BSc Hons Digital Media & Society *New Degree*

IdentityCrisiz

Anyone interested in tapping into jobs like Search Engine Optimiser, Digital Media Strategy Manager, Content Manager, Ecommerce and Digital Marketing Analyst - should take a look at the newly validated degree starting in GMIT Castlebar in September 2013. CAO GA884.
For more information on this unique and innovative degree, have a look at:
http://www.gmit.ie/castlebar/technology/bsc-hons-digmes.html

We also have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/DigMeS

This course was developed in consultation with international organisations such as Google, the Irish Internet Association and specialists in the area of digital media.

http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo/article/57627/gmit-offers-new-honours-degree-in-digital-media-and-society

mayoman1995

how many points will it be and are the job prospects good

IdentityCrisiz

mayoman1995 wrote: »

how many points will it be and are the job prospects good

This is the first year that it is on offer - points are always based on the previous year.

Job prospects are excellent, both locally and internationally.

Examples of jobs:
SEO Copywriter, Community Manager, Digital Designer, Social Media Manager, Assistive Technologist, Web Quality Auditor, Digital Strategist
Have a look on job sites and you should see quite a few jobs in this area.

Our students will be building an e-portfolio of their work throughout the course, so that they have evidence of projects they have worked on with various organisations.

IdentityCrisiz

Attached is our leaflet on the new degree, should give you a better idea of its content etc

bidiots

That document is corrupt for me.

The jobs that you have mentioned: SEO Copywriter, Community Manager, Digital Designer, Social Media Manager, Assistive Technologist, Web Quality Auditor, Digital Strategist

What company in Ireland would have any of these positions available?

IdentityCrisiz

The job titles are generic and various organisations will use different titles. However a search for seo/analytics/social media will usually give you the results relating to our graduates. I go by job specs, so even though our grads would not necessarily be aiming for digital marketing jobs, the specs may suit them in some cases, so one is included below.

Also note that because no other college is offering these skillsets to the jobs market, in most cases our students will have evidence of experience in a particular area out of college and may not have to meet the experience stipulation in most of these, except in higher level jobs that may require management exp for example.

Social media content specialist (Dublin):
http://jobview.monster.ie/Social-Media-Content-Specialist-Job-Dublin-Ireland-117895855.aspx

SEO manager (Dublin)
http://jobview.monster.ie/SEO-Manager-Job-Dublin-City-Centre-Dublin-Ireland-118778220.aspx
(French is recommended for this job - our students may choose a foreign language elective)

Digital marketing specialist (Dublin)
http://jobview.monster.ie/Digital-Marketing-Specialist-Job-Dublin-Ireland-118472114.aspx

While this isn't in our list of job ops, the particular job spec would be bang on for our grad that focuses on bus/dig marketing modules

Web analyst/developer
http://jobview.monster.ie/Web-Analyst-Developer-Recent-Grad-earn-€40k-10-bonus-benefits!-Job-Dublin-Dublin-Ireland-116831117.aspx

Social media community specialist (Dublin)
http://jobview.monster.ie/Social-Media-Community-Specialist-Job-Dublin-Ireland-117896290.aspx

Social media monitoring analyst
http://jobview.monster.ie/Social-Media-Monitoring-Analyst-Job-Dublin-Ireland-117896466.aspx

Webtrends metrics developer (Donegal)
http://jobview.monster.ie/Webtrends-Metrics-Developer-Job-Donegal-Donegal-Ireland-102778542.aspx

Seo specialist (Amsterdam) - just to give an EU example
http://jobview.monster.ie/SEO-Specialist-Job-Amsterdam-Netherlands-118604794.aspx

Social media analyst
http://jobview.monster.ie/Social-Media-Analyst-Job-Dublin-Dublin-Ireland-117932718.aspx

Technical writer/community driver (Galway)
http://jobview.monster.ie/Technical-Writer-Community-Driver-Job-Galway-Ireland-118786796.aspx

All of our grads will not be able to do all of these jobs, choices in electives and projects they work on during their 4 years will determine the direction they take.

One thing I will say is that this is just the tip of the iceberg, the US have been advertising these types of jobs for over 4 years now, many small Irish organisations have been looking for these skills for the past 3 years. There is and will be demand.

bidiots

Thanks for the reply. Would it be possible to pm me the leaflet? It's corrupt when I try to open it.

Since the experience required is 3 years minimum in most cases you have shown, with specific experience required in all,I doubt any graduate would be eligible unfortunately.

So, with this qualification, where could a graduate earn the experience required?

IdentityCrisiz

I've replaced the PDF above so it should work now, thanks for letting me know.

