Launch Your Career in Communications
A major in Media Studies will provide you with essential skills in oral, visual and written communications. You will gain proficiency in critical thinking and social media, some of the top skills that employers seek in any career field. The program balances practical media skills with a solid academic path.
Webster's Department of Media Communications recognizes its mission to educate students for citizenship in a society where communication and information are major commodities and the basis of the democratic process. We recognize the complex mosaic of changing career possibilities available in the information environment and prepare students for an employment climate in which the ability to adapt is a fundamental requisite to success.
You will be able to gain valuable work experience through internships, portfolio development, community volunteering and on campus media productions, including the chance to take part in the production of the fully student produced 78 Magazine. The network of Webster campuses will offer you the chance to travel and learn media practices across three continents. With this experience you will begin your transition to professional life as a truly global citizen.
Program Head Francesco Arese Visconti on Why Webster Stands Out
Transcript
[Music]
Text on screen: Webster Geneva Campus Faculty Spotlight
[Professor Francesco Arese Visconti sits in front of glass doors with a view of the sky and a tree, a Webster University, The Geneva Campus standing sign is beside him.]
Text on screen: Francesco Arese Visconti, Director of the Programs of the School of Communications in Geneva
Visconti: Hello, my name is Francesco Arese Visconti. I lead the Media Communications program here at Webster University Geneva. I arrived in 2007, so it's been quite a long time that I've been here at Webster.
Text on screen: Why Webster Geneva Campus?
The reason why students should come to Webster University Geneva is because, for several reasons actually, I would say. First of all, we are in Switzerland, and Switzerland is well known to be quite a safe place. So me being a parent, as well, I would be very eager to and happy to send my kid to study in a safe place.
Second of all, Geneva is so international, even if you're just walking around downtown you might just cross the Head of the UN, just like this. And this also reflects in the population that we have on campus — so very international and very diverse — as well as for the faculty. They are coming from all around the world, they have different kinds of experiences, and they work in different contexts. So it's very exciting for the students to have this kind of experience.
Text on screen: Why should I attend your classes?
I teach visual communication courses. When I say visual communication, of course I think about photography. If you think about social media and how governments, corporations, agencies are communicating with the world, it is very, very much with images. And what I find in these days is that people are not that much aware of their impact in reading images and producing images. So in my courses, I of course, deal with technical aspects in image production, but also in the consumption of images: how they need to be read, what kind of symbols and signs need to be understood by the people, in general — so talking about semiotics, in general. So I think it's very crucial that we create people, they know how to produce and consume images in these days.
Text on screen: Webster Geneva Campus
[Music swells and ends]
Why Study Media in Geneva?
- We have external collaborations (previous projects gave students exposure to the Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights, the Green Cross, CERN and TEDx).
- Geneva is the European headquarters for the United Nations and many multinational companies, as well as home to the CERN. Media and communications are vital to these institutions and storytelling is an important part of this because it influences opinions and the way people see the world (in traditional journalism but especially through social media).
- Studying in Geneva will offer students the chance to learn about the importance of media communication as it pertains to global advocacy at an institutional and international level.
Bachelor Programs in Media Studies
In this program, students explore the design, delivery and effects of media messages in a range of communication fields and across multiple communication platforms. Media Studies majors approach media from both academic and practical standpoints, and develop diverse professional portfolios and skills integral to a variety of media careers.
Programs available in Geneva (links to external catalog):
Minor in Games and Game Design
Minor in Media Studies
Minor in Photography
The program has a mandatory internship component enabling students to gain experience which is valuable for shaping their career goals and for entering the job market after graduation.
A large number of the internships Webster sees offered in Geneva are communications-related internships — both internal and external communications. Over 50% of Webster bachelor students in Geneva pursue an internship during or immediately after their studies. See Career Services for more info about internship opportunities.
Additionally, entry-level jobs in many types of positions involve communications, so having this academic background and skill set helps graduates to launch their careers.
