Hipster Learning: Preparing for Jobs That Don't Exist Yet

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Josh Shepherd
• Interactive Manager and Strategist,
MOSAK Advertising and Insights
• Grad at TXST
Shannon Delaney
• Digital Marketing Coordinator,
MOSAK Advertising and Insights
• Grad at TXST

5. 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

6. Nicole Martinez
• Social Media Specialist,
HomeAway
• Grad at TXST
Mairin Heard
• Social Media Specialist,
HomeAway
• Undergrad and Grad TXST

7. Ashley Hebler
• Junior Front-End Web Developer,
Volusion
• Grad at TXST
Doug Seliger
• Junior Developer,
Mason-Zimbler
• Undergrad & Grad at TXST

8. Haley Peck
• Front-end Web Developer,
Blackbaud
• Undergrad at TXST
Matt Slabaugh
• Interactive Designer,
Sparksight
• Undergrad at TXST

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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?

12. 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.

13. 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

14. Experience Learning
• SXTXState.com
• TXStateofChange.com

15. Alumni Connections

16. 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

17. Network!
• Both online and offline
• Develop a professional social presence; positive,
interesting, passionate
• Connect with professionals
• Attend meetups

18. Stay up-to-date
• Read blogs and tech publications
• Try out new platforms
• Do tutorials
• Pay attention

19. 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

20. 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!

21. Thank You!
Find this presentation at slideshare.net/cindyroyal
Accompanying video at
youtube.com/watch?v=-DwXWXyQot8

22. The following slides contain additional
info on Texas State’s School of
Journalism and Mass Communication
Digital Media curriculum

23. Undergraduate Curriculum
• Fundamentals of Digital/Online Media – new core class
• Web Design and Publishing
• Multimedia Journalism
• Digital Storytelling

24. Graduate Curriculum
• Issues in New Media
• Online Media Design
• Advanced Online Media
• Content Management
Systems