Post-graduate programs at Centennial have the opportunity to provide students with the real-world skills that are needed to progress in their industry. Using a hands-on, experiential learning approach, students can graduate feeling better prepared and confident for their future careers. With a range of programs to choose from, students looking to expand on their previous education or who want to delve into something new can have the chance to do so with the material taught by instructors that are professionals within their industry.
Barry Waite, Chair of Communications and Media at the School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design, says that post-grad programs at Centennial are very professionally focused and career driven. This is partly thanks to the Storyworks course that most students take as a requirement of their program, which offers them the chance to work on real projects assigned by real clients. “Storyworks is a real differentiator [from other schools], as we are not simulating learning, we are doing experiential learning,” he shares. “In all of our programs, through classwork plus Storyworks, students will have a portfolio before they even go to their placement.”
He adds, “Whether it's in Interactive Media or Professional Writing, Children's Media or Public Relations, the courses are all designed to build employment skills... and to prepare you to enter the workforce." Even before enrollment, Barry says students often say that Centennial does a really good job at following up with them, which is a significant reason why they chose the college. It is evident from the jump that everyone invests in student success, and Barry explains the faculty who are connected in the industry are much to thank for that.
While there are many students with various career and education backgrounds that decide to enter into a post-grad program, Barry says this pathway can be a great opportunity for those who may not want to go back to school and commit to a master’s or who do not necessarily want to go into a diploma program either. This type of offering allows students to gain a snapshot into their industry thanks to the curriculum that is always changing to match industry needs.
Nate Horowitz, Dean of the School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design, who helped to develop the majority of post-grad programs on campus, explains that there was a need among university graduates to pursue this type of education. He says, “University, while very good, has not necessarily prepared them for the skills they need and how they can get their foot in the door in the industry or area they want to get into. Post-grad is all about that.” Nate adds that while teaching many hard skills (i.e., technical skills), there are the soft skills, which he calls life skills, that are very important for students to develop, which is exactly what post-grad programs help to cultivate.
The uniqueness of each post-grad program is a major element that helps differentiate our post-grad programs and is something Nate looked for when developing the programs. He explains that he was always looking for that unique, “one of” type of program and something hard for people to access anywhere else.
This unique factor can be seen throughout our programs. For instance, Nate adds that the Public Relations – Corporate Communications program and the Publishing – Book, Magazine and Electronic program have university grads enrolling in them that do really well because they’re able to get the skill sets, the attitudes, and meet the people who can help them network their way into those industries. Similarly, the Professional Writing – Communications program meets a lot of future professionals’ needs since it can accommodate a range of writing focuses, which can make it appealing to those with an undergrad or master’s degree.
Our Film & Television – Business program is unique to Canada, along with the Interactive Media Management program, while the Children’s Media program that Nate developed is helping to meet an industry need, and the Advertising – Media Management program is assisting those who want to get into the field of advertising, as it acts as a portal to do so.
All in all, Nate says that Centennial has a number of great programs, and the value is to the graduate who comes out of university who needs to focus on getting a job in a short period of time without carrying an even greater amount of financial weight that they’ve already accumulated in previous education. “We take the diffuse want that somebody has to work in an industry and help them to focus it very quickly, intensely, and enable them through either placement or shadowing to get into that industry,” he says.
HEAR FROM SOME OF OUR POST-GRAD INSTRUCTORS/PROGRAM COORDINATORS
“Making the decision to pursue a post-graduate education is truly a conscious choice. And that choice ends up being mutually rewarding for the learner and the professor. Centennial's Arts Management program is a hands-on and highly experiential two-semester program that enables the learner to develop the knowledge and skills to work in the performing arts, exhibiting arts sector, arts service organizations, festivals and more. Mentorship, Storyworks and Field Placement set this program apart from its competitors, allowing the learner to soar in the program and land that sought-after job following graduation.” – Rebecca Peirson, Program Coordinator of the Arts Management program
-
“Centennial’s Creative & Digital Strategy Program is creative, demanding and rewarding. Each year a collection of curious student minds gathers for two semesters of thought-provoking creative and strategic leadership. They are challenged to push their intellect further and discover insights about culture and brands that translate to brilliant creative outcomes. Students learn from high-level Creative Director faculty, where workplace anecdotes and formal creative theory play equal roles. Moreover, students also learn equally from their peers. The program attracts applicants from all over the world to create a dynamic and cultural think tank. Students gain valuable creative and strategic insight from various experiential learning opportunities, awards competitions, and an annual industry portfolio review. Graduates from Creative & Digital Strategy go on to work in the creative departments of some of the best agencies in Canada and beyond.” – Tony Cleave, Program Coordinator of the Advertising – Creative & Digital Strategy program
-
“The Children’s Media Program is ideal for anyone who wants to focus their career on the creative side of media and learn how to create marketable content– even with no previous media education or work experience. The Program also offers a unique educational opportunity because there is nothing like it in North America. Classes are made up of students with different educational backgrounds and life experiences. Some students hold degrees in the general arts and are looking to enhance their employability. Others, including mature students, want a second career.
Over three terms, students write scripts and manuscripts, produce videos and write proposals based on their own original ideas. Media trends and technologies are constantly changing. Classes are taught by industry professionals who are experienced, up to date and connected to the biggest media companies and studios. The faculty also works with students to create professional networks that will help them get hired when they graduate.” – Pilar Segura, Interim Program Coordinator of the Children’s Media program
-
“Film Television Business is a unique program in North America. It is the only program that offers you a fully rounded program into the dollars and sense in film and television production in Canada. Learn about the business affairs, production accounting, production management, entertainment law and funding financing that goes on behind the scenes that fuels the industry. A one-year (two-semester) program that is a career accelerator to help you leap ahead in a production office that might one day be yours.” – Jeannette Loakman, Program Coordinator of the Film and Television – Business program
-
“What makes Graduate Certificates, and the Communications-Professional Writing program especially, such a great option for students is that they are more like accelerators than academic programs. If you have a general sense of the area you'd like to work in but no way to demonstrate your skills to potential employers, a Grad Cert will get you a polished portfolio, professional network and industry exposure in eight months. There isn’t a more efficient way to break into a new industry, whether you are a recent grad or looking to pivot later in your career.” – Kelly McConvey, Program Coordinator of the Professional Writing – Communications program
Want to find out more about our post-grad programs? If you are interested in pursuing a post-grad program here at the Story Arts Centre, check out our website, which includes quick links to each program and will provide you with the details you need to enroll.
Article by: Alexandra Few
To uncover other great stories happening in and around the Story Arts Centre campus, check out the latest edition of our Storyteller newsletter.