By: Nate Walton

Photo Credit: Jonathan Han

The ability to navigate a dynamic landscape is more important than ever in a world that is being shaped more and more by digital media and diverse communication strategies. Johnathan Han, a  student in UMBC's Media and Communication Studies (MCS) program, is a prime example of how a solid academic background coupled with real-world experience can mold a student into a self-assured future media professional. In a recent interview, Jonathan talked about his experience in the MCS program, including the importance of the Capstone Seminar, the interdisciplinary nature of the program, and his goals for a career in marketing.

Johnathan acknowledges that his knowledge of the MCS major was limited prior to enrolling in the program. He recalled, "I only knew that the major offered a wide range of opportunities." When selecting a communications-based degree, many students feel this way: hopeful but unsure of the precise directions it could take them. But for him, the experience was far more than he had anticipated. According to Jonathan, the program confirmed and strengthened his interest in media and communications, which heightened his desire to pursue the career paths that MCS had to offer.

For Johnathan, the MCS curriculum's integration of theory and practical application is one of its distinguishing features. This is especially clear in MCS 499: Capstone Seminar, which is the culmination of academic research and study and calls for students to integrate their knowledge from various program areas. For him, this was a turning point rather than merely an academic obstacle. He saw the Capstone Seminar project as a chance to demonstrate a variety of skills and information he had learned in previous classes, including globalization and MCS theories, in order to organize a paper that advanced media education. It was an opportunity to make sure that the curriculum was accurately understood. This extensive and demanding final project not only tested him but also made a substantial contribution to his academic growth by forcing him to apply intricate theoretical frameworks in a logical, practical setting.

He also highlighted the importance of the program's elective courses, especially those that let students push the envelope. He gained a wider range of media tools by taking classes like MCS 366: Podcasting and MCS 370: Special Topics in MCS, which pushed him to experiment with different formats and topics. He says these classes give the program a surprising depth. “I think it does really well with expanding or adding upon what you thought you already knew,” he said, underlining how these offerings opened up avenues that may be directly applicable to future employers.

Johnathan's development has also been significantly influenced by real-world experience. He has gained practical experience with technical skills that are becoming more and more sought after in the media industry thanks to programs like UMBC's Television Production Crew. Although MCS has been known to help aspiring writers and journalists with their academic readings, he points out that this is only one of the numerous opportunities that make the major so alluring. He has taken advantage of the technical opportunities offered by the major, which expand into filmmaking, editing, and television techniques. In a media setting where adaptability is essential, these technical skills distinguish students such as Johnathan.

He also discussed how the program influenced his use of public and digital platforms. He recognized the value of deliberate and considerate communication as a member of a generation that is closely connected via social media. As new talents like him continue to blossom in the professional landscape, Jonathan has grown more aware of his self-efficacy. His digital footprints are displayed on his platforms, which he uses as a means of upholding his moral principles and raising awareness of issues that he feels are significant. This awareness reflects the critical lens that the MCS program encourages students to apply to the media they create and consume, and it goes beyond branding.

In the future, Johnathan sees himself employed in marketing, a field that combines strategic thinking, media production, and storytelling. "I would adore an internship or full-time position that would enable me to work with cameras, edit, or manage projects," he stated. His goals highlight a more general reality: media professionals today need to be adept at managing the numerous moving components that influence communications plans and media campaigns in addition to creating content.

Jonathan Han's story serves as an example of how studying media can equip students to not only comprehend media but also influence it. His journey through UMBC’s MCS program highlights the value of interdisciplinary education, the necessity of hands-on experience, and the power of reflection in forging a successful path forward. His story is inspiring as well as educational for students just starting out in the media industry.

By: Marilin Argueta-Osorio

Photo Credit: Noël Johnson

Meet Dan Glennon, a Winter 2023 graduate who has built himself quite a resume! He was a stagehand for IATSE Local 19 union, a marketing representative at Maryland Live!, and a department manager at a Magic the Gathering card store. Dan is someone you can’t box in and has definitely broken into the industry in an unconventional way. Let’s dive deeper into how all his experiences made him who he is today.

