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LIFE ON SET ◆ SMART HOME TECH ◆ BEHIND THE SCENES ◆ GOING VIRAL ◆ A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... ◆ CREATIVE TECH TO MAKE YOU HAPPIER ◆ REAL LIFE DREAM JOBS ◆ DIGITAL DIRECTORY
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[our team] Techmix is published by: Digital Skills Agency Ltd 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX info@techmixmag.com Publisher Edward Baker Commercial Director James Greene Technical Director Damian Marciniec Assistant Editor Hope Lowe Sub Editor Savannah Whaley Creative Direction Charlotte McKay Nicholas McKay Website Creative Rik Hopkinson Contributing Writers Richard Grocock Nicola Cavalazzi Event Producer Pauline Menini Programme Manager Abdul Ali Community Team Charlie Digpal Jessica Heale Special Thanks Dan Chaput Luke Chaput Adam Cooper Nik Fisher Toby Hurd Gavin Lucas Paul Alison RJ Noble Justin Squires Olivia Ralevski
Hello!
Hello, I hope this Creative Careers edition of Techmix finds you well?
STINGS, REED HA & CEO, ER D CO-FOUN IX NETFL rial ideas epreneu Most entr azy, stupid and d cr l will soun en they’l ic, and th t. m o n co h une g ri e to b turn out
Everyone remembers their first proper job. For good or bad, your first step onto the career ladder is a formative experience, and spending that first pay cheque is a moment we all remember. My first job was working as a runner at the BBC; an entry level role that gave me a life lesson in tea making, faxing and photocopying. Not the glamourous affair I was hoping it to be, but a real eyeopener into the opportunities ahead in the world of television and film. While I didn’t enjoy making the tea, I did enjoy working on set and on shows that made me feel part of a team, and part of something bigger. Like technology, the television industry has changed dramatically over the past ten years, and this edition of Techmix explores creative careers for a 24/7 society. How, when and where we watch our favourite shows has changed, and continues to evolve as we all tune-in to Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and the soon to be launched, Facebook Live.
JAY HUNT, CHIEF CRE ATIVE OFF ICER, CHANNEL 4 I still get u p in the m orning every day thinking te levision can chang e the worl d.
Whether you are a consumer or producer, we hope this edition of Techmix helps you to explore new roles and opportunities - and helps you avoid making the tea! Techmix is proud to be hosting the Mayor of London’s Digital Careers Roadshow at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea Stadium on September 27th, to connect you with the world’s best digital, creative and media employers. Read our preview on page 23, register for free, and we’ll see you there.
DIAN, E, COME BOB HOP R O H T U ACTOR, A the right ys been in me. a lw a e v I’ e right ti place at th steered e, I rs u Of co ere. myself th
Ed Baker, Publisher
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Techmix is published by Digital Skills Agency Ltd Digital Skills Agency Ltd, 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX. All rights reserved. Copyright © Digital Skills Agency Ltd 2016. Printed by Wyndeham Press Group. Techmix is distributed by The Education Company. Whilst every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and the publisher does not take responsibility for omissions or errors. Techmix does not take responsibility for unsolicited material. Permission to use any of the material contained in this magazine and associated websites should be obtained from Digital Skills Agency Ltd. The views expressed by contributors and advertisers in this publication and on our website do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial team or the publisher. CIRCULATION: 30,000 PER ISSUE / 120,000 COMBINED; JAN-DEC
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SCREENWRITER, COMPOSER, actor, director,
animator, costume designer, visual effects artist, FILM PRODUCER, storyboard artist,
props maker, production designer, EXTRA, stunt performer, comedian, PUPPETEER,
CINEMATOGRAPHER, boom operator, editor, choreographer, location manager,
foley artist, GAFFER or animal handler?
Be inspired. Be moved. Be amazed. Be what you want to be.
BAFTA Guru is packed with career advice and insights from the brightest minds in film, television and games Explore guru.bafta.org 2
CONTENTS
10
COVER FEATURE: The Return of Robot Wars Co-host and Techmix cover star, Angela Scanlon, bursts into a world of metal, electronics and epic battles, electrifying the classic cult TV show. She shares her top picks of the series.
17
BIG DEBATE
25
PATHFINDER
31
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF… LILAH VANDENBURGH
38
A GLOBAL CONNECTION: Technology and Creativity
We put difficult questions to people in the know. This time we ask… “Is TV dead?”