Granted, some jobs will have a necessary requirement of 3 years experience, particularly where someone is required to have certain specialised experience, example project management.

However, if colleges are not giving students an education in, for example SEO or Analytics, then many people have to build up these skills up while working as a web designer/developer or some similar role.
If an employer sees evidence that you have studied these areas and have gained competence in them by working with organisations throughout your time in college, in many cases this will stand as experience.
How many colleges are gearing students up for jobs like "Social media content specialist"? We have a very unique approach and students will gain insights into the impact that technology is having on society as well as new an emerging trends. Some colleges may offer disperse modules in some of the above requirements, but we have developed the full package.

Of course there are more jobs internationally, but we started studying the jobs market in the US in 2008, and even though the job specs were there, many organisations were confused in how to define the person they were looking for, because this is cross discipline, and graduates tend no to be. We are now seeing better definition in these jobs, and more of them in Ireland.
We have spoken to organisations that would require these type of skill sets, and they are very happy with what we have come up with.

I hope that helps answer your queries.

bidiots

I understand where you are coming from but am too aware of the difficulties in gaining the necessary experience in order to obtain the jobs you have alluded to.
From a personal point of view, a guaranteed internship with the companies you have been in contact with would be a huge incentive and a guarantee for this course to work. Otherwise I can't help but see graduates having to do add on Masters in a relevant field in order to be qualified. As usual, its a chicken-egg scenario....

Thanks for the info tho...

IdentityCrisiz

I understand your concerns, and this would have been a strong consideration when we were developing the degree. For that reason, we offer it as a 4 year degree, to ensure students have exposure to specific skills in strategic planning, adaptability and analytical thinking.

This has been researched over the last 5 years by a cross-disciplinary team of competent academics in consultation with leaders in the tech-industry. It has been scrutinised by external experts, and they agree that our graduates will be "highly employable" in the area of these emerging digital employment opportunities.

As I said, we have a unique approach, and it will mean that students will have evidence of relevant experience when leaving college - in other words, they will be working on "live projects" with relevant organisations. If they wish to further their academic qualifications to level 9 and beyond, we will be identifying suitable post-grad courses as would be the case in most college degrees in the country.
But they wont need the postgrad to tap into the jobs we will be preparing them for.

bidiots

IdentityCrisiz wrote: »

I understand your concerns, and this would have been a strong consideration when we were developing the degree. For that reason, we offer it as a 4 year degree, to ensure students have exposure to specific skills in strategic planning, adaptability and analytical thinking.

This has been researched over the last 5 years by a cross-disciplinary team of competent academics in consultation with leaders in the tech-industry. It has been scrutinised by external experts, and they agree that our graduates will be "highly employable" in the area of these emerging digital employment opportunities.

As I said, we have a unique approach, and it will mean that students will have evidence of relevant experience when leaving college. If they wish to further their academic qualifications to level 9 and beyond, we will be identifying suitable post-grad courses as would be the case in most college degrees in the country.
But they wont need the postgrad to tap into the jobs we will be preparing them for.

Thanks again for the information. Not to be pedantic though, my reservation about this type of course is still valid. Even after completion, a graduate would need 3 years experience for the majority of jobs you have shown. Where will a graduate gain this experience?

The reason I am asking is because the jobs you have shown, are suited towards experienced individuals who have specialized in some way in the desired field. Spending 4 years as an undergrad has a definite danger of graduating with 'obsolete' experience, especially in this area of IT.

Again, just personal thoughts

IdentityCrisiz

bidiots wrote: »

Where will a graduate gain this experience?

They will gain the necessary experience through working on real industry projects at various stages during their time in college under supervision of academic mentors. We have an appropriate plan to ensure that the experience actually happens at relevant and targeted stages (and that they don't spend 6 months in an internship making coffee and photocopying)

Beyond that, our students will just have to trust us that we will ensure their skills are not obsolete or below the bar for their future aspirations.

bidiots

But that experience will not count. Despite how it looks, in no way am I trying to detract from the course, my view could be measured against many courses in this country tbh.

IdentityCrisiz

bidiots wrote: »

But that experience will not count. Despite how it looks, in no way am I trying to detract from the course, my view could be measured against many courses in this country tbh.

But that is your opinion, I am basing my answers to you on facts from employers that need these graduates, and experts that are experienced in technological changes.
You cannot compare this courses to "many other courses in the country", it is not like any other course in the country.

