FIU Culture: New Digital Media Club to begin this Fall

Abode Photoshop and InDesign are just a few of the computer programs students should be comfortable using.

The Digital Media Club will teach students how to use those and more programs in the fall.

Jose Gomez, 27, senior in Digital Media Studies and Lauren Shade, 23, senior in Digital Media Studies and FIU Student Media Director, are the founders of this new club.

“Few people feel prepared to face the digital world outside of their classrooms,” said Gomez, “I’m going to graduate soon and I need more experience.”

Students face situations every day requiring digital media skills.

FIU students will find help and guidance in this club surrounded by peers and not feel the pressure of professors grading them.

“The goal is that the students joining our club begin with the end in mind,” said Gomez.

Moses Shumow, Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism and Broadcasting, will also be the advisor for this club. He teaches a course in digital media theory and production at BBC.

“It requires a lot of responsibility to start a club and I will help wherever I can,” said Shumow. “I think the students in this club will get a lot out of this experience.”

Students will learn and develop skills that haven’t been taught in classrooms according to Gomez. “We will teach skills in an efficient way by going over each program step by step and apply the new learned skills to new projects,” said Gomez.

When students develop more skills that will help them in a competitive field in the future, the chances of being chosen over many other candidates grows immensely.

Gomez and Shade have many surprises in store for the students who want to join, such as a variety of workshops involving: Adobe Photoshop, After Effects and more.

“As for the speakers, there are a lot of experienced people in the field that are willing to come and talk to students,” said Shumow.

Other students have also expressed their wish for a digital media club to Dr. Shumow.

“There has been a need for a digital media club,” said Shumow. “Others started not too long ago, such as a PR and a broadcasting club, so it’s great that Lauren and Jose are starting this.”

The club will offer web design workshops and videography tutorials. Educational speaks with professionals in Digital Media related fields and collaborations with other FIU clubs. One of the first planned collaborations will be with the Creative Writing Club to create a student literary magazine.

“We want to be the bridge between what isn’t yet and what could be,” said Gomez.

There are no restrictions to FIU students who want to join this club. Students from all majors are welcome, as long as they have an interest in learning.

“This club is also a great opportunity for students to promote their projects and to get exposure,” said Shumow.

The club is planning plenty of events in collaboration with the SJMC, the Digital Media Studies faculty and clubs at both campuses.

The first two general meetings will take place at the Biscayne Bay Campus in September.
For more information about the club and how to join contact the Vice President, Lauren Shade at lshad001@fiu.edu.

 

Photo Credit – Alexandra Mosquera Netzkarsch

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