Specs Howard adds 39 jobs via digital media expansion

Specs Howard School of Media Arts continues to grow with the expanding media landscape that shapes its curriculum, hiring 39 new people in 2010 thanks mostly to its digital media arts classes.

The 41-year-old school has traditionally created careers in broadcast industries, such as radio and TV. It expanded to graphic design in 2008 and the digital media arts (Internet, video, film) last year.

"We think these are the up-and-coming areas," says Lisa Zahodne, president of Specs Howard School of Media Arts. "That's where we saw the growth and continue to see the growth."

The
Southfield-based school plans to continue to expand its curriculum in the digital media arts this year. It has boosted its enrollment to more than 1,000 students this year, up 300-400 people from just a few years ago. The school is on track to add another 10-11 jobs this year to keep up with its rising enrollment.

A new satellite campus opened in Farmington Hills last year. There are plans to expand facilities by a few thousand square feet at both locations, and potentially even beyond Metro Detroit soon.

"We are looking at branches on the west side of the state or possibly another state," Zahodne says. "We haven't decided yet."

Source: Lisa Zahodne, president of Specs Howard School of Media Arts
Writer: Jon Zemke

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