Specialist college courses, apprenticeships, grad schemes or setting up by yourself? Techmix’s pathfinder section discusses options with the people who have lived them and loved them.
Currently working on BBC’s comedy drama Uncle, Lilah talks through a day in her life as a director and co-writer of a hit TV show.
Super-sellers on Fiverr show us how with their ideas that went viral.
More... 4 - BIG PICTURE
Behind the lens; Life on set with Baby Cow Productions for the latest BBC series.
6 - MEGABYTES
19 - CRASH COURSE
42 - HOW CAN TECHNOLOGY
29 - GRAD LIFE
Chief Technology Officer at Cisco UK explains how their latest invention will make you happier.
To write a killer cover letter, all you have to do is follow the crash course.
Hot tech news in byte-sized chunks.
How to secure a place on the grad scheme of your dreams.
8 - TOP FIVE
33 - TECH TALKS
Smart Home Tech Gadgets. Get your house decked out and connected up to make life easy.
16 - JOIN THE DOTS
What job suits your personality? Take the quiz to join the dots.
Your Questions. Their Answers. You grill an industry high-flyer.
34 - REAL LIFE DREAM JOBS
If you have more than one passion in life, how to you choose which to pursue? Troy Dallas tells us how.
STIMULATE CREATIVITY?
52 - BREAK THE MOULD
Education isn’t the best route for everyone, is an apprenticeship the route for you?
57 - DIGITAL DIRECTORY
The latest courses, opportunities and jobs.
64 - LOOKING AHEAD Top tech events near you.
LIFE ON SET
BEHIND THE SCENES:
LIFE ON THE
SET OF UNCLE.
The crew are hard at work, filming for 8 weeks to create the new 7-episode series of the half hour comedy drama. Watch the final cut on BBC Three online and on the BBC in January 2017. Director and co-writer Lilah Vandenburgh works with members of the cast and crew, including stars Nick Helm and Elliot SpencerGillott, and co-writer / co-director Oliver Refson. Turn to Page 31 to read A Day in the Life of… Lilah Vandenburgh.
M E G A BY T ES POKÉMON GONE? Turns out Pokémon Go isn’t as cutting-edge as we thought – 89% of companies are already using the augmented reality tech behind the game’s success! AR is frequently used to let customers preview how something might be in the real world. Whether it’s touring your new bedroom before splashing cash, or getting a sneak-preview of your impending nose job, Pokémon Go’s tech is used for much more than catching Caterpies…
SLEEP SOUNDLY THANKS TO IOT Tech gadgets to help you sleep, or sleep better, aren’t unheard of. But Eight have developed a mattress cover monitors you as you sleep, and adjusts lights and room temperature to your needs. And when it’s time to wake up? It turns the lights on and even gets the coffee brewing…
THE BIONIC MAN? A Balinese man claims to have made a functioning arm out of scrap metal, that works through receiving signals from his brain and sending them down to his hand. I Wayan Sumardana has been dubbed “Iron Man” and “cyborg” by the local press, and, despite the doubts of technology experts as to the credibility of his invention, has become a local celeb.
WHOOP LIKE PHELPS If you watched Michael Phelps claim his 23rd Olympic Gold medal this summer, you might have spotted the black wristband worn religiously every race. This is the tech that gets you competing like a champion. Whoop is lightweight, waterproof and analyses your strain, recovery and sleep, whilst making recommendations to enhance your performance. So that’s 23, and counting…
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THE TECH TO WATCH AT TOKYO 2020 Rio hosted the most high-tech Olympics yet, but fast forward 4 years, and Japan is on track to break more than just sporting records. Expect to experience man-made meteor showers live through your VR headset, from the comfort of your sofa. Tokyo is set to pioneer the most realistic broadcasting tech you’ve ever experienced.
megabytes news
▲
GOING UP GOING DOWN ▼ s UP: Windows Holographic
WILL ARM-HOLDINGS’ TAKEOVER MEAN MORE JOBS FOR YOU? ARM-Holdings - British computer chip makers - is set to be taken over by Japanese company Softbank – for a hefty £24bn! While some industry specialists are criticising the move, Softbank have committed to ‘at least’ doubling ARM’s existing UK workforce. Could this mean loads more jobs for Computer Science grads?
