Key resources

• Prospects: Media and internet job profiles
  

Explore roles and career paths

Interactive media covers a wide range of creative and technical roles — here are just a few areas you might explore:

• UX/UI Design – user researchers, interface designers, digital experience specialists
  
• Web & Digital Media – front-end developers, web designers, content creators
  
• Extended Reality (XR) – working with augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality
• Video Games – designers, programmers, animators, writers, producers

How AI is shaping creative technology

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the interactive media and creative tech landscape, from game development and user experience to immersive XR storytelling. Students entering the industry should build awareness of:

• Prompt engineering
• AI-assisted design and prototyping
• The ethics of AI-generated content and data use
  
  

These skills are becoming essential for innovation and long-term career success. AI is influencing everything from design workflows to audience engagement, and those who can use these tools thoughtfully and ethically will stand out.

Further Reading 

• Solarflare Studio – Emerging Tech Report: AI, XR & Interactive Tech
• Science News Explores – AI, make me a video game
  
• Jeff Gothelf - The Impact of AI on UX Design Work

There are many different roles in interactive media and creative technologies, but most require a mix of creative thinking, digital skills, and the ability to work well in a team. Many roles involve solving real-world problems and designing experiences that are easy and enjoyable to use - whether that’s a game, app, website or immersive experience.

Depending on your interests, roles in this sector draw on a combination of technical and transferable skills. Here are some examples:

Technical & Creative Skills

• Coding and software tools – e.g. Unity, Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS
  
• Design tools – e.g. Adobe Creative Suite, Figma (especially useful for web and UX roles)
  
• Design thinking – generating user-first ideas and creative solutions
  
• Attention to detail – especially valuable in testing, coding or animation work
  
  

Interpersonal & Transferable Skills

• Teamwork and communication – most projects are collaborative
  
• Curiosity and willingness to learn – tech evolves quickly, so staying adaptable matters
  
• Problem-solving – key in debugging, UX, and iterative design
  
  

You don’t need to have all these skills to get started. You can build them through your course, side projects, work experience, or by exploring tools and platforms in your own time.

There are many ways into interactive media and creative tech roles, and your pathway will often depend on your interests, technical skills, and portfolio. Most graduates enter the sector through junior-level roles and progress as they gain experience, but alternative routes like apprenticeships, bootcamps, or self-taught learning are also viable.

Graduate Entry Points

• Junior roles
  Many companies recruit graduates into entry-level jobs such as junior developer, UX designer, QA tester, or digital content assistant. These roles often expect familiarity with industry tools (e.g., Unity, Figma, HTML/CSS) and some portfolio evidence of your work.
  
• Internships and placement years
  Look for advertised internships through platforms like Handshake, or consider undertaking a placement year to gain industry experience. Some large digital agencies or games studios run structured programmes for students and recent graduates.
  
• Graduate schemes
  A limited number of larger employers offer graduate schemes, particularly in gaming, software, and digital design. These are often competitive and may include rotations across departments.
  
  

Alternative Pathways

• Apprenticeships
  Tech-focused apprenticeships are available in areas such as games programming, digital UX, and software development. These offer paid, on-the-job training and a route into the sector without needing a traditional degree.
  
• Coding bootcamps and online courses
  For roles in development or web design, coding bootcamps or structured online learning (e.g., via Codecademy, Coursera, or General Assembly) can help you build the necessary skills and projects to showcase your abilities.
  
  

Self-taught and freelance routes
Many creative technologists build their skills independently through personal projects and freelance work. This route requires motivation and a strong portfolio, but can offer flexibility and diverse experience.

Tip for Self-Taught Students
Aim to document your learning journey and publish your work online — whether via GitHub, a personal website, or platforms like Behance and ArtStation.

Competition for jobs in interactive media and creative technologies can be high, and many roles — especially in smaller studios or start-ups — aren’t advertised through traditional channels. That’s why building experience and connections while you study is essential.

You don’t need to rely solely on internships. Here are a few ways to get started:

Search creatively – Many roles are shared informally or through specialist platforms. Try:

• Prospects – Careers in the video games industry
• Aardvark Swift – a recruitment agency focused on the games industry
• Creativepool – jobs and freelance gigs in digital, design and media
• Bubble Jobs – digital, marketing, UX and web design jobs
• Individual company websites – digital agencies and game studios often advertise internships or junior roles directly

Think beyond job boards

• Networking matters – Many roles are filled through connections. Reach out to professionals in areas you’re interested in — a short message could lead to insight or opportunities.
• LinkedIn Post: The Guide to Networking on LinkedIn for Job Seekers
• Speculative applications – If you admire a studio or agency, send a short, tailored message with your CV and portfolio, especially if you're looking for work experience or freelance opportunities.
• Prospects: Speculative applications

You don't have to check multiple job boards every week — choose one or two that suit your interests (e.g. web, games, XR) and set up alerts. Combine this with networking and side projects to build experience and confidence.

Freelancing 

Freelancing is a common career path in many areas of interactive media and creative technologies, offering flexibility and diverse project experience, particularly for designers, developers, and artists.

Visa guidance (for international students)
If you are studying in the UK on a Student Visa (formerly Tier 4), you are not permitted to undertake freelance or self-employed work. This includes roles where you are not employed by a company, such as offering services directly to clients.

Always check your visa conditions carefully and contact the University’s International Student Support team if you're unsure about what types of work are allowed.

Make the most of opportunities at the University and within the local tech community to gain skills, build a portfolio, and talk to people working in roles that interest you.

York Internships – gain experience applying your digital skills
Placement Year Programme – spend a year in industry
Student Societies – e.g. HackSoc and Fragsoc for collaboration and projects
York for Life – connect with alumni working in creative tech
Creativity Lab – explore digital making in the library
XR Stories – immersive storytelling hub in York
Digital Creativity Network - a community of researchers, technicians, PhD students and creative practitioners working in digital creativity
Local Creative & Tech Industry

York and the surrounding region are home to a growing number of creative and digital tech companies — from indie game studios and immersive media labs to web design agencies and UX consultancies. Here are just a few to explore:

• XR Stories (York)
  A major regional hub for immersive and interactive storytelling. Offers funded R&D, events and connections across film, heritage, media and tech.
  
• Revolution Software (York)
  An independent game studio with global reach, known for the Broken Sword series.
  
• BetaJester (Originally based in York, now remote)
  A York-based studio creating interactive digital experiences across games, XR, and education.
  
  

Start by following some of these organisations on LinkedIn or attending a local event to learn more about the creative tech scene in your area. 

 

Connect with York graduates

Join York for Life to connect with our global network of alumni. Start building your own network - find people from your course, look at different careers, ask questions and request a mentor.

Use LinkedIn to make connections, follow organisations of interest, and find out what York graduates are doing. Find out more about using LinkedIn and networking.

Podcasts

Podcasts are a great way to learn from real career stories — and spark ideas for your own path.

What do you actually do? Is a podcast from Careers and Placements at York, featuring guests such as:

• From TV to Tech (Vivien Chung, Business Technology)
• Running a Startup (Toby Cannon, Software Development Engineer)
• Historical Consulting for Video Games (Nicholas Gliserman, Chief Academic Officer)
• The Underrepresented in Tech Podcast – Hosted by Allie Nimmons & Michelle Frechette, weekly discussions spotlight specific communities (e.g. disabled, queer, non‑developers) within tech
  
• Elevate – Women in Tech – A UK series advocating for gender diversity and featuring female leaders in tech
  
• The Junior Jobs Podcast - A weekly show specifically aimed at junior developers entering the workplace—covering interviews, CV tips, portfolios, and early career experiences