One of the the first things I tell prospective students at open houses or during campus tours is to get involved as early as you can in your college career. The more hands-on experience you receive while in college, the more prepared and ready you are for the real world. Within the Digital Communication & Social Media major, as well as the Communication major, you are able to get your hands on equipment within your first semester... how cool is that?!
One of the first courses that incoming freshmen will take is video production. In this course, you learn how to handle professional grade video cameras and work every piece of equipment within the video control room and studio. Also, you'll learn how to use professional video editing software, Final Cut Pro, so that you can edit your projects. During class, you're able to be the director, the talent, the camera operator (and more!), all while learning transferrable skills that you can put towards other courses and internships, like team work and accountability.
Another way freshmen can hit the ground running with hands-on experience during their first semester is to take the Audio Production class and/or sign up for Cabrini's radio station, 89.1 WYBF Cavalier Radio. Audio Production teaches the basics of voice recording, interviewing someone and then editing that audio together to create a clear, concise audio story. Students learn how to use professional equipment, such as Adobe Audition and professional grade microphones, and are also learning how to edit and tell the best story via audio. With the radio station, new students go through a 5-week training process and then, after passing their training test, are able to have their very own 2-hour radio show once a week for the remainder of the semester. They are also a member of the station and participate in WYBF events and are helping hands around the station. These courses help with public speaking, time management, as well as team work and leadership.