Q: You've worn many hats throughout the years, do you have a favorite out of the many positions you've had?

First off, thank you for choosing me for the profile. I am honored to be a part of the UMBC MCS family. Secondly, I am throwing professional decorum out the window. You're interviewing a comedian.  But every job I have had has its moments. I thought it was cool giving away a Batmobile at the casino. Crashing weddings as a DJ Assistant made for great people watching. It was fun being able to stay at Warped Tour after I spent three hours helping to build it. But the one that sticks with me the most was when I was 19, I worked at a Magic: the Gathering card store. The owner was only six months older than me so we both had a crash course in how to run a business. I had to run events for 30+ people every day while running the store front and managing inventory. My hair was on fire but I loved it. I thrived in the chaos and it is largely responsible for my ability to operate under pressure. 

Q: Do you have a favorite memory of working as a department manager at a Magic the Gathering card store?

One memory that sticks out to me is helping my friend Brittany build her first deck. I helped her personalize it, find cards she liked, and made sure the deck actually did what it wanted to do. The reason this one sticks out is because Brittany became a community mainstay, working at several of the area shops over the years. It leaves me a little warm, fuzzy feeling.

Q: Congrats on graduating! Rejoining the college scene as an older adult, did you face any challenges? You also mentioned you finished school during COVID, can you give us an insight into what a daily life would be as a college student during this time? 

Woah now, let’s relax on the “older adult” thing. Take my word for it; we aren’t going to be “old” for a long time. You’ll understand what I mean later. But I digress. When I went back to school in 2021, I actually felt like I was the perfect age for me to finish school. I felt like I had the insight (and courage) to lead a class and provoke meaningful discussions. I wasn’t scared to ask questions anymore and I am not so much older that I had nothing in common with my classmates. I mean, I also have YouTube Premium… A day in the life of a COVID student was waking up five minutes before class, turning on your computer, joining the class, and then listening in while doing laundry. The challenge was finding a way to keep myself on track when every day felt the exact same. COVID, amirite?

Q:  What drew you to pursue Media and Communication Studies instead of another art-related major? Did you pursue any minors while at UMBC?

As much of a creative person as I am, I wouldn’t call myself an “artist” per say. I think of myself much more as a designer. I don’t have the steady hand to paint or sculpt (I know, it’s ironic given I do graffiti but I’ll get there) but I have an eye for aesthetics. I chose MCS though because my curiosity was sated by the broad curriculum and my creativity was embraced by using media to create. I may not have a steady hand but I know when to time a sound drop or do a quick cut to build tension in a film. It’s also fun feeling like the smartest person at parties.

Q: What was your favorite MCS class to take? What made this class memorable?

My favorite MCS class was 333. While I had the most personally fulfilling experience writing my senior capstone, 333 with Loviglio was a blast. He would give us free reign to discuss topics and somehow, he found a way to bring it back full circle. 333 helped me zoom out on issues and see how a web of interconnected variables affects everything in our daily lives.

Q: You also took the MCS 480 course, do you have a favorite memory or piece of work?

Back in my day (shakes fist angrily at the sky) it was called 370! But I really enjoyed the class. I am really proud of the editing I did for our video campaign (I think it's running this semester, actually). I really embraced the full access to media to create with. I have made videos before but never with material that I was there to actually help shoot. It was also helpful to see when we needed more B-Roll for the video and we just had to go shoot more. Our team heard me and got the clips to me that same day. It also taught me that there is only so much creative control I have or should exert on a project. I get a great sense of satisfaction when I can mix added audio to perfectly synchronize with what is on screen. One video, Sophia said "stop, stop, stop" right as the music took a half-beat rest. The guitars kick back in the same moment that she begins to speak again. Seeing it play back felt like putting a shirt on straight out of the dryer. I also interviewed Dr. Loviglio on a lot of media theory stuff. I aimed for a GQ style interview, with a mix of narrative and transcript. I challenged him to explain Marshall McLuhan's "the medium is the message" in under 60 seconds. He did it in 48. I also learned that if you are planning a GQ style interview, with a mix of narrative and transcript, make sure to hit the record button… 

Q: How did you get into graffiti? What is one piece that you enjoyed making through this art channel?