BTW I have no prob with you giving your opinion, and I don't think you are trying to detract from the course. I do think is is important for people to ask the tough questions, as it's their future they are planning for, and they need jobs out of college and a way to progress. We take that responsibility very seriously.

bidiots

IdentityCrisiz wrote: »

But that is your opinion, I am basing my answers to you on facts from employers that need these graduates, and experts that are experienced in technological changes.
You cannot compare this courses to "many other courses in the country", it is not like any other course in the country.

BTW I have no prob with you giving your opinion, and I don't think you are trying to detract from the course. I do think is is important for people to ask the tough questions, as it's their future they are planning for, and they need jobs out of college and a way to progress. We take that responsibility very seriously.

Not to harp on about it but my question still has not been answered. Where will graduates gain the experience needed to apply for the jobs you posted?

IdentityCrisiz

IdentityCrisiz wrote: »

They will gain the necessary experience through working on real industry projects at various stages during their time in college under supervision of academic mentors. We have an appropriate plan to ensure that the experience actually happens at relevant and targeted stages (and that they don't spend 6 months in an internship making coffee and photocopying)

I believe that was answered already. If you need additional information or specific information relating to the course, you should contact us directly in GMIT Castlebar - all contact information is on the leaflet

bidiots

IdentityCrisiz wrote: »

I believe that was answered already. If you need additional information or specific information relating to the course, you should contact us directly in GMIT Castlebar - all contact information is on the leaflet

No, I'm afraid it still hasn't been answered. As I said, whatever experience gained while studying for a four year degree will never equate to the experience required in the jobs you posted. Unless you have work placement arrangements but you have dismissed this as 'and that they don't spend 6 months in an internship making coffee and photocopying'.

Also, these 'live projects' that you refer to, what companies are you in collaboration with?

Thanks again for the information

IdentityCrisiz

You obviously have a keen interest in this course, and many questions about it. The most effective way to answer all of your queries is to contact us directly. We can address your individual needs and guide you through the organisations/learning paths that will give you the skill-set you require.

bidiots

To be honest, I just hoped that my questions could be answered and thus this thread would be useful to future candidates. As an aside, I think 4 years for this type of course is too long and would be outdated once graduated. That's just my view tho:)

IdentityCrisiz

Your priority seems to be to express your personal view - rather than generating useful content for future candidates.

Perhaps you could share with us if you have some kind of educational/technological expertise that would support your personal viewpoints thus making them valuable to the readers of the thread

bidiots

As a graduate who doesn't have the required experience for the various jobs I've applied for, I'm still left with the unanswered question that you seem to be avoiding. But that in itself tells its own story. I'll refrain from posting in the thread. Thanks anyway.

IdentityCrisiz

Ok, now I understand where you are coming from. That is a very frustrating situation to find yourself in.

I am not avoiding your questions, we do have several organisations that we have established current and future collaborations with. We have several requests for students for work experience in a variety of digital media areas at the moment.

However, the industry is changing, a lot.

Therefore, a large organisation that may have relevant projects for our students to work on this year, may not have something as relevant on offer next year.

It is vital for this degree that all work experience projects are relevant to the individual student. We have and will be building up enough links so that we can offer our students exposure to the industry they want to target, be it commercial, voluntary, domestic, international.

Our priority is to ensure our degree moves in line with industry, and we can only do that by having flexibility ourselves and in our collaboration choices.

Wish you the best in your job search.

Diabhal Beag

Always good to pack these threads with as much info as possible as prospective students will be reading.

mayoman1995

how many people have applied for this course

IdentityCrisiz

I am not authorised to share the stats in a public forum, but we are really pleased with the level of interest

IdentityCrisiz

If anyone is interested in entering our video competition to win an 10" Arnova Tablet, have a look at our Tumblr blog

IdentityCrisiz

mayoman1995 wrote: »

how many people have applied for this course

are you wondering about securing a place on the course? You can contact us directly - all contact details are on the leaflet

mayoman1995

IdentityCrisiz wrote: »

are you wondering about securing a place on the course? You can contact us directly - all contact details are on the leaflet

im in leaving cert . arent i supposed to apply thru the CAO or is there a back door entry

IdentityCrisiz

ha ha, no - there are no backdoor entries!
Yes, everyone must apply through the CAO. If you were a mature student I would have advised you about our interviews which are taking place on the first week in May.
Other than that, a lot of people have been in contact with us directly, where they have individual queries about the format of the course etc.

mayoman1995

is their much maths on this course and can you become a software developer

IdentityCrisiz

There is business maths in second year. SW Development is mandatory in first year, then elective modules in y 2-4. There will also be scripting for web in digital media subjects.
However, if you want to be a software developer, you should probably look at a SW development degree as it is not core in this degree.