Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Hunt.
Caitlin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I got started working in higher education during the recession. I graduated from college with a degree in journalism and communications with a minor in education. It was hard finding a job when I got into the real world, it was very hard. So, I used my network to find a job during a time when jobs were scarce. I had a family member that worked at Kennesaw State that referred me for a position and the rest is history. I’ve worked in higher education now for nearly ten years and it is a very fulfilling career. I tell people all the time that I love what I do because I get to help people achieve their dreams.
I really enjoy working at AIMM because it ties together two things that I love. Higher education paired with media and entertainment. We have some very talented students and it’s amazing to see their growth from the very beginning of their process coming into the program to the point where they graduate and become working professionals in a fun industry.
Has it been a smooth road?
It was not a smooth road. When I started working in higher education, it was during the recession. My first higher ed job was part-time making less than $16,000 a year. It was rough. I honestly don’t even know how I was able to stay afloat. I lived with my grandmother upon my relocation to Georgia, so that eliminated a lot of bills. But, to come out of college to work for pennies on the dollar was a major blow mentally and financially. I think a lot of graduates will go through similar situations if not worse with everything that is going on now with COVID-19.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media story. Tell us more about your work.
I’m the Director of Admissions at the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media. In my capacity, I oversee our Admissions Department. We are a small school that focuses on quality education for individuals that are looking to kickstart a successful career in music and media production. We proudly offer pro-tools certifications for students to be equipped with the skills necessary to be the best at what they do. Students get a hands-on approach with learning in fully equipped production studios and state of the art classrooms.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The industry is constantly changing and we are in an interesting transition right now, but there is still a lot of potential for growth. For higher education in general, in 5-10 years, I can see an increase in online learning–more than what we have seen in recent years. I can also see more students getting into trade schools as opposed to the more traditional college track that we are accustomed to seeing.
The use of technology will be heavily implemented starting from the admissions process through the classroom experiences. Working in admissions is very hands-on, so departments across the world will learn to implement more online resources that still make students feel present, even from far away. The equipment that gets used for our students at AIMM is ever-changing, so I can see sleeker designs being implemented. Even the possibility to work in a studio remotely.
Pricing:
- All Degree Programs (Music Production and Audio for Media or Music & Technology w/ an Instrument Focus) are under $40,000
- Certificate Programs (Music Production or Music & Technology w/ an Instrument Focus) are under $15,000
Contact Info:
- Address: 2875 Breckinridge Boulevard
Suite 700
Duluth, GA 30096 - Website: www.aimm.edu
- Phone: 770-242-7717
- Email: admissions@aimm.edu
- Instagram: @aimmedu
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtlantaInstituteofMusic/
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