Students that understand media technology, have strong communication skills, and have hands on content creation experience are far more marketable in the workforce. Strong communication skills remain the No. 1 factor in hiring an employee.
In addition, listening skills are increasingly important to success in college and careers. According to Edsurge, a 2017 survey of 1,000 employers indicated that listening is the 2nd highest skill employers want from new hires.”
Students that complete the certificate will build these communication skills across various platforms.
Students will gain experience in radio broadcasting, podcasting, visual radio, audio and video production, along with opportunities to create creative podcasts and video/social media content. Skills in the certificate also include audio editing using adobe creative cloud, adobe audition, digital editing, video presentation, producing, business and marketing of media.
These skills can lead to employment in radio, television, film, social media, business, and public relations.
Requirements
First Semester
Second Semester
A content creator produces entertaining or educational material to be expressed through broadcast and digital content. Content creation includes broadcast, audio and video podcast, print and digital marketing materials, livestreams, and social media content,
The web is filled with content created by someone who probably got paid to create it. The most popular platforms that host content creation include:
- Social media platforms (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc.)
- Internet (blogs, podcasts, websites, e-books, etc.)
- Live events (conferences, performances, conventions)
- Printed materials (books, brochures, magazines, packaging, pamphlets)
- Radio, cinema, and television
Here are a few examples of the types of companies that hire content creators:
- Media (news, entertainment)
- Retail and e-commerce companies
- Hospitality (restaurants, hotels, clubs, venues)
- Brands
- Bloggers/ influencers
- Celebrities
Growing Creator Economy:
According to the Washington Post, the creator economy is a global industry valued at $250 billion, with tens of millions of workers, hundreds of millions of customers and its own trade association and work-credentialing programs.
The creator industry includes more than 50 million amateurs and 2 million professionals. More than 1 million earn a living on YouTube alone. YouTube estimates that roughly 390,000 full-time jobs were supported by its creator’s work, which is four times the number of people employed by General Motors.
The creator economy has upended the advertising world by funneling marketing dollars to creator sponsorships. Payments from advertisers to creators in the United States have more than doubled since 2019, to $5 billion, according to the market research firm Insider Intelligence.
Skill-based courses are needed to prepare students for entry-level positions in camera work, editing, analytics and other creator industry skills.
Podcast listeners are a diverse bunch and is growing the fastest among millennials and millennials in minority ethnic groups, according to a U.S. report by Statista. The certificate will allow students in this age range to tap into this growing segment communication between their peers.
Salaries:
The average annual pay for a Content Creator in the U.S. is $116,615 a year, according to ZipRecruiter. Massachusetts ranks number 3 out of 50 states nationwide for content creator salaries.
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of media and communication occupations is projected to grow 6% from 2016 to 2026. The median annual wage for media and communication occupations was $56,340 in May 2017.
Demand for media and communication occupations is expected to arise from the need to create, edit, translate, and disseminate information through a variety of different platforms.
Most entry level positions in social media marketing and communications require prior hands-on experience.
Local Opportunity:
With our proximity to Boston and Providence markets, our program provides students with educational and career opportunities in a thriving media production marketplace. Massachusetts has a high number of media outlets in a small geographic area. There are over 200 radio stations and 68 television stations within driving distance from campus, numerous cable, print and multimedia corporations. We are in the seventh largest TV market and 10th largest radio market in the US.
Film production has also grown substantially over the years in Massachusetts, with a strong need for entry level and experienced employees. These figures also do not include the growing remote positions of freelance work, web-based marketing, film work, voice-over, and various career positions posted that require content creation. These skills are valued in all industries.
The influence of broadcasting effective messages and podcasting is also an important marketing tool for local businesses. This certificate allows community students to take a specific set of courses and build their skills to be effective in marketing their business.
This certificate prepares students to produce multimedia content for broadcast, podcast, streaming, and social media. Students will learn multimedia storytelling, advanced digital editing skills, brand development, and the business of content creation. Students will gain the technical skills to capture and edit digital media and publish to the web and social platforms. Students can earn industry-recognized credentials.
Students are encouraged to consider completion of this certificate concurrent to their progress on the Associate in Arts Media Studies or Communication concentrations.
This certificate is not only for the traditional student interested in radio, podcast, and content creation but the working individual who wants to add additional digital marketing skills to enhance their resume.
Program Completion
Completion of a program is based on full time enrollment. Many of our students attend part time and may not complete within the one year timeline.