Computer Games Development CAREER INSIGHT
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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development
Introduction Virtually every organisation in every sector relies on computer technology and ICT to a varying degree, so graduates studying Information Technology-related courses will always be highly employable, both in the UK and overseas. The career options in this field are ever growing and widely diverse. In addition to the major IT organisations such as IBM, Oracle, HP, Google, Microsoft etc students are encouraged to explore ICT roles in organisations in non-IT sectors such as Retail, Engineering, Education, Health, Construction, Finance, and Science for example. The key when applying for a role in ICT is to think about how you can demonstrate your passion for technology. The majority of students will be seeking a role within the computer games industry, however, the course will also give you a good foundation to information technology in general and it is possible to undertake a wide variety of IT roles within an organisation. Also many graduate roles are open to candidates from any degree background or you could gain further qualifications by undertaking relevant postgraduate study. Planning for your career and gaining work experience throughout your course will benefit you when you graduate. The graduate labour market has become increasingly competitive so it is crucial that you gain plenty of work experience during your time at university to demonstrate that you are motivated and have the right skills. Take advantage of work experience and networking opportunities and look at other ways to develop your skills and achievements by taking on volunteering and other extra-curricular activities. You should also consider setting up a LinkedIn profile and following relevant organisations and jobs boards through Twitter. Many employers use social media to post work experience opportunities so take advantage of using the sites to help you make links and find out more about what opportunities are out there. It is important that you understand what employers look for in candidates so that you can ensure you meet their entry requirements. Make the most of utilising available resources, attend career events or employer talks, and take every opportunity to network with professionals to find out as much as possible about the career areas you are interested in.
Typical job options Computer Games Technology graduates undertake a wide range of roles after completing their studies. Recent roles have included Software Technician, Software Development, Software Engineer, Lead Programmer, Computer Engineer and QA. These roles have taken place at companies such as Appsense, Sony, Travellers Tale, Juice Games, Electronic Arts, Eurocom and Spiral House.
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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development
Computer games development is a very technically demanding process and developers are required to possess a wide range of technical skills including computer programming, computer graphics and mathematics. In addition, they are also expected to have strong knowledge of gaming console and PC hardware architecture. The course will prepare you to be a computer game developer ready to work and succeed in this challenging and exciting industry. The two main careers websites (Prospects and TargetJobs) both have useful overviews of options available for Computer Games graduates and within ICT in general. The National Careers Website also has a number of possible job roles for ICT students:
Career options in IT - www.prospects.ac.uk/options_computer_science.htm IT Sector overview - http://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/it-and-technology
Possible ICT job roles:
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Computer Games Designer https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/pages/Com puterGamesDeveloper.aspx Computer Games Tester https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/com putergamestester.aspx IT Security Coordinator https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/ITSe curityCoordinator.aspx Systems Analyst https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/syst emsanalyst.aspx Web Designer https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/web designer.aspx Animator https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/ani mator.aspx E-learning Developer https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/elearningdeveloper.aspx Network Engineer https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/net workengineer.aspx
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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development
Software Developer https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/soft waredeveloper.aspx
Using your degree for a career in Education There is currently a big push from the government to encourage graduates with the appropriate skills and knowledge to become ICT teachers in both Primary and Secondary schools. ICT is currently classed as a ‘shortage’ subject meaning that there are generous bursaries available for those interested in undertaking teacher training through either the PGCE or School Direct route. The more established PGCE route is where you will be based at a University undertaking an academic course but will also undertake school placements as part of your course. The School Direct route is based within a school but there may also be opportunities to undertake a PGCE at a local University. Further information can be found www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching
on
the
‘Get
into
Teaching’
website
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Secondary school teacher http://www.prospects.ac.uk/secondary_school_teacher_job_description.htm Further education lecturer http://www.prospects.ac.uk/further_education_lecturer_job_description.htm Higher education lecturer http://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_lecturer_job_description.htm
Other options The Computer Games Technology course will help you to develop a wide range of technical and practical skills to a high level. While many enter these courses to pursue a career directly working with Information Technology, the range of skills makes you adaptable across a wider range of commercial and public sector organisations.
Possible employers The employers at the top of the list below are specifically within the computer Ganes industry and you can find a more detailed list in the separate document “Computer Games Employers”. Computer Games students may also be interested in more general ICT positions and examples of possible employers can also be found below. Most large employers offer Technology graduate schemes which involve graduates undertaking a selection of short placements before committing to a specific area of specialism. It is important to start researching your options early and regularly use the main graduate vacancy websites to explore possible employment opportunities as there are too many organisations to mention in this guide!
