One day, you may be watching a film directed by one of these aspiring media students.
Media professionals advised over 300 students about career paths, goals and the do’s and dont’s of the industry at Media Day at College of the Canyons on Saturday.
“We’ve got everyone from animators to broadcast reporters,” said Jennifer Overdevest, the Hart District teacher who was responsible for the creation of Media Day eight years ago.
While the event was originally started by Overdevest, she later partnered with COC and Dave Brill, a broadcast journalism professor at the college.
“It highlights how good our synergy can be when folks from the Hart District and COC work together,” Brill said.
Megan Puth, a 14-year-old Hart High School student, was interested in learning more about the animation career path.
She learned that there was more to media and art than what meets the eye.
“When you’re young, you say you want to be an artist when you grow up,” Puth said.
“But there’s a whole lot more to it. You can be an animator, you can help with character designs and and there are just so many paths.”
Matt Kamlet, strategic communications officer at NASA’s Flight Research Center, presented to a group of students interested in media.
He explained that presenting at the community college campus reminded him of the times that he spent at COC.
“For me to come and present at Media Day, that’s only a fraction of what I can do to repay the school,” Kamlet said.
Kamlet commented on what may have happened if he received the guidance that students on Saturday were presented with when he was younger, he may have given him a head start in the media and communications industry.
“On one hand, it certainly could have made my road here easier and less bumpy,” Kamlet said.
“It would have been nice to get a little more guidance from people.”
After helping coordinate five Media Days, Overdevest cannot help but to reflect on the growth of the event.
“To me, I just get pride,” said Overdevest. “It’s amazing to see how many more kids are going to benefit from this.”
