Derahn Shields ’08

Film & Media Arts

Biography

My name is Derahn Shields, and I graduated from Taylor in 2008 with my Bachelor's Degree in what was then called Media Communication with an emphasis in Production. Immediately after my final year at Taylor I found a roommate just outside of campus where I completed my final credits online. About 3 months passed and I ended up getting a call from the TV News station that I interned at the summer between my junior and senior years. They offered me a position in their Production department. I accepted and began working there in September of 2012. I started off floor directing and would later be trained on their Chyron graphics system. Long story short I would cross-train in running audio for newscasts as well as Master Control Operation. Most of those positions, though, were part time and I began seeking a full time position and eventually became a photographer for the same station. I would go out with reporters (and sometimes on my own) for all types of stories; from court cases to weather, accidents, etc. Over time I realized that while I liked being able to utilize my education via shooting and editing video, but I felt a little stifled creatively in a news environment. In January 2022 I began working for a school district in their Communication & Development department as a Communication & Marketing Assistant. We promote different educational programs and events, and my role typically consists of video, photography and graphic design. This position is a good fit for me at the moment, and my experiences at Taylor paved the way for me to be where I am now.

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

I feel like our final project in "Multi-Camera Live Production" gave me some especially valuable experience. It gave me a glimpse into what a legitimate studio production looks like and some of the things that happen behind-the-scenes. Little did I know that I'd find myself in a very similar atmosphere working for a news station in a studio and control room.

How did your classes or interactions with professors at Taylor impact your growth?

My professors had a wealth of knowledge and experience that I wish I could have access to in present day. They did everything they could to provide us with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

How can Taylor graduates use their unique Taylor education and its liberal arts foundational core as an asset in your discipline?

I think that there's an advantage to some of the concepts that are prevalent on a campus like Taylor's whether it be compassion, forgiveness, etc. Those intangibles bring a unique lens to the projects I find myself delving into, and even the way I interact with colleagues.

What advice or encouragement could you provide for Taylor students in your vocational discipline?

Look into good internship programs, seeing as I ended up getting my first job after college at the news station I interned for. I would just say be as creatively original as possible.