FORMULA PI: AWESOME TECH YOU CAN’T BUY YET A small Cambridge company have developed a way for you to code your own car – and compete in driverless races to test your skills! The toy robots zoom around a colourful 20-meter race track, their success (or failure) dependent on the quality of your coding. Formula Pi’s tech team hope that these little autonomous autos will calm people’s nerves when it comes to self-driving cars – the full-size versions!
SAY GOODBYE TO SUMMERTIME SNEEZING Dyson have developed a fan that purifies the air as it spins. With Pure Cool Link, pollen and pollution indoors are a thing of the past. What’s even better, it has Wi-Fi so you can control it from your Android or iOS device.
Entering a holographic world of your computer screen will be possible by 2017 for anyone with a Windows 10 PC (or any device that can support HoloLens).
s UP: Mars Mirrors Earth
Curiosity Rover shoots 360 image of Mars, and it looks surprisingly familiar. NASA reveals footage of the planet that looks eerily similar to areas in South-West America.
t DOWN: Twitter Twitters’ die-hard fan base are so devoted to the original developments Twitter makes lead to user losses – but to win new users it’ll have to keep evolving.
t DOWN: Digital downloads Vinyl sales are on the up as music lovers ditch digital. Why? The quality of sound is richer, and there’s a much better guarantee of quality.
DRONES GIVE FARMERS BIRDS-EYE VIEWS A growing number of farmers are using ex-military aviation technology to grow their crops. For these farmers, drones are low-cost skycameras. Their low-altitude view gives farmers a rare new perspective on their land – and its higher resolution, cheaper than ever before (and a whole lot more fun).
THE SKYSCRAPER WHERE BLUE MEETS GREEN China claims that its tallest skyscraper – Shanghai Tower - is also the greenest. The 128-floor building is the first supertall structure to be awarded the top green rating. But sceptics argue that ‘green skyscraper’ is an oxymoron. Skyscrapers use more resources, and block sunlight and trap hot air and pollutants at ground level. We say, it’s hard to say for sure until you’ve experienced it… flights please?
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SMART HOME TECH GADGETS
P O T 5
The Internet of Things is poised to put each and every inanimate object online, making living unbelievably easy – and oh man, we can’t wait! Smart home tech is no longer a distant dream; we’re getting our houses decked with the latest kit so even the most ordinary tasks will make you feel like a Jedi Master. Here’s what the experts at Maplin recommend as the latest, greatest gadgets on the high street.
MOTOROLA FOCUS 85 WI-FI CAMERA
1 2
The very latest in Wi-Fi cameras, this beast streams real time high definition video straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer. Video chat with your friends, leaving your hands free to play GTA, whilst the 40 degree viewing angle, and the pan, tilt and zoom functions give full 360-degree coverage. Look mum, no hands! - £69.99
PHILIPS HUE GO PORTABLE SMART LIGHT Portable, cordless, LED AND controlled remotely by an app on your smart phone. With this lamp, the perfect ambiance follows you everywhere you go. The only thing it’s missing is mad colour changing… oh, wait. It’s got that too?!
3
- £79.99
4
HIVE ACTIVE HEATING AND HOT WATER Heating bills, shmeating bills. The Hive controller allows you to regulate heating and hot water wherever you are. Small but mighty, it can do a lot more than save money (though it does that too – a hefty £150 a year!). You can also schedule hot water slots (up to 6 a day) or use the Geolocation feature - so you can turn on the heating on your way home! Hot shower after footie? Sorted.
SMARTER IKETTLE 2.0 Your turn to put the kettle on? Sit that bum back down and use your smartphone, tablet or laptop to get the kettle boiling – from anywhere in the house. Including your bed. Plus you can set the temperature to anywhere between 20°C and 100°C for the perfect cuppa. That’s 30 extra seconds you can spend laying in bed watching a Lamborghini towing a trailer full of goats (https://goo.gl/dSoHhy), because, why not?
- £99.99
5
- £179
SMARTER COFFEE WI-FI COFFEE MAKER Ever wanted to remotely brew coffee from anywhere in your house? No? Well next time you need an extra tenner from your Mum, magically brew up a fresh cup with Smarter Coffee, and you’ve sweetened the deal. Flick the coffee maker to ‘wake-up’ mode and even Grumpy Grandad will start the day happy when his nostrils are filled with the smoothing smell of freshly ground coffee oozing throughout the house! This one’s a family pleaser.
