Purdue University College of Liberal Arts
Information for
Program Information
Educational Goals:
- Present specific viewpoints in creative and cultural context
- Develop influential/persuasion skills
- Learn to synthesize information
- Acquire interpretation skills
- Practice reporting and editing skills
- Create entertaining and persuasive messages
- Evaluate ideas and presentation
- Gather information and data; Compare and contrast evidence
- Evaluate information and sources
- Develop critical thinking skills
- Encourage creativity and self expression
- Measure media effects
- Learn planning and managing skills
- Work with deadlines
- Work independently
- Increase attention to details
- Work in teams/small groups
- Identify and manage different needs of individuals, groups, etc.
- Understand institutional and cultural values
- Collaborate in rewriting and editing with others
- Explain processes, plans and concepts
Career Prospects
Individuals who intend to work in any artistic and highly competitive field should maintain a realistic perspective about the personal and professional demands one must face in choosing such a career. While no degree or school can guarantee a livelihood in this area, Purdue's Film/Video Studies program can allow the self-motivated student to create a solid interdisciplinary, individualized foundation program for further study of film, video, and developing media or entry into the workforce in a creative capacity. Many of our graduates have successfully used their major in a variety of creative occupations.
To maximize their job prospects after graduation, we encourage students to pursue second majors in related fields connected to their interests and abilities and actively seek real-world opportunities through internships.
A Film/Video Studies major can be the foundation for a wide variety of career choices. For example, a Purdue University student with a strong interest in game design or computer animation might choose to combine courses from Film/Video Studies, Creative Arts, and Computer Graphics Technology. Students work closely with the Chair of Film/Video Studies and with their Liberal Arts adviser to select coursework both inside and outside the major. This requires planning at three levels:
- Selecting the right courses from within the Film/Video Studies program.
- Selecting complementary courses from the second major or from outside electives.
- Developing an internship.
Film Studies Related Occupations
Note: No university can assure a career in film, television or multimedia - your success is based solely on your personal drive, dedication, attitude, and hard work toward specific career goals. As with any other field, obtaining your degree should be viewed as the beginning of your journey, not the end.
Film Archives/Television production/Animator/Assistant Director/Camera Operator/Casting Director /Cinematographer/Censor Colorizing technician/Independent Filmmaker/Industrial Filmmaker/Producer/Script Supervisor/Screenwriter/Sound Editor/Visual Effects/Dramaturge/Critic/Lighting Technician/Production Assistant/Press Agent/Actor/Drama Coach/Sound & Special Effects/Prop Maker/Scriptwriter/Studio Merchandising/Distribution Company/Personal Assistant/Theater Manager/Film Production Instructor/Casting Assistant/Costume Design/Publicist/Rerecording mixer/Film Director/Story Editor/Talent Representative/Film Editor/Talent Agent/Multimedia Designer/Advertising Creative/Art Director/Teacher/Librarian/Professor