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SAIT New Media Production & Design

Practicum

NMPD is a technology-centred program that promotes critical thinking to develop engaging content for modern user experiences and provides comprehensive training in the tools and techniques used for web design and development, graphic design, video production, animation, and other related disciplines. The program emphasizes project­-based and hands-on training, with students working in teams to produce comprehensive and useful media products. Fourth-semester students in the New Media Production & Design program are eager to further their skills and work on real-world projects to help them build their portfolios as they transition out of SAIT and into their careers. 

The New Media Practicum is a work-study program that allows New Media Production & Design (NMPD) students to work in the new media industry to gain real-world experience, a first hand look at how the industry works, and what it takes to be a professional. Our Practicum is part of regular course-work for students in their final semester of study. 96 hours of industry related work are to be completed between January and April. During this Practicum the student is expected to work on a project with an industry professional who acts as their mentor – to gain knowledge, skills, understanding and feedback on their own work as well as the demands of the industry.

Each student will put in a minimum of 96 hours of industry-related work between January and mid-April. The students can work remotely or in your workplace – whatever works best for you both. We would like you to meet with the students in person when you can to discuss their progress.  If there is an opportunity for the student to shadow you or work in your work environment that is a great opportunity for them.

Practicum Requirements

The Role of a Mentor

As a practicum mentor, we would look to you to provide work that the students can assist you with, challenge their skills, and give them a finished product they can add to their portfolio. This work would hopefully be something you are actively working on in your job or a project that you need an extra set of hands-on – or maybe that project you know needs to get done but just haven’t had the time or resources for. The expectation is that you can work with the student during the practicum term to assess their work, provide feedback, share your workflow and tips and tricks, and provide critique to the students to help them improve.

We’ve found that the best practicums are ones where the student has to work on a project that allows them to learn a new skill or work in an area they haven’t explored before (but related to what they want to do post-graduation). For example, maybe you’re using a different piece of software than students are used to or can help them explore new gear, tools or ways of working. This is an unpaid opportunity that is part of their coursework – there is no expectation of payment or compensation for the student during this period.

Mentor Expectations