This summer, Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) students are stepping behind the microphone, in front of the camera, and into the world of digital storytelling through hands-on College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) media camps that are helping students discover new talents while building confidence and career-ready skills.

Led by media educator Brianna Harris, the camps include a three-week CCTE media program for middle school students and a one-week podcast camp offered through a collaboration between CCTE and the Department of Exceptional Education (DEE). While each experience serves a different group of students, both are designed to introduce participants to podcasting, photography, graphic design, video production, and audio editing while helping them build confidence and explore future career pathways.

Throughout the camps, students develop podcast concepts, design cover art, create promotional videos, record and edit audio, and gain experience using professional media equipment and software. While the camps center around creating an original podcast, students quickly learn that successful storytelling requires a variety of creative and technical skills.

For Harris, however, the most important outcome isn't the finished podcast; it's the growth she sees in students throughout the process. "The biggest thing for me is confidence," she said. “I want students to feel like they can do it first. Before I start giving notes, edits, or suggestions, I want them to believe they're capable.”

That philosophy guided both summer programs, but Harris said it was especially powerful during the week-long DEE collaboration, which brought together students from schools across the district who may not otherwise have access to media programming. Through hands-on projects and individualized support, students were able to explore their creativity, develop technical skills, and discover new interests. Harris was supported throughout the week by Southwind High School audiovisual teacher Matthew Jordan, who helped provide students with access to professional media resources and learning experiences.

The podcast camp was one of several CCTE experiences offered this summer in partnership with the Department of Exceptional Education at Southwind. Students also had the opportunity to participate in a cosmetology camp led by Traci Weeks and a culinary arts camp led by Cassandra Jones, expanding access to hands-on career exploration across multiple fields.

While the DEE collaboration provided a unique opportunity for students in Exceptional Education, Harris is spending the remainder of the summer leading a three-week CCTE media camp where middle school students are exploring podcasting, content creation, and digital storytelling. 

Across both camps, students were encouraged to take ownership of their work, choosing their own podcast topics, and learning how to bring their ideas to life. Some students created podcasts focused on music and pop culture, while others explored personal interests and hobbies. Along the way, they learned photography techniques, designed graphics, practiced interviewing, and even visited Southwind’s media studio to experience what it feels like to work in a professional production environment.

The impact extended far beyond the classroom. One student was so inspired by the experience that his family purchased podcast equipment so he could continue creating content at home. Another discovered a talent for broadcasting and on-air communication. For Harris, those moments reinforce the importance of providing students with opportunities to explore creative fields and uncover strengths they may not realize they possess. "Working with these students, you really get to see their gifts and talents," she said. “Sometimes all they need is an opportunity to show what they're capable of doing.”

Both media camps reflect a broader goal of CCTE programming: helping students connect their interests to future opportunities. While some participants may pursue careers in media, communications, or digital content creation, Harris emphasizes that the skills students develop through the program are valuable regardless of the path they choose. She also believes it is important for students to understand that meaningful creative careers can be built right here in Memphis.

"A lot of talented young people feel like they need to move to places like Atlanta, Los Angeles, or Dallas to make their dreams happen," Harris said. “I want students to know they can receive quality training, build skills, and create opportunities right here in Memphis.”

From communication and collaboration to critical thinking, research, and digital literacy, students leave with skills that can support success in nearly any profession. Harris regularly shares examples of former students who have turned their creative skills into freelance opportunities, social media management roles, and paid content creation work before even graduating from high school.

"I want students to understand that these are skills people will always need," she said. “Whether you become a doctor, a business owner, a teacher, or an engineer, being able to communicate, tell a story, and create content can open doors.”

The media camps are one example of how MSCS continues to create innovative learning experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom settings. By bringing students together from schools across the district, the programs provide access to opportunities that may not exist at every campus while helping students build relationships, discover new interests, and gain exposure to career pathways they may never have considered.

For Harris, the success of the program demonstrates what is possible when students are given space to explore their interests and develop their talents in a supportive environment. "There is so much untapped talent in our schools," she said. “When students are given opportunities to create, explore, and build confidence, you start to see what's possible.”

Through programs like these CCTE camps, MSCS is helping students find their voice, discover their potential, and envision new possibilities for their future, while showing them that those possibilities can begin right here in Memphis.