NMI Students and staff pose with UGA alumnus Eric Baker (center) in front of the Gringotts Bank at the Universal Hollywood Studios park. (Elisa Fontanillas/UGA)

The New Media Institute’s Professional Friday Initiative is going the distance, literally. In their second out-of-state site visit, the NMI invited its students – both undergraduate certificate seekers and Emerging Media Masters professionals – to join them on a trip down to Florida to explore how their studies in digital and technological experiences can be put to use with real-life projects and companies.

Students were given the opportunity to go behind the scenes at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and EPCOT, network with industry professionals, learn about career paths, and experience the magic firsthand. After connecting with and learning from Disney Imagineers, students also reunited with NMC Alumna and NMI Advisory Council member Aniyah Norman, who works as a Disney Software Engineer. 

The following day at Universal Studios, Grady alum Eric Baker, Senior Creative Designer behind Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World, gave the group insight into design decisions across the parks, then joined other Universal Creative employees for a more in-depth panel.

“Getting to talk with these industry professionals and walking through the park, seeing the projects they have worked on, it showcased the breadth of opportunities that a theme park can offer,” said Hope Thornton, an Emerging Media master’s student. “It underscores the value of diverse skills and having various passions—those can lead to where these professionals are.”

To learn more about the New Media Institute’s trip and other opportunities, visit UGA Today’s article or follow the NMI on Facebook.

Online Engagement

The NMI’s Master of Arts (M.A.) in Journalism & Mass Communication – Emerging Media program is now offered 100% online, though students are offered the opportunity to come together with faculty and peers on site visits across the country throughout the semester. 

Aside from being a chance for online students to engage with their online coursework in person, these site visits are also kept as low-cost and convenient as possible, so that students from all backgrounds can attend. In addition to funding from the NMI, donor support has enabled trips to expand.

The NMI offers a number of online resources for prospective students, including Drop-In Advising Hours every Wednesday from 11:30AM to 1:30PM on Zoom. More information is available on their resources page.

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