DISCLAIMER This publication is intended as a guide only. The information contained in this document was correct at the time of publication, July 2011. Copyright Š UTS Careers Service 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED No parts of this booklet may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior permission of UTS Careers Service.
mapping your career
2 011
What you need to know to get into the Media Arts industries
Ackn owle d g e m e nts This product was produced with assistance from the Australian Government Department of Education,Employment and Workplace Relation (DEEWR) under the Scholarships for Career Advisors program. The UTS Careers Service would like to acknowledge the contribution made by the Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA) as the project’s industry partner. 1 M / A / P UTS
We would also like to thank the following for their assistance and advice: Graham Sciberras – Research, Data Collation and Production Joanna Grygierczyk – Design and Layout Malcolm McKenzie Julieanne O’Hara Esita Sogotub
CONTENTS
Job-Seeker St r at e g i e s
3
Networking
5
Te c h n i c a l S k i l l s
7
Non -technical Skills
8
Work Experience
9
P r e s e n t i n g Yo u r Production Work
11
Th e I n t e rv i e w
13
Entry- Level Positions
15
A dva n c e m e n t Opportunities
16
I n d u s t ry Ev e n t s
17
Academic Record
19
Current & Future I n d u s t ry Tr e n d s
21
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Job-seeker resources
“I’d love it if graduates didn’t just go to a recruiter and say ‘oh well , find me a job’. I’d like them to be proactive because with the Internet it’s so easy to research and do your own job hunting. You don’t really need someone else to do it for you." There are many ways to find a job in the media arts industries and no particular method guarantees success. Employers agree the best strategies involve making direct contact with companies or professionals and nominated the following job-seeker strategies as the most successful: 1. Internships 2. Industry Events/Networking 3. Professional Association and Job Vacancies Websites 4. Company Websites Remember, the more strategies you take on, the higher your chances of getting a foot in the door. Many companies willingly offer internship opportunities for uni students which not only provide valuable practical experience but can also lead to a paid position. Over the past few years more
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and more job vacancy websites specific to the media arts industries have emerged. Visit and register with these sites - it could be the first step in a long and rewarding media arts career: Arts Hub www.artshub.com.au DLF (Digital Labourers Federation) www.dlf.org.au The Loop www.theloop.com.au Pedestrian.tv www.pedestrian.tv Some of these sites also give you the chance to upload your own personal profile, production portfolio and CV. For some employers, this is the first place they head to when a position becomes available, even before placing an ad! If they think you might be the right person for the job or want to know more about you, they can use the information you’ve provided to contact you directly. Media arts graduates themselves agree that networking, peerreferral and word-of-mouth are among the best job-seeker strategies that you can use when it comes time to landing that first industry position
“I think the media arts industries are incredibly tough and competitive. I think word of mouth is really important. I think if you are unemployed energy creates energy so to a point it’s good to volunteer or to get experience”
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Anna Zhu
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Networking
"Talking to students within your own environment and students or lecturers outside of your own specific environment Is a good thing. To share opportunities and experiences might open another door that yoU hadn’t thought of". It’s no secret that networking is an important part of a successful media arts career, but how is it done? Talk to your lecturers and your university’s Careers Service about where you think you’re headed professionally, what you’re into and what projects you’re working on the moment. After graduating, your automatic membership to your uni’s alumni association ensures you’re connected to potentially hundreds of other graduates, academics and industry professionals. Find out if your uni faculty produces a regular newsletter - it’s likely to be a great source of industry news and events.
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Many industry associations regularly advertise industry events as well. These happen all year round and there’s bound to be one or two that interest you. Broaden your network by registering at the following websites to receive regular event information: Australian Director’s Guild www.adg.org.au Australian Screen Editor’s Guild www.screeneditors.com Australian Writer’s Guild www.awg.com.au Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance www.alliance.org.au Australian Documentary Forum www.ozdox.org These days, the first place most employers look to when hiring is their own network of contacts, so make sure companies you want to work for know who you are! Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn offer additional ways to make contact with industry employers, receive regular information on events and uncover new networking opportunities. No matter how you choose to network, you never know where it may lead.
" KEep maintaining good contact with the other students that you went through the course with because they often will be a source of other work or help you on other projects "
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technical Skills
Whatever your creative ambitions, there’s a technical skill to help you get there. Employers increasingly like to see graduates possess a broad range of media skills and there’s a variety that you’ll become familiar with during your studies. Being able to: • • • •
Shoot and edit video Record and edit sound Post a range of different files online Properly manage a variety of digital file formats are just a few skills employers look out for so don’t forget to include them on your CV!
Producing your own blog or website is a great way to sharpen your technical skills and is a welcome addition to any production portfolio. They’re alsoa good demonstration of what you’re into, your personality and the skills you’re building up.