- £179.99
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www.maplin.co.uk
9
THE RETURN OF ROBOT WARS B
ack on BBC2, Robot Wars brings its brutal battles – where meticulously handcrafted, intricately engineered lumps of metal are crushed to pieces – to our TV screens once more.
Robot Wars is back after a 12-year break and an exponential advance in technology. It’s the only show on TV where the razor sharp blades are matched with razor sharp wit. Aweinspiring tech and highly skilled amateur roboteers unite for another series of ferocious fighting, white-hot weaponry, and some ridiculous team outfits. It is the winning (and rare) combination
of ingenious engineering, unforgiving ferocity, and wild showmanship, that makes this show so unique.
Most of the robots are made using Hardox, an abrasion-resistant steel, for protection. This metal gets tougher the more hits it takes. Some robots can cost around £25,000 to make, and immeasurable hours of physical labour too. The finished robots fight it out in a bullet-proof arena, complete with flame pit, floor flipper, arena spikes, and the pit of oblivion – to the jeers of adoring robot fanatics.
We chat to the show’s fresh-faced cohost Angela Scanlon, and esteemed roboticist Prof. Sethu Vijayakumar, to get their take on the series’ revamp and the future of robotics. We also talk to some contestants to see what it takes to make it in the Robot Wars game. Finally, we dish out the coveted Techmix Robot Wars Awards! Who will be crowned this year’s most fearsome competitor? FLICK TO BBC2 ON SUNDAYS AT 8PM FOR THE LATEST EPISODTE, OR BINGE-WATCH THE WHOLE SERIES ON BBC IPLAYER – WE DARE YOU TO RESIST.
World leading roboticist, ruthless adjudicator, and robot-building bad-ass, Professor Sethu Vijayakumar FRSE joins the judging panel for the first time in this series of Robot Wars. The brains behind NASA’s Valkyrie (that will be the first robot to visit Mars alone), we chat to him about the future of robotics. “Robot Wars highlights the future for machines; shared autonomy and close human/robot collaboration. Many robots in this series demonstrate how to marry the drivers’ skills – some amazingly young – with the power and precision of advanced robotic hardware, along with resilient, lightweight materials. Robots are becoming increasingly ingrained in modern life, from manufacturing and mechanics to exoskeletons and prosthetics, and semi-autonomous transport systems.
PROFESSOR SETHU VIJAYAKUMAR FRSE Microsoft Chair - Senior Research Engineer in Robotics, Edinburgh University Director, Edinburgh Centre for Robotics
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We need research and skilled manpower for the UK to become a leader in robotics. Ringside views delivered through the latest tracking and video technology, along with critical analysis from the judges, makes Robot Wars a wonderful opportunity to engage young minds in these topics as never before. As long as you have the passion, there is always a role for you in the Robot Wars ‘circle of life’.”
THE QUEENS OF ROBOT WARS Tell us a bit about the tech – what’s changed? The technology has moved on so much. Batteries are so much smaller and lighter which means that the ‘roboteers’ can pack in really powerful motors or add weight to the weapon. There are some ferocious machines competing.
ANGELA SCANLON, CO-HOST ROBOT WARS 2016
Flame-haired fashionista Angela Scanlon has burst into a world of metal, electronics and relentless battles, bringing a fresh new energy to this cult classic. She talks technology, women in tech, and gives us her take on how the show has progressed since the last series.
DR LUCY ROGERS
Who is she? Robot Wars judge, PhD in Bubbles (Fluid Dynamics), Chartered Engineer, author of It’s ONLY Rocket Science. What are her tech credentials? Lucy has a PhD in Engineering, is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society. She’s also a member of the Association of British Science Writers and the Women’s Institute. Fun fact? Lucy programmed the animatronic dinosaurs at a theme park on the Isle of Wight!
