Spotlight on NextThought

Tell us a little about what you do in your current role at NextThought.

I am the head of video at NextThought. In a nutshell, I'm responsible for every video from start to completion. I assist in sales consultation and budget creation, client relationship and retention and project logistics and implementation. I also manage the staff and equipment and facilities.

What did you study in Gaylord College?

I graduated with a bachelor's in broadcasting and electronic media in 2013 and got my master's in 2015.

How do you feel like your Gaylord degree has helped you in your current role?

Relationships! Some of my very best friends are now my coworkers, my instructors are now my colleagues, my college romance is now my husband. They say it's all in who you know, and I've learned that through and through. I am where I am today because of the relationships I built during my time at Gaylord. Gaylord also allowed me to experiment. I didn't have to know what I wanted, rather I could play around with everything until I discovered the thing that clicked. I was able to work in the real world, with real clients and with real money. It was never just a school project, there was always skin in the game.

What’s one thing you’d like current Gaylord students and other alumni to know about the importance of their degree?

You get out what you put in. Just because a course isn't required doesn't mean you shouldn't take it - don't take the easy way out. Challenge yourself: make a short film for fun, do a 24-hour film festival, study abroad, direct OU Nightly even though you aren't interested in news, volunteer for Gaylord Hall Productions, take a drama class just for fun. I promise you will not regret it. It's hard in the moment and it doesn't necessarily benefit your diploma, but the experience and the lessons learned will be so, so worth it.

Tell us a little about what you do in your current role at NextThought.

I am the creative director at NextThought Studios. I oversee the scriptwriting and storyboarding during the preproduction process and also oversee the post-production and execution of our video content.

What did you study in Gaylord College?

Broadcasting (bachelor's) and broadcasting management (master's)

How do you feel like your Gaylord degree has helped you in your current role?

The Gaylord degree and experience were absolutely vital in landing this job and growing in my position. I've kept strong ties to the university as an adjunct professor and collaborator on many projects for the university.

What’s one thing you’d like current Gaylord students and other alumni to know about the importance of their degree?

Use your time wisely. Be experimental. Show a diversity in skill and ability. And above all else, get involved with the professors and other extracurricular activities. Apprenticeships are extremely valuable, and the degree is a tremendous groundwork for polishing your proficiencies.

Tell us a little about what you do in your current role at NextThought.

I work at NextThought as a motion graphics artists and editor, as well as art director within the video team.

I work with the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, primarily in After Effects and Premiere Pro with a little sprinkle of Illustrator and Photoshop when the need arises. It’s a healthy spring mix of creative skillsets that brings a little bit of spice to each day. My work is very diverse including motion typography, character design and rigging, mood-boards and concepting, to sound design and even music production.

We at NextThought are education specialists and much of our clientele comes from that industry. But that may be broader that you think at first glance. Our products run the gamut from highly technical videos for encyclopedias and higher education, to fun explainer videos full of poppy text animation and goggly-eyed bison. With such range, we keep our minds sharp and our skills sharper.

What did you study in Gaylord College?

I studied video production. Back then the program was called “broadcasting and electronic media” - though it’s since evolved both in name and curriculum. I stuck closely to the video track, learning the basics of camera operation, filming, editing, post-production and even live production. It was a diverse program that let me dabble into so many sub-areas of this industry while laying a practical foundation for so many important skills I still rely on. I eagerly accepted every opportunity to assist professor Scott Hodgson with his weather documentary and developed as a professional under his guidance.

How do you feel like your Gaylord degree has helped you in your current role?

I never could have imagined the scope of this industry. No matter the size of the production, the number of people involved and the jobs they do are astoundingly prolific. My degree from Gaylord College let me experience this breadth and provided me with a solid, professional skill set. I got to learn about many fields, try on many hats and ultimately find the profession that was right for me. I think this degree molded me into the professional I am today.

What’s one thing you’d like current Gaylord students and other alumni to know about the importance of their degree?

I suppose this is more for current Gaylord students. Gaylord College is made up of so many talented people who want to share their knowledge. The facilities and equipment are there for you too. So with so much available, I want to encourage everyone to really take advantage of the resources and help at your disposal. It’s up to you to make your experience indispensable to your future. 

Tell us a little about what you do in your current role at NextThought.

I'm a video editor and animator for NextThought Studios.

What did you study in Gaylord College?

Creative media production, working with Scott Hodgson on advertising, public service and documentary projects

How do you feel like your Gaylord degree has helped you in your current role?

Gaylord helped me find my job with NextThought before I had even finished my degree. The skillset I was trained in has helped me in my abilities to create engaging and informational video content that fits the needs of our clients, and there was also off-curriculum that strengthened my abilities to plan projects and collaborate with other people.

What’s one thing you’d like current Gaylord students and other alumni to know about the importance of their degree?

Your education does not end when you are handed your diploma. I am still constantly learning new skills, honing my abilities and finding new ways to solve problems in my professional career. Always being open to exploring new ways to approach your upcoming projects and seeking out ways to continue growing as a media professional are extremely valuable, and the degree is a tremendous groundwork for polishing your proficiencies.

Tell us a little about what you do in your current role at NextThought.

I am the head of sales and responsible for all revenue at NextThought. My role consists of meeting with clients, ideation/problem solving and contract/budget negotiations. Overall, I sit down with an organization, understand their pain points and then point them toward services/solutions that we have. I like to think of myself as much more of a consultant and being honest with my clients to help them achieve their goals.

What did you study in Gaylord College?

My undergrad was in broadcasting electronic media with an emphasis on corporate media production. I also have an undergrad in marketing from the Price School of Business. My college life consisted of learning how to create client-focused creative video, while understanding the motivators behind the client’s decision to buy. Gaylord College provided me with such hands-on practical experience that has allowed me to thrive in the real world of corporate business.

How do you feel like your Gaylord degree has helped you in your current role?

My Gaylord degree has equipped me with the technical and logistical knowledge of video production to be able to sell it to organizations that need it, while also providing me the practical experience to even be able to deliver the sold product. The end-to-end understanding of the video world has allowed me to thrive in client-facing video production projects.

What’s one thing you’d like current Gaylord students and other alumni to know about the importance of their degree?

My degree from Gaylord was the springboard of legitimacy I needed to discuss video production with real business owners. The degree will put you in a position to be able to call yourself a subject matter expert and allow you to meet the basic requirements of job qualifications. Overall, it is a must to finish your degree in order to be in a position to find your perfect role in the industry.