Studying media arts provides a great introduction to a variety of production & design software in use by industry professionals and the list is constantly growing. Don’t worry if you’re not an InDesign expert or a Final Cut pro being open to the possibilities that vtechnology presents and displaying a willingness to learn is what it’s all about. Here’s a glimpse of what industry employers say they’re using at the moment – ProTools Avid Xpress Pro Studio Final Cut Pro Adobe Dreamweaver Apple Logic Microsoft Office Adobe Premiere Adobe InDesign Soundtrack Pro Adobe After Effects iMovie Maya Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Logic Pro Toon Boom …and that’s just the beginning!
“It' s really important to be able to shift around and take on different roles and often it' s going to be one thing in your CV that actually gets your foot in the door."
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Arnel Rodgerik
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N o n -Tec h n i cal S ki ll s
Software expertise is one thing but learning so-called “soft skills” is something else. Of course, no two media arts graduates are the same, but everyone agrees there’s a few common personal attributes that are welcome in the industry.Employers ranked the following non-technical skills as most important: 1. Good written and verbal communication skills 2. A good sense of humour 3. A strong work ethic 4. Enthusiasm 5. Initiative 6. A willingness to learnv 7. An ability to work as part of a team 8. Creative adaptability All of these and more will ensure you’re the best media arts professional you can possibly be. Word gets around quickly too so it won’t be long before everyone becomes accustomed to your outstanding personality. A great reputation lets others know how easy you are to work with and can lead to opportunities you haven’t even considered.
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Anna Zhu
Keep in mind that you don’t have to wait till you graduate to start building a good reputation. Look out for your fellow students and help each other out during your time at university – these are the people you’ll collaborate with during your studies and could be the people who recommend you for a job in the future.
“Be willing to do things that maybe are a little outside your comfort zone and don't be afraid to get your hands dirty”
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Work Experience
“I usually look for some kind of qualification but just as importantly some experience of some kind showing that they've had some initiative to go out there and develop their skills outside of just a classroom.” Offering your time, enthusiasm and energy to an industry employer is a valued and welcome addition to any student’s CV. Employers agree that work experience plays a very important part in beginning a successful career. There are many benefits to gaining work experience while studying, but in particular it: • Broadens your skills and talents • Gives you a great idea of what working life is really like • Shows employers you are motivated, have initiative and willing to learn • Expands your network of industry and professional contacts. There a re many ways to gain work experience while studying: • Volunteer on an up-and-coming film or TV production
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• Talk to your fellow students - they may be working on project and need some extra help or already have contacts in the industry • Introduce yourself and chat to employers at industry events • Research a company whose work you like and contact them directly Take advantage of the Encore directory – ask your university’s Careers Service if they have a copy, it has an up-todate and comprehensive listing of media arts industry employers • Ask you lecturers about Professional Placements – some universities offer these as subjects and best of all they are counted towards your degree Work experience is a great way to show an employer what you’re capable of and many employers prefer to hire people they already know. By completing work experience at a particular company you are potentially opening up opportunities for an internship or maybe a more permanent position further down the track.
" You can ask your lecturers for advice and if you’re a student that has a good reputation with the staff in the course, they will often recommend people they know that might take you on "
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Anna Zhu
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PRODUCTION PORT F OLIO
“The portfolio is absolutely key -show your best work, explain the rationale behind it and get as much work in as you can.” A portfolio of your production work is the best and most efficient way to show the industry what work you’ve done, where your talents lie, your interests and ambitions. Employers are genuinely excited by a well-presented body of production work, preferably one that’s accessible via a link to your own blog or webpage. This ensures it’s easily accessible and can be regularly updated. Deciding what to include can be a challenge but here’s a few tips from employers to help you along the way:
• Keep it short and concise – five minutes in total is probably enough time to show what you can do • Include a variety of work that demonstrates your range of skills • Make it easy to access – employers don’t want to navigate their way through a maze of links and web pages • If you can, tailor your portfolio to the job you’re applying for – this shows you are well-prepared and have taken time to think about the position • “Top and tail it” – if there’s a couple of pieces you’re particularly proud of, be sure to include them at the beginning and end of your show reel • Don’t keep it a secret – show off your portfolio to your lecturers, uni mates, family and friends. Everyone has an opinion and the more you expose yourself to, the better! • Think about producing a written version with still images representing your work If you’ve collaborated with others on a project, make it clear what role you took on too – team work is a major part of a successful media arts career.
