Careers Brief - Multimedia FdA
Overview
The Foundation degree in Multimedia offers you the opportunity for progression onto an Honours degree programme and direct job entry.
The last few years have seen a rapid expansion in growth and subsequent demand for trained practitioners within the interactive digital media industries, with ongoing development in technology and its applications.
As a multimedia designer or developer, you could be involved in the design of many forms of interactive media. You could be working on the development, production and management of web and other internet-based products and systems, CD-ROMs and DVD authoring, interactive and networked art, interactive TV and games design.
Job opportunities exist in a variety of sectors, including e-commerce, education, entertainment and global communications. You could be working for a large organisation, based within the IT or marketing or public relations department; within an advertising, publishing, communications, marketing or software company; a specialised multimedia production studio, or working as a freelance professional.
There are no set entry requirements for a career in digital or interactive media. However, employers are looking for an ability to learn, some relevant experience and transferable skills. A relevant degree course is the most useful training route, to demonstrate you have the right skills and produce work to show evidence of your ability.
Employers are looking for a multi-skilled practitioner with creativity and artistic flair, as well as a methodical approach and attention to detail and familiarity with relevant software. Success in your course will have given you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to apply technical knowledge and principles.
You will also have developed the key transferable skills and competencies which recruiters look for, such as: being adaptable and a quick learner; effective communicating; team working, in addition to working on your own initiative; analysing information and problem solving; multi-tasking and the ability to work to deadlines.
Use the website links below to find out more.
Further Study
You will be able to apply for a Top-up degree. Top-up degrees are designed as a direct progression from Foundation degree to achieve an Ordinary or Honours degree.
Alternatively, you could transfer into a related Honours degree. Entry point would depend on your grades, experience and overlap between courses but could be into the final year.
Go to HE Courses on the HE Home page for information on the Bournemouth University BA (Hons) Media Production Top-Up degree, designed as a direct progression for this course.
Other institutions offering related Top-ups include:
Blackburn College; The Arts University College at Bournemouth; University of Brighton; Edinburgh Napier University; University of Huddersfield; Leeds Metropolitan University; London South Bank University; New College Nottingham; University of Plymouth; Sheffield Hallam University.
To search for degree courses go to www.ucas.com/ (UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for the UK ). Use the university/college links for course details.
You will need to use UCAS to apply for courses. Contact the Course Tutor of your chosen course to find out your position, before you make your formal application.
Find out how much this will cost you. Where is the funding coming from? Go to the university/college site for information on costs and finance and to www.direct.gov.uk/uni/ for additional help with student support.
Go to the main section Further Study of this Guide for more information and help.
Resources
Creative Choices - online service supporting the individual and business in the creative industries and cultural sector.
Drop down sub-heading 'Knowledge' - check out 'Job profiles' and useful 'Quick guides'.
The Sector Skills Council for the Creative Media - Careers section
Go to sector sub-headings
Graduate Prospects - online national careers service for HE students studying in the UK:
- Drop down 'Sectors' and click on 'IT & information services' for 'multimedia'
- Drop down 'Jobs & work' and click on 'What jobs would suit me?' for Prospects Planner
Go to Divisions 'Blitz Academy Career Advice' - careers guidance website for those interested in a career in games
Hobsons/GTI graduate careers publication - Careers advice section
GTI publication for graduate jobs and careers intelligence - go to sub-headings 'Career sections' + 'Careers advice'
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/multimedia.htm
University of Kent Careers Service - 'What can I do with my degree in multimedia?'
The British Interactive Media Association
BCS The Chartered Institute for IT - drop down sub-heading 'Qualifications, Training, Careers' to click on 'Careers' + 'Students'
ETB - for job profiles go to 'Real life engineering'
http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/
Careers Advice Service
www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u
Jobs4U Careers Database - click on sub-heading 'Job Families & Articles' or Quick Search by typing in job title
www.guidance-research.org/future-trends/media/
Warwick Institute for Employment Research - 'Audio-visual industries'
The Guardian newspaper online - key source for current media news and jobs
http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/
Careers database and links to jobs nationally. Search by either clicking on side-heading 'Careers' and choose a category or type in job title.
www.intute.ac.uk/artsandhumanities
Intute is a free online service providing a database and access to web resources for education and research in the Creative Arts and Humanities
BECTU The Media & Entertainment Union
Go to the Job Applications section of this Careers Guide for additional help and advice with making applications.
