Grads get into Gaming

With recent statistics indicating that the IT industry is undergoing something of an image problem amongst university graduates who deem it ëgeekyí and poorly paid. Nick Dettmar, managing director of Computer People, part of the Adecco Group, comments on how a role in the IT industry remains an exciting career option.

ìFive years ago the IT industry experienced a buoyant period of growth, attracting a large number of graduates looking to take a career path less travelled. Yet with sustained growth within the industry came an influx of job opportunities, which eroded some of the cool factor an IT career seemed to offer. However as an industry constantly changing and adapting, IT remains a hot bed of activity offering todays and future graduates a range of challenging and exciting career opportunities.

The gaming sector for example is one route increasing in graduate popularity through its position at the forefront of the technology industry, giving graduates a chance to showcase technical abilities as well as developing a range of in-demand skills. Itís important to emphasise that though competitive, gaming roles are no longer solely available to those with vast industry knowledge. For example only 3% of those recruited into gaming positions this year have had previous industry experience, compared to 90% five years ago. This gives graduates a chance to take the first step on their career ladder.

In terms of pay-levels, IT graduate roles will struggle to compete with the salaries of those entering the higher echelons of the financial services world in the City, though

for many high quality graduates a salary of between 23k and 26k is certainly not out of the question.î