After leaving Webster, graduates from the Media Studies, Photography and Game Design department have launched careers in the creative arts, positions in the corporate world, or further graduate studies. Examples include:
Jobs with a BA in Media Studies
- Digital Marketer
- Media Buyer
- Media Planner
- Media Researcher
- Public Relations Officer
- Runner, Broadcasting/Film/Video
- Social Media Manager
- Television/Film/Video Producer
- Web Content Manager
- Advertising Account Executive
- Broadcast Journalist
- Editorial Assistant
- Event Manager
- Film Director
- Magazine Journalist
- Marketing Executive
- Writer
Jobs with a BA in Media Studies in combination with a Minor in Photography
- Photo Editor
- Photographer
- Photojournalist
- Videographer
- Art Director
- Advertising Art Director
- Magazine Feature Editor
- Media Planner
- Digital Marketer
- Museum/Gallery Curator
- Stylist
- Visual Merchandiser
- Web Content Manager
- Web Content Designer
- Web Content Producer
Jobs with a BA in Media Studies in combination with a Minor in Games and Game Design
- Game Designer
- QA Engineer/Playtester
- XR Developer
- Game Programmer
- Level Designer
- 3D Artist
- Virtual Production Engineer
- Animator
- Narrative Designer for Games
- Serious Games Designer
- Game Producer
Pursue Media Studies at Webster in Switzerland
- Course options include Digital Media Design and Production, Magazine Production, Journalism, Photojournalism and Editorial Photography.
- Emphasis on storytelling (writing, visuals, traditional and new media channels), which is how media influences in contemporary times.
- A hands-on program, with a perfect blend of production courses and theory courses.
- Gives an understanding of the fast-changing media landscape and its impact on society.
- Taught by profs as well as local working professionals.
- Takes a critical thinking approach (with research methods taught in classes).
- An internship or thesis is built into the program.
- Small classes, with a personalized learning model and outstanding professors (one of our faculty has been granted the Kemper Award: Excellence in Teaching).
Alumni Testimonial - Sherif Mamdouh
Alumni Testimonial - Sherif Mamdouh
Sherif Mamdouh graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Management and a Minor in Media and Communications. Mamdouh’s career began in banking, and later pivoted into communications, working in reputation management, media sales and corporate communication.
Mamdouh founded Pulsar Media in 2022, focused on PR consultancy, reputation management and AI communications.
Transcript
[Instrumental music starts and plays in background softly.]
Text on screen: Webster Geneva Campus logo, Alumni Testimonials
[Webster Geneva Campus, trees and city from the air.]
Text on screen: Sherif Mamdouh
[Mamdouh sits inside at the Webster Geneva Campus at a table near lighted windows showing foliage outside.]
Mamdouh: My name is Sherif Mamdouh, and I am Egyptian, raised in Switzerland in Geneva. I graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor in Management and a minor in Media and Communications.
Text on screen: How Webster helped you build your career?
[Webster Geneva Campus buildings in the background.]
Mamdouh: I remember really appreciating my interactions with the professors when I was at Webster. It was engaging. I actually took a lot of pleasure in challenging the professors, and they were always up for the challenge. There were a lot of back-and-forth discussions, and a lot of real-life industry knowledge also was brought into the classroom, which was very valuable.
Text on screen: What was your most memorable experience?
[Webster Geneva Campus buildings in the background.]
Mamdouh: In the classroom, I remember heated debates. Everything was always up for discussion and debate. It really helped us develop critical thinking skills, that was great, and something I saw in many different classes. I really think it’s part of the Webster culture, or at least it was back then. And campus life. I have very fond memories of being on campus in the springtime, studying outside. I remember the ping pong table in the Living Center was a high point of many exciting meetings, as well.
Text on screen: What do you feel to be back on campus today?
[Webster Geneva Campus buildings in the background.]
Mamdouh: I haven’t been back in quite a few years, and it feels great to be here. It’s still as peaceful as it used to be. A lot of memories come back rushing — it’s a great feeling to be here.
Text on screen: How was your journey after graduation?
[Webster Geneva Campus buildings in the background.]
Mamdouh: When I graduated from Webster, straight away I got a job in banking, where I stayed for a few years. I realized it wasn’t fulfilling me, so I switched from banking and went into communications. I always remembered that I minored in Media and Communications, so that was something I was quite interested in. I worked several jobs in agencies, did reputation management, also did media sales quite a lot, and then I got into corporate communications, where I worked for a few years as head of external communications for EHL. Then, I went back to banking as head of media relations for a private bank. And finally, for the past few years, I’ve been heading my own company, Pulsar Media, where I do PR consultancy and reputation management. And most recently, just launched a Swiss AI tool specialized in communication.
Text on screen: What advice would you give to students?
[Webster Geneva Campus buildings in the background.]
Mamdouh: My recommendation to Webster students, and any students anywhere in the world for that matter, is this: You can go to excellent schools like Webster, but a school is only as good as you’ll make it. So just make the most of it, because these years are precious. And the second very important advice is that once you step out the door with your diploma, your learning journey is not finished — it’s actually just beginning. And today, learning is a lifelong journey. Thank you.
Text on screen: Webster Geneva Campus logo
[Instrumental music swells and ends.]
Request More Information
Loading...