How did I get into graffiti… How do I say this without snitching on myself… When I was younger, I was a degenerate. I’d sneak into abandoned places and throw up my tag. Part of it was leaving a mark. Part of it was being a rebel. But also, using spray paint is fun! I think it is because of my attachment to urban/punk culture mixed with the freedom I was given.  I knew I wasn’t going to paint a beautiful mural but I liked changing the way letters look to make shapes and designs. Graffiti showed me that you don’t need much to create something awesome. I actually drew the lettering on our podcast logo by hand and then put the border on Photoshop later.

Q: At the end, you note that you felt more prepared after graduation, what course(s) do you think prepped you the most for graduate life?

I wouldn’t say any particular course made me feel more prepared than any other class but when each of them was layered on top of one another, the interconnectedness of the world just made more sense. I think about it like this; Every mundane action or object is really [redacted] complicated but we have learned to explain simply. And if all else fails, just shrug and blame capitalism. Oh and I use words real good now too. Weird, right? Related note, I hope my wit and obvious sarcasm at times is coming through in these answers.

Q: What advice do you have for students graduating this year looking for jobs? 

My advice is to be creative, stand out, and find jobs on Indeed you can apply to without using Indeed. Yes. I mean going for a drive. And yes, it sucks when you prove all of the out-of-touch people right by "knockin' on doors." But the job market is dismal and job hunting is a soul-sucking endeavor. You are training your ChatGPT to tailor your resume to fight against their AI job filtering. Oh, and then there's the "fake jobs" that are listed just to appear that a company is hiring only to take the listing down three days later. I had over 100 cover letters in a folder. I was so done with it all.  The professional training we receive during our four years is invaluable. Professionalism is essential; but that doesn't mean that it has to be boring. So I decided to break the rules. I created a themed gift box, placed my resume inside, addressed it to the hiring manager, and dropped it off at their office. I received a call two hours later asking for an interview and an offer after that single interview. You only have to get lucky once. And I'll take lucky over good every time. 

Q: Can you tell us more about the company you work for and the position you hold?

So I work at The Commercial Group, which is the parent company to Commercial Construction, Utilities, and Interiors. Basically, if you wanted to build something from a pile of dirt to a shiny new building, we could do it all for you. You’ve seen our work. We build Maryland Live! Casino. I am their marketing and communications coordinator so I do a lot of what you are doing in 480! I write monthly newsletters, post social media content, design proposal layouts and marketing materials. My boss encourages me to take creative liberties designing things because she appreciates my eye so much. I am even going to job sites with a DSLR camera to get promotional material. It’s cool to see my work get incorporated into something that is trying to achieve something so great. I designed the presentation we made to a big company for a multi-million dollar contract last month. Was I the one breaking down pre construction budgets and how OSHA rules will apply to the site? Nope. But goddamn does that presentation look slick. We were awarded the contract. It must have been the background.

Q: What has been your favorite written material from your comedy jokes series? Where do you perform? 

I perform several nights a week out throughout Baltimore. You can always catch me at The Manor on North Charles Street every Thursday at 8:00 for sure. A favorite joke that would work in written form? Hmm… This is a little harder to do because they are performative by nature but I'll type out some of my lines.

“ So I got my first career job out of college and it even has benefits! One of which is a salary! It's bizarre for me to be in a situation where I am not worried about bills; just complaining about them. But I know what it is like to be broke. Has your credit ever gotten so bad that you stop getting pre-approved credit cards in the mail? I was so broke that I was DoorDashing... Got shot at... And continued to DoorDash... Not in general... The very same delivery. So when I go to knock on the door and the guy comes down, he asks why I am shaking and I told him that I just got shot at. So he takes the food and says to wait right there. So I do. Because I'm stupid. And he comes back down with his own gun and says that I'm gonna get out of there alright. I learned that you can earn a lot of loyalty from someone by bringing them tacos at two in the morning. That man was ready to commit a felony for me."

