Ahmad Kareh

As digital branding continues to grow, social media and online customer interaction are becoming core skills that employers are expecting from marketers. The marketer today also assumes the roles of the blogger, the graphic designer, and the social media expert in a company. With the control of the brand shifting to the consumer, it is increasingly important for marketing professionals to find a new approach to communicating in the digital age. The field is constantly growing and there is a need to prepare students with the skills that will give them a well-rounded background to succeed in the digital marketing industry. This Digital Marketing Certificate launched in Spring 2017.

I worked closely with students, our program advisory committee and with different departments within SLCC to develop a certificate of digital marketing. The Certificate of Proficiency in Digital Marketing combines principles from marketing, design, and writing to prepare students for an innovative marketing role relevant in today’s rapidly shifting marketplace.

Students will be required to complete intro to marketing and digital marketing to get a solid foundation for a marketing certificate. They will take an english composition course that is geared towards technical or professional writing. Design courses are also a part of the certification to allow students to understand design elements related to digital marketing. Courses included in the design category are Intro to Photography, Design, InDesign Software, Photoshop Software/Design, Illustrator Software, Beginning Film Production, and Digital Media Tools/ Techniques for film.