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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development
SCE Studio (Sony) - www.worldwidestudios.net/liverpool Lucid Games - http://www.lucidgames.co.uk/ TT Games - http://www.ttgames.com/ Electronic Arts - http://careers.ea.com/ Spiral House - http://www.spiralhouse.co.uk/
Other employers of ICT students and graduates
CGI - www.careers.cgi-group.co.uk Selex ES - www.selex-es.com/careers/uk-careers - Defence and Security Atos - http://uk.atos.net/en-uk/home/careers.html IRM - www.irmplc.com/ - Cyber and Information Security Consultancy Raytheon UK - www.raytheon.co.uk/careers/ - Defence and Security Fujitsu Services - www.fujitsu.com/uk/about/local/jobs/ Capgemini - www.uk.capgemini.com/ Capita - www.capita.co.uk/careers/capita-graduates.aspx Hewlett Packard - www8.hp.com/uk/en/campaign/graduate/ Morrisons - www.morrisonsgraduates.com/ National Grid - http://careers.nationalgrid.com/ Network Rail - http://www.networkrail.co.uk/careers/schemes/students-andgraduates/graduate/ Marks and Spencer - http://careers.marksandspencer.com/graduate-careers IBM - http://www-05.ibm.com/employment/uk/graduate-programmes/ Unilever - www.unilever.co.uk/careers-jobs/graduates/ Sky - www.workforsky.com/starting-out/graduate-opportunities FDM Group - www.fdmgroup.com/uk/careers/fdm-graduate-programme/ Price Waterhouse Coopers - www.pwc.co.uk/careers/ Thales - www.thalesgroup.com/en/homepage/careers KPMG - www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/ TUI - www.tuitraveljobs.co.uk/ RBS - www.rbsbankyoubuild.com
Useful links and websites
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LJMU My Jobs and Placements - http://ljmu.prospects.ac.uk/ Prospects – Careers information and graduate jobs – www.prospects.ac.uk TargetJobs - Careers information and graduate jobs – www.targetjobs.co.uk Aardvark Swift - http://www.aswift.com/ (Recruitment Agency – Computer Games) Amiqus - http://www.amiqus.com/ (Recruitment Agency – Computer Games) Datascope - http://www.datascope.co.uk/ (Recruitment Agency – Computer Games).
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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development
Skillset - http://www.skillset.org/
Graduate to Merseyside (graduate roles in small businesses on Merseyside) http://www.liv.ac.uk/careers/gradvantage/internships.htm Gradcracker (Engineering and Technology focus) – www.gradcracker.com Year in Industry - www.etrust.org.uk/the-year-in-industry The Chartered Institute for IT - http://www.bcs.org/ Machtech (Recruitment Agency for Engineering, IT and Construction) www.machtech.com/graduates Computer Weekly (provider of news, analysis, and opinion for the UK IT community) -www.computerweekly.com/ For job vacancies o www.itjobswatch.co.uk/ o www.computing.co.uk/jobs
Follow relevant companies/websites through Twitter:
@LJMUCareers @AByrneLJMU @bcs @gradcracker
You could also consider setting up a LinkedIn profile and follow relevant organisations through Twitter to keep up to date with opportunities and developments in the creative industries. Many employers use social media to post work experience opportunities so take advantage of using the sites to help you make links and find out more about what opportunities are out there.
Sources of work experience The School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences has a specific member of staff, Lucy Tweedle, to support students when looking for placement opportunities. Lucy will email vacancies direct to students and also place them on a specific web page within the CMP mini-site. Download the Careers Centre’s mini-guide on “Making yourself employable whilst at University” from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers/123871.htm for an overview of the different types of work experience available and some general suggestions about finding work experience opportunities. LJMU has been managing a summer internship programme for Level 5 students in recent years, so keep an eye on your LJMU inbox for details of any opportunities and check our vacancy website: http://ljmu.prospects.ac.uk/. As part of the degree programme you will have the opportunity to complete a work placement. Gaining work experience is really important for your future career so you should definitely consider this option. Many of the large recruiters have summer and year-long placement opportunities available to those on degree programmes, which are usually advertised through
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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development
websites such as Prospects, Targetjobs, Milkround and Gradcracker, as well as on the organisations’ own websites. The Year in Industry scheme also supports students in undertaking technology-related placements. Many placement schemes are open to students from any degree discipline. Check your eligibility before making an application, e.g. some summer placements are specifically aimed at second-year students. Applications for summer internships or year-long placements with large employers are very competitive, so involvement in extracurricular activities, voluntary work or previous work experience can give you the edge over other candidates. It’s never too early to start getting involved in clubs and societies or to gain work experience, so explore relevant options early on in your studies. Contacting relevant organisations directly via email or through LinkedIn or speaking with people at networking events may lead to work experience. Even when applying to secure work experience for the first time in this industry, show the employer what you have to offer. Briefly outline the relevancy of your course. Address the job’s person specification and look at the skills outlined above and evidence these in your CV, drawing on examples from your course and other work experience or extra-curricular activities to demonstrate these skills. Make sure you research the organisation beforehand and find out the best person to get in touch with. It is important that you demonstrate that you are interested in the organisation and have spent some time finding out what they do. Useful websites to research a range of voluntary opportunities include www.do-it.org.uk/ and https://www.liverpoolguild.org/main-menu/volunteer. Many charities and not-for-profit organisations require volunteers for trustee or treasurer positions. You could also contact LJMU Volunteering Manager Chris Prescott on 0151 904 6356 or c.j.prescott@ljmu.ac.uk to enquire about current opportunities. It is also worth researching relevant organisations/charities and contacting them directly to find out about voluntary roles on offer.
Recruitment schedule Recruitment cycles and deadlines will vary depending on the type of work you are applying for. Again, research is key to ensure that you do not miss relevant opportunities. Generally, the selection process takes longer in larger organisations, as they tend to receive a higher number of applications and use several different stages to reduce the number of potential candidates. As a result, application deadlines can be as early as October/November in your final year of study for a start date in August or September of the following year. If you are considering postgraduate study, find out if there are any specific closing dates for applications. Many graduate training schemes with large companies will accept applications from students of any degree background. If you are interested in these roles, you will need to be aware of the recruitment cycle. Many employers begin the graduate recruitment process during the autumn term for final-year students. Some placements are advertised then as well. Most closing dates are in November and December, but some are earlier so it is important to start researching companies that you want to apply to early on. The application process for graduate training schemes usually involves completing an online application form, which may require you to answer ‘competency based questions’. This may be followed by psychometric
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© 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development
tests, a telephone interview and an assessment centre. You may also need to submit your CV. Most of the large recruiters have a section on the student/graduate pages of their website that outlines the different steps of their selection process, so check these to find out what is required. For more information about graduate schemes, download the ‘Graduate Schemes’ guide from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers/123871.htm. The Careers Team runs its “Graduate Schemes Uncovered” workshop on a regular basis – please check our events pages on https://worldofwork.ljmu.ac.uk/events/ for details. Many of these opportunities are advertised in the Prospects Directory and the Targetjobs Directory (available from the Careers Zones or on the Prospects and Targetjobs website), on websites like www.milkround.com or www.ratemyplacement.co.uk/, as well as on the organisations’ own websites. You may also find work through small and medium-sized enterprises/businesses (SMEs). These types of companies don’t usually have structured training schemes but will recruit ‘as required’. Some SMEs may use their own application form but most applications will be by CV and covering letter. These positions will be advertised on company websites, relevant recruitment websites, the Job Centre, and national and local newspapers. The ‘creative’ or ‘speculative’ approach to job hunting, outlined above, is also important when looking for graduate roles. Making contacts and approaching organisations speculatively to look for work is a common route into employment. For more information about the speculative approach to job hunting, download a copy of our guide to ‘The Hidden Jobs Market’ from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers/123871.htm. You can get advice about the recruitment process by booking a one-to-one appointment with a careers or employability adviser (call us on 0151 231 8099 (select option 1) to arrange this) or you can attend relevant workshops in the Careers Zones. You can also submit CVs, applications, etc through our e-guidance system: www.prospectsnet.com/questtime/servlets/GradquestServlet?mode=question&instID=155.
Key events and networking
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Liverpool Careers Fair: usually held in the autumn and spring of each year, see fairs website http://www.liverpoolfairs.org.uk/ for additional events
Manchester Careers Fairs: open to students and graduates from any university; check http://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/students/events/ for details
Careers and Employability events at LJMU: Keep an eye on our events pages at https://worldofwork.ljmu.ac.uk/events/ for details of upcoming employability workshops, networking sessions and employer talks.
LiverpoolSU Clubs and Societies: http://ljmu.unioncloud.org/groups#club-society
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© 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development
LinkedIn: You could also consider setting up a LinkedIn account (http://www.linkedin.com/) to network online with professionals and organisations in your chosen industry
Other information LJMU Centre for Entrepreneurship – Support for LJMU students and graduates interested in starting up their own business. Further details can be found here: http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/startup/ including eligibility, timescales and training dates.
Career Zones Our campus-based Careers Zones are based in the reception area of James Parsons Building at Byrom Street, in Aldham Robarts Library and in IM Marsh Library. Call in for help with any careers enquiries, to book an appointment with our advisers, pick up careers guides and resources, meet employers, book a practice interview and much more.
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© 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development
Notes
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Š 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development
Notes
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