Contact Al Larsen, Program Coordinator
Email: alarsen@champlain.edu
Phone: 802.865.5467
Contact Al Larsen, Program Coordinator
Email: alarsen@champlain.edu
Phone: 802.865.5467
Emma Worthge on Internships, Improv Comedy, and Travel Courses
Division
Communication & Creative Media
Major
Creative Media
Primary Specialization
Creative Writing
Minor
Social Justice
Hometown
San Mateo, California
Pronouns
She/Her
Internship
Social Media & Event Management Intern at Vermont Womenpreneurs
Favorite Class
Aesthetic Expressions: Jordan
”I already have the experience that's necessary to work in the field, which is miles above other people.
Have you had any internships during your time at Champlain?
I was the Social Media and Event Management Intern for Vermont Womenpreneurs in Burlington, Vermont. I assisted with creating social media posts and campaigns. I
also scheduled events for the company, culminating in a storytelling showcase at the end of November.My friends at other schools haven't even thought about applying to internships yet, so already having completed one definitely puts me at an advantage. I notice that when I am applying for jobs, interviewers are really impressed with how much work I have done this far in my school career. I already have the experience that's necessary to work in the field, which is miles above other people.
What extracurricular activities are you involved in?
I'm a member of Los Dormant Volcanoes, Champlain's improv comedy troupe. Improv comedy is a big part of my life and something that I love. I was super excited when I heard we had a team at Champlain. I auditioned during my first year, and have loved the family that we've built along the way. We practice by playing games and perform every few months for the Champlain community.
My favorite part is hearing people laugh at the jokes I make on stage. It makes me feel like I'm a part of something really special.
What is your favorite class you’ve taken at Champlain?
My favorite class at Champlain was Aesthetic Expressions: Jordan. We learned about Jordanian culture, art, music and architecture throughout the whole semester, and then travelled to Jordan over Thanksgiving Break. We visited all the places we learned about, swam in the Dead Sea, rode camels through the Wadi Rum Desert, stayed at a Bedouin camp, and ate the best food in the world.
Danni Petrilak on Creative Writing, Core Classes, and Extracurriculars
Division
Communication & Creative Media
Major
Creative Media
Specializations
Creative Writing, Game Media, and Moving Image
Hometown
Fleetville, Pennsylvania
Pronouns
She/Her
Internship
Technical Intern at Lakeside EMC
Favorite Class
Intermediate Creative Writing
”Core has opened my eyes to a number of things about myself, the community, and the world.
What do you like about your major?
I like the flexibility of Creative Media. With a focus and two complementary sections, I really get a taste for every possible artistic class offered on campus. My creative writing classes have been my favorite, since creative writing is what I enjoy the most. Jim Ellefson is my favorite professor, and I would recommend taking Jim's classes for anyone who likes creative writing. He helped so much with the process of editing and publications and even pushed me to submit my work and eventually get published my second year.
How has Core impacted your education?
Core has opened my eyes to a number of things about myself, the community, and the world. My favorite experience was when my second year scientific revelations class, focused on the X-Files, created a research project focused on paranormal activity around Vermont. My group got the opportunity to travel to Norwich University and interview the Paranormal Society. We listened to audio, video, and picture files from their investigations around the northeast.
What extracurricular activities are you involved in?
I ski, play on the CCE esports team for Rainbow 6, and am involved with Willard & Maple, Champlain's student-run literary magazine.
Anthony Mahon on Creative Media, Switching Majors, and Studying Abroad
Division
Communication & Creative Media
Major
Creative Media
Primary Specialization
Sonic Arts
Complementary Specializations
Creative Writing and Moving Image
Hometown
Windsor, CT
Pronouns
he/him
Studied Abroad
Dublin, Ireland
Internships
On-Air Talent at Hall Communications in Burlington, VT
Post-Grad Job
Account Manager at Scout Digital in Burlington, VT
”Ever since I declared my Sonic Arts specialization, I have been doing music production and voice-overs, and I've been on the radio, which is crazy to think about. There's really an endless realm of possibilities to explore.
What do you love about being a Creative Media major?
I love that I don't have to be stuck doing one thing. In Creative Media, you declare a primary specialization—mine is Sonic Arts—and two complementary specializations; mine are Creative Writing and Moving Image. I switched from the Broadcast Media Production major, so the Moving Image specialization let me keep those credits, and I was already doing a lot of writing for fun, so I also chose Creative Writing. Ever since I declared my Sonic Arts specialization, I have been doing music production and voice-overs, and I've been on the radio, which is crazy to think about. There's really an endless realm of possibilities to explore.
Can you tell us about switching majors?
I realized that working with the video camera wasn't for me, but I still loved editing, and I loved working with audio. So I talked to my Broadcast Faculty Advisor and the Creative Media Faculty Advisor, and based on their guidance, I decided to try Creative Media. It ended up being a perfect fit.
How was your study abroad experience?
I studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland, and it was my best semester at Champlain. If you had asked me a year beforehand, I did not want to study abroad at all. I was petrified to leave Connecticut for college, so leaving the country was a huge jump for me. But my cousin convinced me, so I went. I did an internship with a podcast called The Igniter Series, where we talked to entrepreneurs about turning an idea into a business. I also learned a lot about Irish literature, Irish art, and Irish writing, which helped me get a global perspective I wouldn't have gotten, if I'd let my fears keep me from going abroad.
Maggie DeCapua on Choosing Her Specializations, Building Her Portfolio, and the Burlington Art Scene
Division
Communication & Creative Media
Major
Creative Media
Primary Specialization
Creative Writing
Complementary Specializations
Game Design and Visual Art
Minor
Public Relations
Hometown
Stratford, CT
Pronouns
she/her
Studied Abroad
Montreal, Canada
Post-Grad Job
Director of Development at Rad Magpie in Burlington, VT
”I'm able to study everything I'm interested in, and I get to bring them all together in my coursework.
What's the best part of being a Creative Media major?
I was able to pick three different specializations: Creative Writing, Game Design, and Visual Art. In addition to that, I also have a minor in Public Relations. My interests are all over the board, which has been complemented by the curriculum here at Champlain. I'm able to study everything I'm interested in, and I get to bring it all together in my coursework.
The Creative Media major is really unique in that you get to pick the specializations that you are really passionate about. It's definitely not the sort of program where you're restricted to just one thing.
How has Champlain prepared you for the professional world?
Within the Creative Media major, there are a lot of specific classes where you work on your portfolio and professional development. That has been one of the most beneficial facets of the Creative Media major for me. It helped me to collect my art and my work into a presentable, professional portfolio. Creative Media classes helped me to clearly understand how my work can be applicable to a career.
What is your favorite thing about living in Burlington, Vermont?
I think the arts community in Burlington is truly unparalleled. I come from a place where there isn't a whole lot of artist engagement in the community, so coming to Burlington, where there are art galleries I can visit, is amazing. There are also events like the South End Art Hop, which provides opportunities to network with local artists. It's really empowering for me, knowing that there's so much out there, even within my own community.
I also love to visit the different coffee shops in Burlington. I know that's a weird favorite thing because there are coffee shops everywhere, but here in Burlington they have their own vibe. It's great to go and study in a coffee shop, and there are so many options.