Q: Lastly, is there any other fun fact that you would like us to know about you?

Anything else… Hmm… Oh! Check out the podcast my friend and I do called “The Flood with Doc & Ziggy.” We take the news happening around us and how it shapes the culture that defines us with our pop perspective to put culture in context and make the mainstream make sense.

By: Kendall Blunt

Photo Credit: Abel Communications

Madeline Arbutus, a graduate of 2022, holds her dual B.A. in Media and Communication Studies as well as Visual Arts with a focus on Graphic Design. She also completed a minor in Art History and Museum Studies while at UMBC. During her time here, she combined her passion for theory and design working in roles that pushed her forward in her journey. Being a Production Manager at The Retriever (UMBC’s newspaper) taught her key skills like meeting deadlines and working collaboratively, while also growing her love for typography and print layouts. Additionally, working as Curatorial Assistant at UMBC’s Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture was equally as formative of an experience. Madeline was exposed to concepts like accessible design, a process that considers people with disabilities when creating something, a passion she would keep even after graduation. These experiences, along with the mentorship of Dr. Loviglio, Sandra Abbott, Peggy Re, and Guenet Abraham in both MCS and Visual Arts helped develop her critical thinking, collaborative skills, and creative instinct that has shaped her career.

Currently, Madeline works as a Graphic Designer at Abel Communications, a small, Baltimore-based PR firm. As a part of the creative team, Madeline tackles a range of projects ranging from logo creation and campaign development to video editing and accessibility audits. Within her role, she enjoys studying new and trending design styles and incorporating them into her work, as well as working on mastering tools like Adobe Suite, which can be challenging, but worth it to elevate her designs. Reflecting on her work, Madeline finds the most fulfillment in using visual problem-solving to communicate ideas effectively, allowing messages to resonate with a diverse audience. 

When transitioning from UMBC to her career, Madeline recalls having to actively see herself more professionally. She recounts, “It’s easy to discount your skills and experience right out of college (even though you’re qualified and capable), especially when you’re surrounded by people with years in the field. I recognized, however, that clients and coworkers were already coming to me for design help and expertise. That realization was a turning point—if they were taking me seriously, I should take myself seriously.” She also credits her blended education of both theory and practice for contributing to her success post-graduation. Madeline urges current students to take advantage of all the opportunities offered at UMBC, such as researching niche interests, discovering passions, and pursuing projects that align with their values. 

While Madeline misses the vibrant community and endless resources UMBC offered, her journey exemplifies what it can mean to successfully move from a degree to a career.

By: Gwen Pacis

Photo Credit: Gwen Pacis

At first glance, Media and Communication Studies (MCS) core courses seem straightforward. Each offers skills that will be important in completing a person’s capstone towards the conclusion of the Bachelor of Arts degree. However, after completing MCS 222: Introduction to Media & Communication Studies as a core course prerequisite, MCS majors tend to hesitate when looking at the following courses they need to head into. 

For a lot of people, history and theory can be intimidating to learn and comprehend. It’s understandable as well – when discussing theory, it often comes in various media – not only online, but as physical forms (e.g., books, newspapers, etc.). Additionally, the diction may pose an obstacle for many. However, as a prerequisite for MCS 499: Capstone Seminar, it does not hurt to take a deeper dive into the course material of MCS 333 beforehand to reduce the fear of its material.

What is MCS 333: History and Theory of Mass Communication and Media Studies?

As aforementioned, MCS 333 is an MCS course course that critically examines the history and theories surrounding mass communication and media studies. Instead of focusing mainly on recent decades and developments within social media and other forms of technology, the class material follows a timeline starting from the mid-19th century and its evolution to current-day media culture. The various impacts of not only electronic technology but also transportation (e.g., train) and machinery (e.g., telegraph) contribute to the discussion of media culture evolution. 