It’s been 12 years since the last series, why do you think it has returned now? The original series was perhaps ahead of its time, but it ran out of steam because of a stall in technological advancements. That 12-year gap has seen everything change! Plus, people say that they can’t help smiling when they watch the show, that’s the nicest thing to hear. It’s escapism, a glimpse into a pretty wonderful world… Were any contestants in this series inspired by the previous series growing up? Yes, quite a few. One girl, Esme (team Sabretooth), was born when her Mum went into labour on the way home from
MATILDA
a Robot Wars competition. She was back on a team with her dad, firing the weapon! There were lots of young guys who grew up watching the show and were drawn towards careers in that area which is pretty amazing. Tech shows are so often maledominated, what are your thoughts on women in tech and how TV / the media portrays that? On Robot Wars we have some amazing women and there’s definitely a greater female influence since the first iteration. Dr Lucy Rogers is an inspiring role model for females in this space and very passionate about representation and female voices not only on TV but within the associated industries. Hopefully this series will inspire a new generation of girls to build bots!
TURN TO PAGE 13 FOR AN EXCLUSIVE ON ANGELA’S FAVOURITE BOTS
APRIL
Who is she? One of Robot Wars’ most fearsome house robots.
Who is she? Team Captain and Designer of contestant robot Glitterbomb.
What are her tech credentials? Matilda weighs 350kg, has a doublebladed spinning flywheel that spins 25 times per second, can move at up to 14mph, and lift up to 1.5 tons. She knows a thing or two about robots – and won’t respond kindly to anyone who says otherwise.
What are her tech credentials? April has 9-years’ worth of experience of playing with robots, and two miniarenas/practice areas at home where she has honed her roboteering skills. She designed the 105kg pink fluffy robot, with a powerful pneumatic axe – which has 1.2tonnes of force behind it and can strike at up to 120mph. Pretty nifty for a girl in Year 5!
Fun Fact? With her new flywheel, Matilda is now one of the most dangerous house robots, with the power to throw a contestant robot out of the arena. So don’t mess with the girls.
Fun Fact? April is only in year 5 and already a tech whizz. She even makes Mark Zuckerberg, who was 11 when he invented his first messenger system, look pretty slack!
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MICHAEL, 17
ALEX, 15 TEAM: TR2
TEAM: ERUPTION
TEAM ROLE: CAPTAIN, DRIVER AND CO-ENGINEER
TEAM ROLE: CAPTAIN, DESIGNER, BUILDER, DRIVER
OCCUPATION: STUDENT
OCCUPATION: STUDENT
You’ve taken part in many amateur robot competitions, what makes TR2 different from other robots you’ve built and battled? TR2 is the only full pressure heavyweight the team have owned; also the gearboxes are on another level – they were custom built by Mike Lambert from the Dantomkia team back in the original Robot Wars! Where does your passion for engineering come from? Well you could say it’s in my blood – I’m a direct descendent of George Stephenson, the great engineer and father of railways! But it’s proven by the fact I build and fight combat robots as a hobby. It takes a certain type of person to travel all around the country every month to smash up somebody else’s machine!
What inspired you to get into amateur robotics? The original series of Robot Wars! I first watched the show when I was just 2 years old, and I’ve loved it ever since. I got involved with live events in 2004, so I’ve been fighting robots for over a decade now. Eruption features the rare combination of flipper and gripper, what was the toughest thing about making that? With just its flipper, Eruption won the UK Championships twice, but Robot Wars gave us an additional 10kg and the opportunity to showcase to the whole country. We wanted to do something really original, so we added a pneumatic claw! We had only a month to fit an entire second weapons system, but it was a great challenge!
BATTLING IT OUT IN THE PITS LET’S MEET THE CONTESTANTS DAN, 21
LOUISE, 26 TEAM: CRAZY COUPE 88
TEAM: IRONSIDE 3
TEAM ROLE: WEAPONS
TEAM ROLE: SUPPORT
OCCUPATION: DESIGN APPRENTICE
OCCUPATION: CHILD SETTING MANAGER
How does your role in Crazy Coupe 88 compare to your day job? Well, by day I am a design apprentice, but I’m also studying for my Level 2 in Engineering. Within the team, I helped build and weld the front and rear A frames which hold the weapons. On the show, I control the front weapon and spinning bar. My job gave me the knowledge and skills to take a hands-on approach in fabrication and fitting with CNC programming. What was your favourite moment? There were too many to name! But the big rush came when I heard the “3-2-1 Activate!” for the first time. All plans instantly went out of the window – it was just a raw battle for your robot’s life!
