Communiqué
School technology director uses WOUB experience to livestream events
< < Back toNick Parsons graduated from Ohio University in 2006 and 2008
ATHENS, OH – Growing up in McConnelsville in Morgan County, Nick Parsons had no idea he’d end up working in technology in California. He credits it all to the hands-on experience he got working at WOUB Public Media. Parsons earned two degrees from Ohio University; a bachelor’s in video production in 2006 and a master’s in computer education and technology in 2008.
“I worked as a student at WOUB as an undergraduate and then as a professional staff member as a graduate student,” said Parsons. “Even though I decided not to pursue a career in video production, all the skills I learned working at WOUB are skills I still use every single day.”
After graduating with his master’s degree, Parsons moved to Cincinnati to work as a Creative and then was promoted to a Genius at Apple. After two years, a friend from Ohio University alerted Parsons to a position available as a school technology director in California.
“I did an interview on Skype in 2010, and they offered me the job,” said Parsons. “I decided to just do something crazy and move to the west coast. I’ve changed schools a few times since then, but I love being here.”
Parsons has been the Director of Technology at Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles, California since 2017. With school closing and remote learning, the pandemic has been challenging for Parsons. But the skills he learned at WOUB have come in handy.
“I literally do everything from classroom technology to managing the building’s IT infrastructure. I have been supporting a staff of 50 teachers while they were doing full-time online learning,” said Parsons. “But oddly enough, I also do a lot a video production, shooting, editing and livestreaming. Since I work at a private school, recruiting is a huge deal. With no in person events, they asked me to create virtual and hybrid events. I have never been busier as a video editor than in the last year.”
Parsons also took on a side job during the pandemic, when he realized that his background in video production and technology were needed by a local synagogue to livestream their services.
“During the Jewish High Holiday season, they are only allowing about 150 people in the building. On the livestream, we average about 3000 people each service. It’s an eight-camera production, and I direct and produce it,” said Parsons. “It was the hands-on experience I got at WOUB that prepared me to do this. People ask me ‘Where did you learn to do this?’ and my answer is ‘PBS.’ It’s all because of my training and education from WOUB.”