In the case of learning about numerous theories, the course offers a wide range of sophisticated texts published by scholars dedicated to understanding the effects of media and society intertwining. Some of these effects elaborated by the theories may discuss electronic technology (e.g., phones) while some dive deeper into the effects of other forms of media on social, economic, and political history. 

For example, a theory that current MCS students elaborate on that has stuck with them would be Jean Baudrillard’s “The Precession of Simulacra.” In a world where technology has integrated itself into society and the environment, this theorist discusses how reality and the simulated world have come to a point where individuals can not distinguish between the two. By indulging in simulacra (e.g., photographs, TV shows, etc.), we fail to recognize our actual reality to appeal to our excitement towards fiction. 

It sounds complicated, does it not? However, through the course, students are able to grow a comprehension of this theory and similar others by connecting it to even their own experiences and current world events. This then opens a student to various perspectives – ones where even many were surprised that they existed prior but have not been discussed further.

How can I make this course easier for myself… and even others?

It is always important to remember that you are not the only one struggling to comprehend something. 

Again – history and theory are hard to comprehend for a lot of people. Especially for me! The formats and diction they are often delivered in may not be understandable off the bat and may need additional elaboration to fully understand the depth of their meaning. In previous semesters, students have noted that professors often pair such theories with real-time examples – such as popular video games (e.g., World of Warcraft) or even global events (e.g., wars, protests). Individually, taking consistent notes in lectures and connecting the theories to your own major life experiences opens new understandings of how media interacts with society today. 

As a current professor of MCS 333 for the fall semester of 2024, Dr. Jason Loviglio also acknowledges the difficulty of grasping the meaning of the material. He advises students to begin with things they and many others don’t understand. “Normalizing feeling a bit lost is important for learning and an important component of the process that theorists go through in developing their theories.” Particularly – texts from Plato, Corinthians, JS Mill, and bell hooks are ones he mentions to be some of the most difficult. However, to lighten the confusion, he has included his own vault of memes, poetry, video essays, etc. for students to connect back to the theories they are paired alongside. 

There are also times when you may grasp a theory and its historical effects much easier than another peer. As noted by Dr. Loviglio and other students who have completed the class – class discussion and collaboration are essential to boosting comprehension. Dr. Loviglio says that the class works best when “students develop a set of recurring questions and arguments that they can bring from text to text and unit to unit. And when they see each other's struggles and questions as part of a collective learning project.” Plus, bouncing ideas back and forth with a person may produce new information about certain concepts or events that can be applicable to these theories.

When should I take this course? Sooner? Later?

It is important to mention again that MCS 333 has MCS 222: Introduction to Media & Communication Studies as a prerequisite for the MCS major’s core courses. However, the best time to take this course is as soon as possible when the chance arrives! MCS 333 lies a significant foundation for the concluding capstone project in MCS 499 as the skills for examining theories and history are essential for the sources you may utilize. Even better, taking this course before MCS 399: Methods in Media and Communication Studies can be beneficial as it aids the research methods (e.g., content analysis) discussed in the class material.

Despite the difficulty it might hold, this course is beneficial for the long-term as it grants you the skills to read deeper between the lines and see the historical growth of media’s role in society in various lights – whether it be beneficial or detrimental. These theories follow you into MCS 499 as well!

The path through this course does not have to be a blind stroll – it can work out!

By: Ellen Kim

Photo Credit: Sophie Lasher

Please introduce yourself! (When you graduated, how you identify, etc.)

My name is Johanna (she/her) and I graduated from UMBC in 2020. I double majored in MCS and English literature, with two minors in music and writing, and was also very involved in the student newspaper, The Retriever, and Musical Theatre Club.

What inspired you to choose MCS as your major?

I started at UMBC as an English literature major but was worried about whether that program would give me the right skills and be the right credential to make myself appealing to the jobs and employers I was interested in. In the end, I do think the English degree would have been enough on its own for the career I found myself in, but I really enjoyed elements of the MCS major, such as reading and discussing mass communications theory and learning software like Adobe Premiere Pro.