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How long did it take you to build Ironside 3? Around 5 weeks, with the whole team working every minute we had. Adam and Trevor worked really hard to get everything done, with a little help from me. So what’s it like to to be a part of Robot Wars? There is an amazing sense of community backstage. There are many roboteers I’ve met on the show that I now call friends. Engineering is inclusive for all ages and genders; anyone with the will and desire can build a robot in their garage with just a bit of research. Build up your skills and anyone can make a robot in 5 weeks, just like us!
ANGELA’S TOP PICKS
E V I S U L EXC
The show’s electric new co-host, Angela Scanlon, picks out the most brutal, the most fearsome and the most entertaining teams of the series.
BEST SELF-TAUGHT TEAM:
MOST FEARSOME COMPETITOR:
PULSAR
CARBIDE
Angela says: “Pulsar is an incredible machine built by a self-taught young guy called Ellis who learned from watching YouTube videos!”
Angela says: “Carbide is an absolute monster – once you hear the ‘death hum’, it’s over.”
MOST BRUTAL WEAPONRY:
BEST CHOREOGRAPHED ENTRANCE:
GABRIEL Angela says: “Gabriel (named after the Arch Angel) is an incredible machine with interchangeable weapons. Essentially two giant wheels with different axe heads; it’s almost impossible to approach tactically.”
APOLLO Angela says: “I love the teams who really commit to choreographed entrances and really interesting designs. The technology has to be there in order for a team to progress but if they can combine a killer machine with a memorable aesthetic then it’s a winner!”
YOUNGEST CONTESTANT:
APRIL Angela says: “Look out for April from Glitterbomb, she’s my hero!!”
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fdmgroup.com
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TOP 3
TIPS FOR LANDING YOUR DREAM JOB
1. 3.
HAVE A CAREER PLAN Evidence shows that when you write your goals down, you are more likely to stick to them and this is amplified further if you tell someone else what you want to achieve. Looking to be the next Steve Jobs? Why not! Be bold and ambitious and map out what you need to do to help you get there.
Here’s a startling fact to consider: you are likely to spend around a third of your life at work. Well, until you retire anyway. Or unless you win the lottery! That’s on average 1,950 hours a year. It’s a lot! So how can you ensure you make the right choice? To find out, we met the UK's leading IT graduate employer, FDM, who asked their employees for their top 3 tips on how to land a dream role:
2.
MAKE SURE THE COMPANY VALUES MATCH YOUR OWN
FIND A MENTOR AND GOOD SUPPORT NETWORKS Some of the most successful people in business, and certainly throughout FDM, have mentors and go on to mentor others. So if you have the opportunity, grab it! People are what drive business so making these connections can open a lot of doors. Willis Vincent, a graduate from the University of Northampton, joined the FDM Careers Programme. Four years on he is now managing 74 people at a world leading bank largely due to the strength of relationships and networks he had built.
Most organisations will have a set of values which shape how they conduct business and reflect their working environment. How do these fit with your own personal values? If you don’t have a good culture fit, that 1,950 hours a year will feel like an eternity. Study the company, look at past success stories, and carefully assess whether that career and organisation will help you achieve your goals.
www.fdmgroup.com #fdmcareers
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JOINING UP THE DOTS WHAT JOB SUITS YOUR PERSONALITY?
Y
ou are unique, and your personality can be your biggest asset for securing and succeeding in a job. Different strengths, outlooks and skillsets make a company well-rounded and successful. In this issue we focus on digital jobs within media and creative industries. Want to be the next big film editor? TV Producer? 3D Animator? Take our flow-chart to find out what kind of role your personality is best suited to. Then head to TechmixMag.com to see the jobs you can apply for today! Let’s get started…
START
Y
DOES EVERYTHING YOU DO HAVE TO BE ORGANISED?
N
ARE YOU AN EXPERT PROBLEM SOLVER?
N
DO YOU USUALLY MAKE LOGICAL CHOICES?
ARE YOU BURSTING WITH NEW IDEAS?
N
Y
Y
N DO YOU THRIVE IN A STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT?
N
Y
N
DO YOU LIKE USING MACHINES?
DO YOU TEND TO SEE THINGS FROM MANY PERSPECTIVES?
THESE MAY NOT BE FOR YOU BUT THERE’S PLENTY MORE OPTIONS!
N
Y Y
OPERATIONS
You absolutely love a list. Better than that, you love to tick things off that list. You’re organised, a strong leader, and always in the know.