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Inginsh Ricaher
“The bigger the portfolio, the more it can be understood by whoever it is that you're looking to pursue�
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C u r r i c u l e m V i ta e
When it comes to preparing your CV, there’s an overwhelming amount of tips and guidelines about structure, format and content on the Web. Here’s a better approach – pay a visit to your university’s Careers Service. Book yourself a ‘Resume Review’ and have your CV checked over by a professional. Use your university’s Careers website too, as it’s sure to be packed with valuable resources. When it comes to putting your CV together keep these things in mind: • Explain what you’re interested in and what you’ve done at university • Employers want to see what creative projects you’ve worked on so mention them, but be specific about your role • Tailor your CV to match the requirements of the employer and the position • Be sure to include any extra-curricular activities that might be relevant to an employer • Include what softwares you’re familiar with • Include a link to your blog or web page • Keep things clear and concise – two pages is enough! It takes a bit of practice, but a good CV will leave an employer with a good impression.
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"Keep it not too cluttered. If you're not good at layout or graphic design, get a graphic designer to do it to really make it zing".
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Nikola Spasenoski
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t h e IN t e r v i e w
Sometimes the difference between you and the next applicant landing that industry job comes down to a single interview response. Be honest in your answers but well prepared too. Employers love to see you’ve done some research on their company and it’s often the one thing that can push you over the line. Learn about the company by familiarising yourself with their website. It can tell you a lot including: • What projects they’re working on at the moment • How the company is structured and the people that wor there • The history of the company including projects and clients • How the company presents itself- its image, style and values
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If you want to know something about the company and the website doesn’t tell you, grab the opportunity during the interview to ask the employer directly. Your interviewer is bound to be impressed by your interest and they’ll appreciate a couple of wellthought out questions. Take some time to think about why you want to work for the company. Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes and ask yourself what kind of responses would impress you the most. Showing you’re prepared and delivering clear, concise and honest answers is great practice for the future. Visit your university's Careers Service and take advantage of the services they provide – participating in a practice interview will get you used to an interview situation. The more prepared you are, the better your chance of success.
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Anna Zhu
" We might ask you about previous experiences, we will ask you to explain what happened when you were working in (a particular) situation "
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E n t r y- l e v e l p o s i t i o n s
"we like to bring people on who have the right attitude and obviously the right talent and then to develop them and grow them within the business.”
Just as the media arts industries are constantly changing and evolving, so too are the career possibilities open to entrylevel graduates. Every sector of the industry presents its own unique employment possibilities and your first job is just the beginning of a long and productive media arts career. There are many exciting entrylevel positions open to media arts students and graduates, including:
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• Director’s Assistant • Producer’s Assistant • Editor’s Assistant • Studio Assistant • Administrative Assistant • Research Assistant • Client Executive • Account Executive • Project Officer • Junior Web Developer • Camera Assistant • Assistant Line Producerv • Junior Graphic Designer Many graduates find themselves working in the media arts industries soon after leaving university, either with a company or freelancing. Whatever happens, it’s important to stay focused on what you want to achieve, set small goals or yourself and keep busy on projects that interest you.
A dva n c e m e n t O p p o r t u n i t e s
Your media arts career path is likely to be less straight-forward than you think. Demonstrating your abilities and being prepared to rise to new and exciting challenges can open many doors of opportunity. Employers love to see graduates broaden their skills and knowledge – it benefits the company and you too. You can keep up-to-date with technology by completing short courses and training programs, some of which your employer might be able to offer. Check out the career paths of just three recent media arts graduates:
TV Production Assistant › TV Production Coordinator › Documentary Post Production Coordinator › Documentary Researcher Production Assistant › Videographer › Video Production Specialist › Freelance Director Office Assistant › Production Secretary › Production Coordinator Your studies are just the beginning of a life of learning and a desire to grow and challenge yourself is vital. Remember, if there’s a professional goal you have your eye on, it’s likely someone can help you get there.
"It's really hard to find competent people outside of the business so we try to grow our own.”
I n d u s t r y Ev e n t s
"Mumbrella is an industry news website that runs promotions on events so checking that once a day and keeping up with what's going on is a great way to learn about the industry". Being a great networker is one thing but it’s quite another to know how to do it. What better way to meet industry professionals than at their own events! Show your face at presentations, seminars, exhibitions or open days – you’ll not only meet people who can potentially help you in your career but you’ll keep up-to-date with what’s going on in the industry. Heaps of events take place all year round and there’s sure to be one or two that interest you. Check out the events listed on these industry websites:
SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) www.smpte.com.au Semi-Permanent www.semipermanent.com Screen Hub www.screenhub.com.au AFTRS (Australian Film, Television & Radio School) www.aftrs.edu.au Screen Australia www.screenaustralia.gov.au AIMIA (Australian Interactive Media Industry Association) www.aimia.com.au DLF (Digital Labourers Federation) www.dlf.org.au Keep a look out for industry events happening at your university too. If an employer’s giving a talk they’ll be able to fill you in on career possibilities and answer your questions. Local film festivals and performance nights are another way to make contact with people who share your interests. They’re fun, affordable and a great way to see what your peers are up to.