What was your most memorable moment(s) during your time at UMBC while being an MCS student or in general? (Class or professor? Maybe both?)

It's hard to think of one memorable moment, but I do have very fond memories of chatting about books and TV shows (and occasionally musical theatre, when I got off on a tangent!) in office hours with Dr. Loviglio, who was my MCS advisor and my professor for MCS 333.

What is something you would have done differently if you were to travel back to when you were a student?

One of the best decisions I made was to take a journalism class on a whim with a friend. I was reluctant because it was at 8:30am... but I tried it and am (obviously—see info about my current job below!) so glad I did. My parents had always tried to get me interested in journalism, as they knew I loved to write, but I had resisted, nervous about whether I was capable of doing things like conducting interviews. All that is to say, the one thing I wish I could have done differently is start looking into journalism as a career earlier, even though it intimidated me. 

What topic did you write your MCS capstone project on? Why did you choose this topic?

As a child, I was a dedicated Tumblr user and very involved in fan culture, so I wanted to explore that field in some way. At first, I wanted to write something comparing fan analysis to academic literary analysis, as I saw a lot of parallels between the analyses I had read throughout my teen years and the articles I read for my English lit classes. But, reading through the existing literature on fan culture, I noticed tons of writing on topics like fan fiction, but none about that analytical fan writing (often called "metas"), which made it difficult to tackle my original topic. I decided my capstone would instead attempt to fill that gap. My project ended up defining the term "meta"  in the context of fanworks and outlining their key characteristics, and I analyzed about fifty "metas" posted on Tumblr across various fandoms to do so. It was super fun—though I procrastinated more than I should have! It was during lockdown, so that's my excuse.

What job position are you in right now? What do you do in this position? Why did you choose this job? How do the skills you learned in MCS help you in this position?

I am a student life reporter at Inside Higher Ed, a 20-year-old online-only publication covering U.S. higher education. In this role, I write about two to three articles about the happenings of U.S. college campuses each week, each one in the approximately 800-1,600-word range. The topics are incredibly varied, as are the formats; lately we've been writing more explainers and Q&As, on top of our regular analysis and news stories. 

In my previous role, as a business reporter at The Maryland Daily Record, I wrote about higher ed frequently, and doing so was one of my favorite parts of my job. When I saw there were openings here at IHE, I wanted to apply but couldn't find the time to do so, until, eventually, I was on vacation at the beach for a week. Luckily, there was still a position open!

The main skills I gleaned from both of my majors were critical thinking and research skills. Each and every one of my classes strengthened those muscles, making it easy for me to draw connections, ask important questions, and explain complex topics effectively. Plus, every essay I wrote (and especially every essay I procrastinated on until the very last minute!) made me a faster writer, which is an incredibly valuable skill as a journalist!

What do you like to do in your free time?

I have way too many hobbies—I love crocheting, writing music on my guitar, playing board games, listening to podcasts, going to see local theatre and comedy, exploring Baltimore with my friends, and more. I also take improv classes with the Baltimore Improv Group and am a member of the New Choir of Mount Vernon.

What would you like to say to current MCS students?

One thing I'm really glad I did in college was throwing myself into my extracurriculars—clubs and internships that nourished different parts of my brain and allowed me to put to task those critical thinking skills I'd gained in my classes. I think it's important to find a way to balance the many things you might want to take on and give them your all.

I also advise you to take advantage of office hours way more than you think is necessary (or even normal). As a student, I liked to talk through my ideas (or, sometimes, entire assignments) with my professors before the due date, and on more than one occasion was told, 'this way off base. You need to make major changes before you turn this in.' Sure, I shed a few tears hearing comments like that, but it was much better than turning the assignment in blind and getting a poor grade! (It's worth noting that not every professor will look at a completed assignment before you turn it in.) I also built great relationships with many of those professors from doing this!