Digital Humanities to Digital Careers

Posted on by Kelly Mackiw

Last month, the Department of Digital Humanities hosted a panel event for students to hear from two professionals working in the digital industry. The panel consisted of Toby Hoon, Chief Information Officer of Immediate Media, and Alex Light, founder of the digital agency SOON_ with 20 years of experience in the industry. Alex Light presented on “10 Ways to Get a Job in Digital” and Toby Hoon gave his advice on how to persevere once you’ve gotten that job. With these fantastic presentations and the Q&A session that followed, there was a wealth of experience to learn from.

Whether you’re a student in the department, or just interested in a career in anything digital, here are some of the top takeaways from the event:

  1. Read widely. In an industry that’s constantly evolving, you can never be too up-to-date on the latest news. Knowing more about the industry is always a great way to start up a conversation when you’re networking! That being said…  
  2. Don’t underestimate the power of networking. New jobs are emerging from the tech sector all the time – keep in touch with people from your course and other contacts to know more about what’s out there! Platforms like LinkedIn are a great way to maintain connections but also remember the value of meeting with individuals in-person at fairs and conferences.  
  3. Add something interesting to your CV. Some recruiters may look through hundreds of applications and after a while, that can get dull. Add a link to a blog you’ve written for, a project you’ve worked on, or anything that sets you apart from the crowd. There’s value in showing your interests outside of your professional work experience!   
  4. Know your transferable skills. There are a lot of skills that you’ve picked up in university that you might not even know to put on your CV! Whether your strengths are in critical thinking, organization or time management, these are skills that employers value. And remember – talking about why you’re passionate about an opportunity is just as important.  
  5. When you help others out, chances are, they’ll help you too. This goes for contacts when you’re trying to find a job and even once you’re in that job. If you’re known to help your colleagues around the office, people will want to help you too! 

As always, we’re here to help you on your career journey. We have careers guidance appointments available throughout the summer, as well as job opportunities posted on CareerConnect all year round!