Manchester Magazine Fall 2018 | Page 17

MU| F e a t u r e s For McKenna-Buchanan, problem-based learning and internships prepare public relations graduates for all kinds of community relations, media relations and corporate relations jobs. Today’s employment market often adds social media, digital marketing and event planning into the mix. The room where students Darryl and Ekta were working is MU’s Digital Editing Center, which opened with the Academic Center in 2012. It is outfitted with cutting-edge software and media production equipment, including cameras, audio recorders, lighting kits and Apple TV. Digital media, explains Case, was once largely the domain of news and media organizations. Now, however, digital media majors like Darryl and Ekta are creating content for all kinds of organizations and their work may involve video, audio, text and animation, and content for apps, a website or social media. It’s all part of an ever-changing world of communication where the basics still matter but a specialty sets MU graduates apart in the marketplace and propels them into meaningful careers. “The professors here want to support us,” says Ekta. “They give us all the help we need.” By Melinda Lantz ’81 Ekta Saini and Darryl Ray ’18 (on Page 15) work together on a video project. At left, Assistant Professor Tim McKenna-Buchanan provides some guidance to Shianna Knoll (left) and Carly Kwiecien regarding a project. Above left, Judd Case, associate professor of communication studies and department chair, works with student Chris Secrist. VIDEO See the video at magazine.manchester.edu Manchester | 17