Preparing for the Job Market

With LVC's low student-to-faculty ratio, majors in the Digital Communications Department benefit from smaller classrooms and more interaction with faculty than at larger schools.

The Digital Communications Department will prepare students for successful careers in the following four ways:

1. Theoretical and Applied Skills

   • The department focuses on giving students a base of theoretical knowledge and applied skills. Because of the rapid rate of change, students cannot rely on their technical expertise alone. By focusing on theoretical and applied areas of digital media, students are better prepared for the job market.

2. Communications and Collaborative Skills

   • According to Job Outlook 2006, published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), two of the top three most requested skills employers look for in potential employees are communication and collaboration skills. The survey also concludes that many employees don't have these basic skills. To meet this need, the Digital Communications Department emphasizes oral, written, and graphic communication skills and requires students to collaborate in groups during their four years in the program.

3. Focus on the Job Market

   • The department fosters an awareness of the job market. Students are required to identify areas in which they would like to work, research the requirements of that field, and develop the required skills to be successful in that field.

   • To develop skills and prepare students for the job market, majors are required to create a portfolio and develop and showcase course assignments. In addition to showcasing your work for potential employers, this portfolio documents your development as a digital communications student.

4. Professional Experience and Client-Based Projects

   • The department encourages all students to gain professional experience. Class projects often involve working with and solving problems for local and regional clients, such as The Hershey Company and Armstrong World Industries. Also, faculty work closely with students to find internships in their concentration.