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Acad e m ic Record
" When I look at someone' s résumé I do put a tick next to ‘oh they've gone to university, they've done a degree’. That shows to me that they've employed their critical thinking just to get through an essay"
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Studying media arts is as challenging as it is rewarding. A media arts course gives you the opportunity to narrow your focus of creative interest, build up your own body of production work and form a tight network of peers. You’ll sharpen your analytical skills while gaining creative experience that will only broaden over time. Employers want to see you’ve done well in your course but your academic record is not the only thing they consider when deciding to take you on. Striking a balance between getting the best grades you can and notching up some work experience along the way is not always easy but will help you when it’s time to wrap up your studies. Most importantly, give it your best and get through uni in one piece as going the distance tells an employer you’re focused and determined to succeed.
It's really hard to find competent people outside of the business so we try to grow our own.�
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Current & future in d ustry tren ds
No one can accurately predict what the future for the media arts industries has in store but some current trends give us a clue. Rapid advances in digital technology mean new. No one can accurately predict what the future for the media arts industries has in store but some current trends give us a clue. Rapid advances in digital technology mean new work opportunities are opening up all the time, many of which exist for the first time. Production equipment is more affordable than ever before, meaning anyone with an idea and a bit of talent can produce their own work and share it with others.
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In a highly-competitive job market it pays to be resourceful, so talk to students already in a media arts course or graduates in the workforce. Find out what strategies worked for them and keep in mind it takes more than one or two job-seeker strategies to ensure success. Everyone has their own unique experience of looking for and finding work and yours will be different again. Maximise your chances by using all of the methods mentioned in this booklet. Make the effort to find out what interests you and most important of all, give it your best!
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Mark Molodec
“Making that effort and finding that passion is certainly going to put you out there because even though we're under enormous pressure to hire, we don't hire people that are just not going to cut the grade.�
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F u r t h e r I n f r o m at i o n
All web links included in this information booklet are listed below for easy reference: Job-seeker Strategies: Arts Hub Arts Hub www.artshub.com.au DLF (Digital Labourers Federation) www.dlf.org.au The Loop www.theloop.com.au Pedestrian.tv www.pedestrian.tv Networking: Australian Director’s Guild www.adg.org.au Australian Screen Editor’s Guild www.screeneditors.com Australian Writer’s Guild www.awg.com.au Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance www.alliance.org.au Australian Documentary Forum www.ozdox.org
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Industry Events: SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) www.smpte.com.au Semi-Permanent www.semipermanent.com Screen Hub www.screenhub.com.au AFTRS (Australian Film, Television & Radio School) www.aftrs.edu.au Screen Australia www.screenaustralia.gov.au AIMIA (Australian Interactive Media Industry Association) www.aimia.com.au DLF (Digital Labourers Federation) www.dlf.org.au
LOOKING TO BREAK INTO THE DIGITAL MEDIA INDUSTRY? CHECK OUT AIMIA’S AWESOME INTERNSHIPS YOU’RE PROBABLY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: • Studying, well suppose to be • Just left college/uni and wondering what the hell do to do now • or putting all your efforts into gaming, FB, Twitter and just general web stuff
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THE FOLLOWING? Creative campaigns, Marketing, Social Media,Web Design & Development, Advertising & Communications, Digital, Design, Media Publishing, PR, Mobile, Applications development, Interactive production & design and Project management, HTML, PHP, CSS, Flash.
HOW DO SOME OF THESE ROLES SOUND? Flash Designer, Marketing, Social Media Assistant,Website design, Producer, Content Dev, Online Marketing, Project Management, Digital Producer,Writing, Digital Designer, Creative types, Ideas people! Developers & Designers, Programming Languages,Testing, Usability testing, user interface design, Account Executive/ Client Service
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
• Get your foot in the door in some big name companies • Put your skills & ideas in to practice – believe me they could do with them • No guarantees but there might be a possible job at the end, most our Interns end up working in their dream job for a living! • Meet some excellent players in the industry WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? - Simple! Get Cracking! Just tell me why you make an excellent Intern along with your detailed, up to date Resume including any related courses, employment and skills details. Don’t forget to include a list of programs you have used and any of your work you think might be relevant, INCLUDING your portfolio or showreel. Send everything to sophie@aimia.com.au
WHAT’S THE CATCH? There isn’t one! Except you must be able to work in NSW. You will get to work with some great people in the industry and work on some fantastic brands and campaigns.There are no strict rules AIMIA and NSW Industry & Investment have created this scheme simply to help students gain industry experience with reputable companies.You can work as many hours as you want, for as long as you want. However you might not leave as most of our interns end up being hired! WHAT YOU WAITING FOR? IF YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT DIGITAL MEDIA THEN THIS IS DEFINITELY FOR YOU.
For further information contact Sophie Adams – Internship Project Manager M: 0416309016 E: sophie@aimia.com.au W: www.aimia.com.au
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@AIMIAInternship 2 M / A / P UTS