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"SFU’s Centre for Digital Media offered the perfect mix of coursework and client-based projects, enabling me to directly apply my learnings."
Mary Wilson
Digital Media master's student in the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology
Hey there, my name is Mary Wilson. I’m a pun-loving user experience designer from Australia, currently working on a master koalification in digital media. My career journey started with an undergraduate degree in business management from the University of Queensland. The advertising, philosophy, and media courses inspired my later pursuit of a more creative, design-based career. After graduation, I booked a one way ticket to Vancouver, worked a finance job for a few years, and switched to user experience (UX) design.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?
After working in UX for a few years, I learned how quickly the tech landscape changes and evolves. I recognized I was not as adaptable as I could be, so I decided to upskill to stay comfortable with this constant change. SFU’s Centre for Digital Media offered the perfect mix of coursework and client-based projects, enabling me to directly apply my learnings. I was excited for the opportunity to refine my time management abilities, learn more about effective collaboration in the tech industry, and further my knowledge of design. This program was the perfect toolkit to stay relevant in the tech industry.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?
Excuse the acronyms: CDM’s MDM program was founded by four major partner institutions, SFU, UBC, BCIT, and Emily Carr. Students come to the program with a strong background in a particular field. I came to the program with UX design as my main focus. The master in digital media program involves a healthy mix of client-facing projects and coursework. Each term, students are placed in a different multidisciplinary group to work with a client on a difficult problem. The coursework compliments these problem-solving projects, enabling students to directly apply their learnings in practice under the careful guidance of skilled supervisors.
WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?
The program has given me the freedom to explore new interests, refine my technical and soft skills, build industry connections, establish close friendships, and effectively collaborate in multidisciplinary teams. Working on real world projects with skilled mentors and like-minded peers fostered confidence in my chosen career. I look forward to applying these new skills to real world projects.
HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONES AND A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THE AWARDS HAVE IMPACTED YOUR STUDIES AND/OR RESEARCH.
I am grateful to have received the McLean Greaves Graduate Memorial Award in Digital Media. Receiving this award helped me to focus more on my industry projects, coursework, and develop stronger connections with my peers and mentors.
Contact : mary_wilson_3@sfu.ca