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Communications experts have faced many disruptions over the last decade. Yet, these professionals have kept businesses resilient and the public informed through the meteoric rise of social media, new technological breakthroughs, and the response to the pandemic needs of virtual events and remote work. There’s no better place to develop those skills.
In Moorhead, Minnesota, adjacent to Fargo, North Dakota, one university offers programmes to meet the needs of today’s communication professionals. Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) offers three comprehensive picks — all designed in line with the institution’s goal to produce graduates that meet employers’ needs and help grads stand out in competitive job markets.
The Integrated Advertising and Public Relations major empowers students to explore creative problem-solving through advertising and public relations. The curriculum prepares them for jobs in ad agencies, public relations firms, TV stations, production studios, government agencies, non-profits or any organisation with an in-house advertising, public relations, communications or marketing department.
They build their confidence by taking on real projects for community and campus clients in MSUM’s on-campus, student-run ad agency and public relations firm MSUM Flypaper Creative Services. A student team of communication, design and PR specialists works with a faculty mentor to develop advertising, social and public relations campaigns for clients. They plan events, design print ads, interact with the media, film commercials, and pitch social plans to clients well before graduating.Immediately after graduating, nearly 100% land the role of their dreams.
In addition to Flypaper Creative Services, students can explore a wide variety of experiential opportunities beyond classrooms and textbooks through internships, national competitions and myriad on-campus communication clubs and organisations.
“The most special thing about MSUM is that it gives you very practical experience,” confirms graduate Leah Schmitt. “Not many universities give you the opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge. In the first year, I took classes that applied to my major. All the work I’ve done has prepared me for everything I’ll be doing after I graduate, and I don’t think you could get that experience anywhere else — only at MSUM.”
The university’s Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Management is an excellent interdisciplinary option for students who want to hone technical expertise and strategic planning skills. They will develop those skills while building on a strong foundation in operations, marketing, public relations, communications, data analysis, business and project management. Students also learn to lead business growth by elevating their digital content strategy, opening doors to an array of lucrative careers.
Students are encouraged to fine-tune their craft through internships with one of the area’s many advertising and public relations agencies. Recent student internships include Absolute Marketing Group, AdShark Marketing, Co-Schedule, DogIDs, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Wild, Sundog and Trollwood Performing Arts School. Of course, the doors to Flypaper Creative Services — where approachable industry expertise is flourishing — remain open too.
Source: Minnesota State University Moorhead
Digital media graduates add value to organisations as communications managers, marketing managers, graphic designers, project managers, project coordinators, advertising specialists, public relations specialists, social media specialists and digital marketing strategists.
For those passionate about sharing stories on media and social channels, MSUM’s Multimedia Journalism major is an ideal choice. The programme covers journalistic principles and ethics; skills in writing, reporting, editing and publishing visual and written content; and team projects to publish award-winning newspapers, blogs and online magazines.
At the Marcil Centre for Innovative Journalism, Multimedia Journalism majors can find several facets of media-related learning available, opening up countless opportunities – such as the Marcil Apprenticeships — to gain real-world experience in the media industry and to make invaluable connections with local professionals.
They can contribute to The Advocate as well. The official award-winning student newspaper of MSUM is written and produced by students, for students. More than just a supportive practice ground for those interested in writing, copy editing, photography or design, this is where aspiring multimedia journalists make their mark as they provide accurate depictions of life on campus, and a voice for the students that attend MSUM.
Graduates from MSUM’s School of Communication and Journalism are prepared for rapidly evolving and emerging communication trends. Regardless of the major chosen, in true MSUM fashion, the experience will be vibrant. In classrooms, every learner receives personalised attention from an impressive line-up of faculty members who bring industry experience to their teaching and forges enduring connections with like-minded individuals.
Beyond the classroom, in the the “big-little city” of Moorhead-Fargo, everyone enjoys the best of both worlds — a small-town community feel in a bustling college town atmosphere, where MSUM, Concordia, and NDSU boast nearly 29,000 college students. There truly is something for everyone in this metropolitan area: affordable housing, international dining options, convenient mass transit, low unemployment rates, lower crime rates, frequent sporting events, and a rich arts community.
The best part? The MSUM experience is a smart investment as one of the lowest-priced residential universities in Minnesota. Banded tuition lets students take up 18 credits per semester for the price of 12. Furthermore, it typically awards more than US $3.36 million in scholarships each year. All incoming international students receive the International Student Automatic Scholarship — a partial renewable in-state cultural scholarship.
So why wait? Your journey to mastering the art of 21st-century media and communications begins at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Click here to apply today.
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