Turning Career Goals into Reality

Jonathan Blake Huer Aims to Help Students Be Employed Before They Graduate

Huer speaks to a class of LBSU journalism and public relations students | photo by Eliza Cana

by Eliza Cana


Jonathan Blake Huer is a force to be reckoned with in the world of technology and education. Huer is an app creator, author, filmmaker, web designer and educator. He is currently the Director of Academic Technology Services at Long Beach State University where he uses his skills to improve the school’s learning and teaching through creative technology. With passion, Huer proudly shares his knowledge via forums, presentations, online-sharing and more to those who wish to be more digitally literate, entrepreneurially spirited and more advanced creative thinkers.  

On Oct. 25th, 2017, Huer visited the JOUR 470: The Digital Public Relations Tool Box class taught by Professor Jennifer Newton to present his expertise on how to successfully build a website. This information came in handy for Journalism and PR students who are working toward creating their own portfolio websites for the final class project, as well as for, real-world job hunting.

By displaying his impeccable work ethic and passion through his presentation, Huer shared much knowledge and motivation among the students of JOUR 470. The Nebraska Project is one of many websites he designed, as well as, his portfolio. The Nebraska Project is a beautifully designed website that draws stories from photographs taken throughout Nebraska from the North East to the South West. Its design flows naturally and displays the extent of creativity that can be achieved in a website. He said that in order to create a successful website or anything at all that requires creativity, students should ask themselves, “What is my process?” He said by following a consistent process, you can reduce uncertainty, reuse agreements and materials, make business aspects easier, and create consistent results. He also gave advice that is not often heard, but seems to work well for him. “Your goal is to be as boring as possible,” said Huer. “Do things over and over and over.” He said that it is our job as creative thinkers to produce consistent results every single time.

 In addition to his advice on web design, Huer points out the importance of being on the same page as one’s client and making sure you are thinking about a single overarching statement that everyone can agree to before beginning a project. He explains that it is important to always remember your purpose behind a project.

Huer’s stacked credentials and experience make him an excellent source for students who want to work creatively. He received his bachelor’s degree in design and media arts from UCLA, his MFA in motion picture producing from USC, his Executive Certificate in strategy and innovation from MIT, and is currently earning his Doctor of Education from Lamar University. Huer carries an impressive number of app-developing experiences up his sleeve from working with Skoolbo, where he designed various apps and lead efforts in many parts of Asia and in Canada.

Huer also wrote a book that he created into an app as well. In his book and app, Be Employed When You Graduate, Huer offers advice and exercises that guide young students to turn dreams into realities. He mentions ways in which students can optimize their college experience to help them land meaningful jobs in today’s market.

Huer is the kind of educator who understands the perspective of a student and is very generous in sharing his knowledge to help them. Many students can learn from him how to become more innovative and entrepreneurial in a competitive job industry after graduation. For students, parents or educators who need guidance or are interested in Huer’s Be Employed When You Graduate, it is available in Kindle, iBooks, iOS, paperback and booksellers everywhere.