STCC Digital Media Production graduate applies classroom lessons to field work
STCC alumnus Chris Jackson
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Two months after graduating from Springfield Technical Community College, Chris Jackson started a job as a photojournalist working at a local television station.
It was early 2020, and within weeks he was covering a big story: the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That was intense,” Jackson recalled. “Pretty much when I stopped training, that’s when the lockdowns happened, and I was going out into the world.”
Jackson was able to succeed on the job in part thanks to his training in the Digital Media Production Technology program at STCC. He earned his associate degree in September 2020.
“The program has an extensive amount of different classes that specialize in different things,” he said. “There’s writing for TV. There’s speaking on TV. They have a ton of TV news classes. There’s a plethora of different programs within digital media.”
Jackson, 31, said he enjoyed working in the program’s studio which gave him experience with “green screens” that allow for digital effects in the background.
“They’ve got the studio cameras and the control room with the switchers and multiple monitors,” he said. “So you really get a full sense. STCC really has everything you would want to have to get your hands on in the real world."
Chris excelled working with production teams often taking on a leadership role due to his clear passion in the field. He has a natural cinematographer's eye and fantastic post production skills.John Wakelin, Professor, Digital Media Production
Jackson learned from professors like John Wakelin, who chairs the Digital Media Production program and worked in the television industry before his teaching career.
“Chris excelled working with production teams often taking on a leadership role due to his clear passion in the field. He has a natural cinematographer's eye and fantastic post production skills,” Wakelin said. “The Digital Media Production Technology program offers students like Chris a hands-on experience, allowing them to produce media using industry standard technology. Our program is designed to give students a chance to develop a wide variety of skills that can prepare them for careers as editors, social media specialists, journalists, camera operators and more. We also see students transfer to continue their education.”
The two-year program leads to an associate degree in Digital Media Production Technology.
Jackson said professors like Wakelin and others bring real-world experience to the classroom. “The professors are extremely knowledgeable. With their experience, they know exactly what they’re talking about.”
Jackson, who works as a photojournalist for WWLP-22News, developed an interest in video and camera work when he was growing up.
“I would always pick up my parents’ camera and take videos,” said Jackson, who grew up in Enfield, Conn., and now lives in Palmer, Mass. “Being with friends, I would buy a cheap camera and shoot skate videos and us doing goofy things.”
Knowing that STCC has a great reputation, he applied to enroll in the Digital Media Production program in 2018. He had worked factory jobs for a few years after high school and once considered a career as an automotive technician, but decided it wasn’t for him.
“I really thought about what made me happy, and what I wanted to do. I figured pursuing video editing and camera operation was a good route to start my career,” Jackson said. “I would recommend the program at STCC to anyone. I always talk highly about it whenever it is brought up. The professors are extremely knowledgeable. I always had great classmates, and it’s a good environment to be in.”
Watch a video of Chris Jackson talking about STCC.
Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.
About Springfield Technical Community College
STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu