Graduate into gaming: getting started in the industry

If you’re interested in a career in the gaming industry, you’ve come to the right place. The sector has gone from strength to strength in recent years and, if you can remember what gaming looked like when you were a child, just imagine what it could look like 20 years from now.

Sounds exciting, right? We think so! You might be wondering how and where you can get involved in the gaming industry, so let’s run through the first things you’re gonna want to do to get your foot in the door.

6 tips for pursuing a career in gaming

Of course, you’re going to have to take on the responsibility of finding your first job in gaming. Gaining a relevant degree or qualification will likely help to prove your knowledge, but it might not serve as a guarantee, so what else can boost your chances?

1. Keep up to date on the latest in gaming

If you’re keen on landing a job in gaming, it’s important to keep your finger on the pulse. Keep up with what’s going on in this world, from best-in-class writing to game-changing programming. The more you continue to expand your knowledge, the more desirable you’ll appear to hiring managers.

Check out gaming websites like IGN, Kotaku and Polygon, or simply your favourite gaming YouTubers and podcasters.

2. Take advantage of online courses and tutorials

There are lots of different pathways to choose from within the gaming industry, but you can bet no matter what niche you prefer, there’ll be plenty of online courses and tutorials to help you get your feet off the ground.

If you’re yet to secure your first job, take advantage of them to help flesh out a portfolio and get your creative juices flowing–for many junior positions, you can present your projects to showcase your skills.

You can get started by looking at options available on Coursera and Game Design Wiki.

3. Get involved with gaming communities

You’ve decided a gaming career could be perfect for you, but rest assured, there are a LOT of like-minded people out there who would be more than happy to help you with challenges, field your questions and offer advice. Plus, just hanging around these spaces will fill you with ideas, inspiration and industry news to take your knowledge and skills to the next level.

Some fantastic options we’d recommend include Work With Indies, r/gamedesign on Reddit and Ask Gamedev on Discord.

4. Highlight your motivations

Like in any field, a company or hiring manager will want to see your passion and creativity, so give yourself a boost by setting up a portfolio, blog, website or any other medium that allows your creativity to shine. You could document a project you’re working on, write reviews for other games, or simply connect with professionals in the industry.

Platforms like Behance, ArtStation and itch are all solid choices to get yourself started, or even just explore what else is out there.

5. Take part in events and conferences

Networking can seem daunting, especially when you’re just starting your career, but it will open more doors than you think. Attending conferences and events means getting the chance to meet fellow members of the gaming community, including recruiters and professionals at companies you’ve got your eye on.

Check out the next UNiDAYS LVL UP LIVE event to be immersed into the world of gaming, or simply search for events closer to you. P.S. there are a LOT of events.

6. Search for internships and placements

If you’re a student, or you’ve recently graduated, it’s a good idea to have a look at which companies offer internships and placements that you could take advantage of. You could ask a relevant lecturer or member of uni staff to help you do this–you’d be surprised at how many high-level gaming professionals will have started out in testing and quality assurance!