University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog

University of Advancing Technology (UAT) Alumnus, Jacob Glass graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Digital Video in 2016. He then embarked on a dynamic career journey that spans from digitizing old home movies to editing an award-winning docuseries at Arizona PBS. His story is a testament to the evolution of media consumption and the adaptability required in today's digital age.

Jacob’s first role post-graduation was at iMemories, where he gained practical experience in video editing: "My job was a scene select editor. I basically sat in a chair on the night shift for eight hours and just watched people's home movies, cut them into chapters, birthday with birthday, wedding with wedding." After a year at iMemories, Jacob transitioned to part-time work with the City of Scottsdale that allowed him to also book freelance gigs: "I used some of my RA experience to get a job in recreation, which kind of allowed me to take other jobs that maybe didn't pay as much in the freelance area."

Jacob's career took a pivotal turn when he joined Arizona PBS in 2020: "After all the instability from COVID and freelancing, I thought an in-house job would be pretty cool. I love PBS, so I applied and luckily got the job." At Arizona PBS, Jacob became instrumental in editing "Black in Arizona," a groundbreaking documentary series exploring the Black experience across the state.  Thoughtfully he describes his involvement, "The project I worked on that we won an Emmy for was called 'Black in Arizona.' It's a six-part series about what it's like being black in Arizona."

The series delves into diverse narratives and perspectives within Arizona's Black community, addressing social issues and personal stories. Jacob's role in editing three out of the five episodes allowed him to contribute creatively while learning about a community he wasn't initially familiar with. Editing "Black in Arizona" presented both challenges and rewards for Jacob: "It was a cool experience being able to learn as I go about an experience that I'm not personally a part of. It was valuable to essentially be a fly on the wall and learn a lot about a community I wasn't a part of." Navigating the complexities of storytelling within a culturally significant context required Jacob's adeptness in narrative structure and visual storytelling, skills honed through his educational background and professional growth.

Reflecting on his education at UAT, Jacob emphasizes the hands-on experience with cameras: "First day, they put a camera in your hands. Having that hands-on experience helped.” Jacob’s journey from UAT to Arizona PBS underscores the transformative power of hands-on education and the hard work and resilience required to succeed in the media industry. His story serves as inspiration for aspiring filmmakers, highlighting the importance of embracing change in pursuit of creative excellence.

Click here to learn more about all of UAT's degree offerings.