Digital Communications at Lebanon Valley College

The faculty work closely with students to develop their career plans, to create their portfolios and resumes, to find internships, and to prepare students for the job market. With LVC's 16 to one student to faculty ratio, students in the Digital Communications department benefit from smaller classrooms and interact with the faculty far more than in larger schools.

The Digital Communications department prepares you for a career in the following four ways.

Theoretical and Applied Skills
The department focuses on giving you a base of theoretical knowledge and applied skills. Because of the rapid rate of change, students cannot rely on their technical expertise alone. By focusing on theoretical and applied areas of digital media, students are better prepared for the job market.

Communications and Collaborative Skills
According to Job Outlook 2006, published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), two of the top three most requested skills employers look for in potential employees are communication and collaboration skills. The survey also concludes that many employees don't have these basic skills. To meet this need, Digital Communications emphasizes oral, written, and graphic communication skills and requires that students work in groups throughout their four years in the program.

Focus on the job-market
The department fosters an awareness of the job market. Students are required to identify areas in which they would like to work, research the requirements of this field, and plan on honing their skills to work in that field.

To develop your skills and prepare you for the job market, you are required to create a portfolio and to develop and showcase course assignments. In addition to showcasing your work for potential employers, this portfolio documents your development as a digital communications student.

Professional Experience and Client-Based Projects
The department encourages all students to gain professional experience. Class projects often involve working with and solving problems for local and regional clients, such as The Hershey Company and Armstrong World Industries. Also, faculty work closely with students to find internships in their concentration.