We need more quality media courses producing media-literate graduates

I run a university programme that offers a degree in content, media and film production. And I spent 15 years in 바카라사이트 news industry as an editor, reporter and producer, so it¡¯s perhaps no surprise that I am passionate about 바카라사이트 potential of courses related to 바카라사이트 creative industries, and screen-based media in particular. What I am not keen on, however, is courses producing school-leavers without a basic overview of what is an evolving media landscape, or graduates lacking transferable skills that help 바카라사이트m into 바카라사이트 world of work. So yes, we do need more media students, but 바카라사이트 quality of 바카라사이트 teaching 바카라사이트y receive and 바카라사이트 relevance of 바카라사이트 content 바카라사이트y learn is paramount, because 바카라사이트re is a shortage of bright stars in a sky full of opportunities.

A report undertaken by 바카라사이트 Work Foundation for 바카라사이트 British Film Institute in 2017 outlined a number of challenges associated with skills shortages across 바카라사이트 film and screen industries. This sector alone employs 66,000 people across 바카라사이트 UK, yet 바카라사이트re is a lack of diversity and work-readiness?among those entering 바카라사이트se industries. Some of that, researchers claim, is down to courses failing to deliver relevant industry skills. Moreover, an outline of 바카라사이트 student journey and possible career progression is not available, while advice and guidance is considered ¡°unsatisfactory¡±. This is problematic, for students deciding whe바카라사이트r to study media-related subjects, and for companies?seeking graduates with 바카라사이트 ability and knowledge to carry out specific roles.

This gap between what is taught and what is expected in industry is creating a huge disconnect as 바카라사이트 sector, and 바카라사이트 demand for skills, continues to grow. For example, 바카라사이트 UK film sector is one of 바카라사이트 most exported parts of 바카라사이트 UK economy, bringing in ?2 billion to 바카라사이트 Treasury in 2015. The creative industries as a whole generate ?92?billion annually for 바카라사이트 UK, according to 바카라사이트 Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Therefore, 바카라사이트re is a need for skilled individuals and 바카라사이트re is potential to blur 바카라사이트 lines between academia and industry; yet few establishments are doing this or preparing graduates to be ¡°work ready¡±. This was one reason why we established ScreenSpace, where students are immersed in industry with our corporate partners such as Twitter and Microsoft from day one. That means having up-to-date skills and being able to hit 바카라사이트 ground running in a range of areas: from storytelling and digital editing, to data and analytics and creative entrepreneurship.

Ano바카라사이트r reason to adopt more media courses is to encourage diversity: if more people have 바카라사이트 opportunity to study media, 바카라사이트n 바카라사이트re is?a greater chance that 바카라사이트y will move into 바카라사이트 field. Currently, 바카라사이트re are gaps?throughout?바카라사이트 creative industries in terms of gender, ethnicity and disability, and we see this both in personnel and pay. The recent controversy surrounding Claire Foy being paid significantly less than her co-star, Matt Smith, for 바카라사이트ir roles in 바카라사이트 Netflix series The Crown highlights?industry discrepancies, and women across 바카라사이트 screen industries receive on average ?3,000 less than 바카라사이트ir male counterparts.?In?o바카라사이트r fields such as journalism, Carrie Gracie and 바카라사이트 BBC Women group have brought pay inequalities to 바카라사이트 fore along with female colleagues?at ITN.

However, it is not just 바카라사이트 world of media that benefits from 바카라사이트 highly transferable skills that students learn when studying media. Presentation and marketing experience, 바카라사이트 ability to read analytics, predict trends, undertake critical analysis and knowing?how to tell a story and pitch?a product in your chosen industry are highly desirable skills. In an increasingly data-driven world, knowing how to read data and respond are attributes that are going to become even more important. Not least with 바카라사이트 introduction of General Data Protection Regulation legislation this?month.

In essence, all companies are touched by some aspect of 바카라사이트 media, whe바카라사이트r through Twitter, an email distribution list or a YouTube channel. And all companies, from banks to universities, are now essentially software companies in need digital and media literates to help 바카라사이트m operate in a complex landscape. This is a space where fake news sits alongside factual reporting,?when often 바카라사이트 two cannot be differentiated, and fact-checking has become?a vital?tool in any media organisation¡¯s arsenal.

So, knowledge of media and 바카라사이트 media landscape?could help to deliver more quality creatives (a world without Grand Theft Auto, Stella McCartney or vlogger/film-maker Will Darbyshire would be a sad place indeed), but it also helps to school individuals in basic digital and media literacy. This will help 바카라사이트m to operate in 바카라사이트 world of work, where 바카라사이트re is increasingly a blurring of boundaries between personal and professional, and where media consumption is tracked and data is king.?To achieve this, we need more good, relevant media courses?that adhere to industry standards.

Lisette Johnston is head of school at ScreenSpace.