Career opportunities in multimedia : a needs assessment.

Abstract

This thesis is a compilation of research that focuses on the emergence of careers in multimedia. Three different components of this thesis were researched thoroughly. The first component was presented in the Review of Related Literature (Chapter 2). In the review seven main topics were examined. The topics were: 1. Trends in Multimedia Technology 2. Career Development Opportunities in Multimedia 3. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Pursuing a Multimedia Career 4. Skills Employers Seek in Multimedia Related Occupations 5. Locations of Multimedia Occupations 6. Where to Search for Jobs in the Multimedia Field 7. Multimedia Opportunities for High School Students Research determining the availability of multimedia job opportunities in the central states region comprised the second segment. The avenues used to obtain this information included (1) a job search through classified ads from four major metropolitan newspapers from four central states and (2) a job search through online employment advertisements. The third component was comprised of a survey that was sent to the business department chairs at every accredited high school in the state of Kansas. The survey asked questions about seven basic areas of multimedia and was based upon perceived responses. The first set of conclusions came from the newspaper and online study. The Internet provided a great number of job listings dealing with multimedia, whereas newspapers provided limited listings, which typically dealt with PowerPoint knowledge. Most jobs were available in larger cities on the East and West Coasts. The second set of conclusions came from the survey. Most schools in Kansas are teaching multimedia, if PowerPoint is included in the definition. Most instructors also agreed there were multimedia job availabilities in the larger cities surrounding their communities. A majority of the respondents stated multimedia funding was adequate, but professional development using multimedia was limited.