Nontraditional (to us) nontraditional (to them) jobs

Posted on February 7, 2008 by Melissa Worden

It used to be that new media/multimedia jobs were those “nontraditional” jobs. (One could argue they still are in many newsrooms, but I like to think that more journalists are thinking about multimedia.)

Now that it’s becoming more mainstream, I’ve noticed companies outside traditional newspapers are looking for multimedia content producers.

This is good news for those who might feel “stuck” in their jobs. I’ve talked to many folks who say newspapers are all they know, and there’s nothing else they could do. Even if they wanted to move on to something else, they don’t think there’s anyplace they can go.

So now we have another incentive for building multimedia skills (outside of producing good journalism, of course) — you’ll be highly marketable.

Here are just a sample of postings I found (and notice that some are posted on journalismjobs.com, which to me means they are targeting journalists skills and value what they could bring to the job):

>> Multimedia Designer, University Communications at The University of California, Irvine

Under the direction of the Director of Web Communications, University Communications, the Multimedia Designer maintains and supports of the University Web presence through the design, creation, evolution, production and maintenance of multimedia programming used on the UCI Web site (www.uci.edu), Zot!Wire, today@uci Web site (today.uci.edu), chancellor Web site (www.chancellor.uci.edu) and other sites as needed. The designer develops and builds multimedia applications that showcase UC Irvine’s priorities and strengths for internal and external audiences. Working with graphic/Web designers across campus, facilitates the production of materials for highly complex interactive online presentations. Designs print materials (magazine, brochures, and advertisements) as required. As a member of the University Communications team, the multimedia designer will lead and implement projects though programming flash applications, supporting existing multimedia applications and performing a variety of Web site accessibility testing and quality assurance.

>> Multimedia/Online producer, Freedom Forum

The Multimedia and Online Producer is a full-time faculty member of the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute, Inc., a nonprofit school based at the John Seigenthaler Center in Nashville, Tenn.

The producer will be a technology specialist responsible for creating, editing and deploying a variety of online content, with an emphasis on video, audio and interactive multimedia for the Diversity Institute.

Examples of content include video journalism, podcasts, videocasts, Soundslides, interactive tools, widgets and other innovations perhaps not yet conceived.

>> Multimedia producer, McMurry

McMurry is seeking a Multimedia Producer, experienced in hands-on video production, podcasts, audio slide shows and related media for online presentation. The right candidate has at least three years of experience in multimedia production; is skilled at collecting, scripting and editing online content; and knows how to put together a talented production team in multiple cities on short notice. He or she is capable of producing short video pieces in a diverse range of subjects and is comfortable working in a challenging and fast-paced team environment with demanding clients.

The winning candidate is an idea person, knows how to make magazine story ideas relevant electronically, and understands both the world of journalistic editorial and marketing. This contract position—with the chance of becoming full-time employment—is an opportunity to take part in an exciting, high-profile project launch.

>> Multimedia Designer, University of Pennsylvania Health System

The Multimedia Designer in Marketing Services/Business Development supports the graphic design and multimedia needs for all UPHS web sites managed by Marketing. This includes the bulk of the UPHS public web site located at pennhealth.com, as well as additional public and internal sites. The Multimedia Designer also provides graphic design support for online advertising and cross-marketing relationships with other non-UPHS web sites.

The Multimedia Designer works closely with the print designers in the Creative Services division in order to integrate web design with offline design. This designer also works closely with the Senior Multimedia Designer to create a consistent and high-quality look-and-feel, navigational structure, and user interface across all UPHS web sites. The designer interacts regularly with other Web Division staff to understand graphics needs and to ensure that web sites are developed according to the design, and other Marketing staff to understand client needs and preferences.

The Multimedia Designer maintains an awareness and understanding of emerging technologies, standards, and trends in web design and applies those techniques as needed to help maintain a high-quality web presence for UPHS.

>> Multimedia specialist, Harvard Business School Publishing

Harvard Business Digital, the online division of Harvard Business School Publishing (HBSP) is seeking a Multimedia Web Producer for its website, www.harvardbusiness.org HarvardBusiness.org is the primary Web destination for HBSP, housing the online version of Harvard Business Review, thousands of for-sale products such as books and case studies, and a new and growing selection of free content such as blogs, video, audio, and interactive tools.

Reporting to the Lead Producer, the Multimedia Web Producer will be responsible for creating, editing and deploying a variety of online content, with an emphasis on video, audio and interactive multimedia for Harvard Business School Publishing. Examples of content include video interviews, podcasts, interactive tools and widgets. Key responsibilities include: light editing/post-producing video and audio; authoring/editing XHTML, CSS and XML; formatting content and deploying it via content management systems, blogging applications, listservs, mobile platforms and flat HTML pages. This is a hands-on position where the individual will be working directly in a variety of applications and deployment environments. He/she also will assist in project conceptualization, planning and coordination. This is a highly collaborative, team-based environment where work in managed via a project management process.

>> Multimedia Production Analyst, Lockheed Martin

Description: Researches, prepares and produces audiovisual (film, videos, interactive multimedia, DVD or CD) for training for training, sales, promotion, documentation, and other communicative purposes for both internal and external audiences. Consults with user to assess appropriate medium, creates product concepts, plans production, produces video to include scriptwriting, location scouting, shot selection, video shooting, tape logging, music and sound effect selection, digital effect creation, final editing and tape duplication. Researches and prepares the material, writes scripts, selects visual aids, music, sound effects, etc.

Comments

3 Responses to “Nontraditional (to us) nontraditional (to them) jobs”

Mindy McAdams on February 8th, 2008 11:02 am

Good post, Melissa! I have seen some of those ads for non-journalism jobs too, but I had not made the connection that you have (until you helped me see it). So now there are even more “second careers” open to recovering journalists, eh?
Angela Grant on February 12th, 2008 2:59 pm

That’s really interesting!
A nontraditional change : the x degree: taking new media to new heights on March 14th, 2008 10:48 pm

[…] back, I wrote about how your online journalism skills can translate to other industries. Well, I’m happy to announce that I have a wonderful opportunity to explore the world outside […]