Catherine Rutter is third-year Bachelor of Fine Art student at SETU’s Wexford campus. She completed the EU-CONEXUS micro-credentials titled Introduction to film literacy and filmmaking offered by the University of Zadar.
Opportunity to delve into practical nuances
Catherine has always been fascinated by video as a medium. “By studying Fine Arts with Sculpture as my elective, I had explored different forms of artistic practices (forms of artistic expression), but video was something that intrigued me deeply,” she says. “So, when I discovered the “Introduction to film literacy and filmmaking” micro-credential, I saw it as an opportunity to delve more into the practice, and I jumped at it!”
Taking on extra work is always a balancing act, so I knew I would have to balance the course with my full-time studies. Fortunately, the timing fit perfectly into my schedule, taking place one morning a week. With four small assessments and a final project spaced out over a couple of weeks, it was manageable — even with my full-time studies. I could fit it into my schedule and incorporate the learnings into my existing coursework relatively easily, which made the experience even more rewarding.
Acquiring new skills for personal development
Addressing the aspect of skill development through this micro-credential, Catherine notes that “at first, the idea of mastering a professional editing system felt daunting. But with the lecturer’s guidance, along with recorded lessons that I could rewatch whenever I needed, it made all the difference. My confidence grew, and with each assignment, my editing skills improved. What had once seemed intimidating is now enjoyable. It has already benefitted other aspects of my course.
This experience was valuable in other ways, too. The class brought together students from different backgrounds, disciplines, and countries. Hearing their perspectives and collaborating with them made the course even more engaging and enlightening.”
Finding inspiration to learn and explore further
Would Catherine recommend a micro-credential to other students? Yes — without a doubt. “In fact, I’m already looking for my next one!” she says. “You only get as much out of something as you’re willing to put in, and for me, this was worth the effort.”
For Catherine, the micro-credential has increased her video editing skill, enriching her CV with a valuable, industry-relevant asset. EU-CONEXUS micro-credentials offer a unique opportunity to enhance academic learning, build practical expertise, and stand out in an increasingly competitive job market. Besides, enrolling in micro-credentials highlights students’ ability to take on extra work, juggle competing deadlines, learn independently and demonstrate leadership in their own academic path. These are the skills employers want to see, too.
We encourage every student to explore these courses—whether to complement their studies or broaden their career prospects. To learn more about available courses, visit the catalog of Micro-credential courses here.
