Name: Muhammad Ihsan
NIM: 2409010010
In today’s digital era, students of English Literature are no longer limited to traditional career paths such as teaching or academic research. Personally, I see myself pursuing a creative career as a video editor, videographer, or even photographer. Among these, I am particularly interested in video editing because it allows me to combine storytelling, visual aesthetics, and emotional expression into one medium. This choice is also influenced by my personal interest in watching films, where I do not only enjoy the story but also try to understand the cinematography, color grading, and visual composition behind it.
For me, choosing this career is not just about following a trend, but about expressing my identity in the digital world. I see myself as someone who pays attention to details, especially in how a visual story is built. Editing is not only about cutting clips, but also about creating meaning, controlling mood, and delivering messages through visual language. As a student of English Literature, I believe this skill is still relevant because storytelling, interpretation, and understanding context are also part of literary studies. In this sense, my identity in the digital space would be as a creative editor who understands both narrative and visual communication.
In terms of career prospects, the digital era provides many opportunities for this field. The rise of social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube has increased the demand for video content. Many brands, companies, and content creators need editors and videographers to produce engaging and professional content. In addition, freelance and remote work systems allow individuals to work with clients from different countries without being physically present. This means that the opportunity is not only local but also global.
However, the presence of AI and automation also creates challenges. Today, many AI tools can automatically edit videos, generate subtitles, or even suggest transitions and color corrections. This can make basic editing skills less valuable if someone only relies on technical abilities. Despite this, I believe there are still important skills that cannot be replaced by AI. For example, creativity, emotional understanding, storytelling sense, and aesthetic judgment are still human strengths. AI can process data and patterns, but it cannot fully understand the emotional impact of a scene or the cultural meaning behind a visual. This is where human editors still play an important role, especially in creative and narrative-based content.
To stay relevant in this competitive digital environment, I realize that personal branding is very important. I want to be perceived as a creative editor who focuses on storytelling and cinematic visuals. My content will mostly revolve around video editing, cinematography, and behind-the-scenes processes. For example, I can create content about color grading techniques, editing breakdowns of certain scenes, or short cinematic videos that showcase my style.
In terms of platforms, I plan to use Instagram and TikTok as my main distribution channels because they are highly visual and suitable for short-form content. At the same time, I also consider building a personal website as a portfolio to display my best works in a more professional way. Social media can help me gain attention, while the website can function as a more complete representation of my skills and identity.
To start building my portfolio, I will begin with simple projects such as editing short videos, experimenting with color grading, and documenting my learning process. I believe consistency is more important than perfection at the beginning. By regularly uploading my work, I can gradually improve my skills while also building a digital presence. Over time, this portfolio can help me attract potential clients or collaborators.
Finally, before choosing any career, students need to understand themselves first. Self-awareness plays a crucial role in career decision-making. Without understanding our interests, strengths, and values, it is easy to feel lost or follow trends that do not truly match who we are. In my case, my interest in films, cinematography, and visual editing helps me realize that I am more suited to a creative and visual-based career rather than a purely academic one.
Self-awareness also helps us stay consistent and motivated. When we choose a career based on our genuine interests, the process of learning and developing skills becomes more enjoyable and meaningful. In the long term, this will also help us build a more authentic personal branding, because what we show in the digital world truly reflects who we are.
In conclusion, choosing a career as a video editor or videographer is not only relevant in the digital era but also aligned with my personal interests and identity. Although AI brings challenges, it also encourages us to focus on uniquely human skills such as creativity and storytelling. By building a clear personal branding and consistently developing my portfolio, I believe I can stay relevant and grow in this field. Most importantly, understanding myself is the foundation that guides all of these decisions.