community ties
Experience Learning• SXTXState.com• TXStateofChange.com
Alumni Connections
Make Things• Strong online portfolio • Start a blog• Learn to shoot and edit
video and audio• Take things
to the next level• Promote work on social
media• Make it easy for someone
to contact you
Network!• Both online and offline• Develop a professional social presence; positive,
interesting, passionate• Connect with professionals• Attend meetups
Stay up-to-date• Read blogs and tech publications• Try out new platforms• Do tutorials• Pay attention
How Employers Deal• What are employers looking for?
• Flexible• Problem-solving• Self-starter• Curious about tech; ability to learn on one’s own• Passionate about field as demonstrated on social media• Creative side projects
Distance Education/Lifelong Learning• Be prepared to learn throughout life• Seek out online resources, YouTube tutorials, Lynda.com,
CodeAcademy.com• Free or inexpensive workshops in your area • Talks at meetup groups• Make friends with people who know things and can help
you• Seek an advanced degree• Demonstrate what you have learned!
Thank You!
Find this presentation at slideshare.net/cindyroyal
Accompanying video at youtube.com/watch?v=-DwXWXyQot8
The following slides contain additional info on Texas State’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication Digital Media curriculum
Undergraduate Curriculum• Fundamentals of Digital/Online Media – new core class• Web Design and Publishing• Multimedia Journalism• Digital Storytelling
Graduate Curriculum• Issues in New Media• Online Media Design• Advanced Online Media• Content Management
Systems