Producer
Agen
t
Location Ma
nager
Project Manager
Press Officer
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Y
TECHNICAL You love to play around with technology, getting stuck into new difficult projects, and challenging yourself. You’re methodical, logical and do everything the best you can.
Post Sou Production nd Tec hni cia n re twa r Motion f o S e ine Graphics Eng Visual Effects @techmixmag
CREATIVE You’re a free spirit. You like to express yourself in whatever you do and if it’s a bit off the wall, all the better. Your intuition guides you and you love exploring the places that freedom can take you.
Actor / Presenter hic Grap t Artis
Anim
ator
Director Costume Designer
BIG DEBATE
“ IS TV DEAD? ”
NO
TV rolled into our homes in the 50s on gigantic wheelable trollies, gracing our grandparents with glorious, grainy monochrome. Cut forward to today, and we’ve got our entertainment, literally, in the palms of our hands – whenever and wherever we want it. But does new technology mean the end of traditional TV?
Richard Grocock Development Producer Baby Cow Productions
TV is evolving for sure, but it’s definitely not dead: in fact, you could argue that it’s getting bigger and better. For starters, just look at programmes like Sherlock, The Big Bang Theory, Catastrophe, Making a Murderer, Game of Thrones, I’m a Celebrity… All hugely popular, all absolutely TV shows.
YES
Charmzy Rapper Charmzy Music
We don’t need TV anymore, we’re all too busy for it. Platforms like YouTube, Netflix and on demand TV fit in with modern lifestyles because we can watch what we want, when we want.
As a rapper, I’m constantly on the go; writing music, producing beats, and I’ve also set up my own clothing line. So Then consider that the big online subscription services like when I want to catch up with entertainment and relax, I watch Netflix and Amazon are actually making the TV market more films online because I don’t have time to go to the cinema, Global, and generating their own high-end content – this is pushing “localised” broadcasters to really innovate and be even and with apps and smartphones I can watch TV shows on my phone wherever I am. I’m too busy to sit down and watch TV more ambitious. And as the ambition grows, TV’s attracting because even though I have a supportive team helping me, I bigger stars too… can’t leave them to it and spend an hour watching the TV. Of course, the massive range of content on online platforms is making TV broadcasters rethink – some are now trying out shorter, more experimental content; most are creating online videos to support their main programmes, to give their viewers a richer experience. And now we watch video via the internet and on gadgets, broadcasters have actively embraced new technology – whether it’s catching up on the iPlayer, or playing along, live, with The Million Pound Drop on the App. And when you watch one show, Smart TVs suggest other relevant content you might enjoy. All this innovation isn’t harming TV, it’s helping it. Oh, and the actual televisions we buy for our homes are getting much bigger – does that sound like a dying medium? So yes, TV is changing, but it’s absolutely alive and kicking. And while the audience wants it, there’ll be “TV” – even if it may look a little different…
YouTube and Snapchat are so successful because they provide entertainment and information immediately, on demand. I’d much rather watch a music video or funny short film that’s quick to watch than sit down in front of the telly. Also, nowadays TV dramas are so predictable – and lots of my friends feel the same. I have many supporters on social media, Instagram, Periscope and Snapchat. In order to keep this social family growing, I’m always feeding them with something new and better to keep them wanting more, and spreading the word about what I’m doing to their friends. We need entertainment and news that can reach us wherever we are, whenever we want it. TV can’t do this – and that’s why it’s dying.
WHAT’S YOUR VIEW? HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE COMMENTS SECTION OF WWW.TECHMIX.COM 17
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COVER LETTER
CRASH COURSE ALTHOUGH IT’S OFTEN CALLED A ‘COVER LETTER’, IT’S GENERALLY NOT A PHYSICAL LETTER AT ALL, BUT AN EMAIL YOU SEND ALONG WITH YOUR CV. IT CAN BE SENT AS AN EMAIL ATTACHMENT, AND IS REFERRED TO AS A ‘SUPPORTING STATEMENT’ OR ‘ADDITIONAL INFORMATION’ IN APPLICATION FORMS. If you’re feeling confident, you could try something a bit more creative – but if you do venture out, make sure you’re still following all of the tips above too… Alice Lee designed an interactive website as her application to Instagram, complete with Instagram stream and a beautiful design. Charlie Drozdyk wrote a ‘Getting to Know Charlie’ cover letter when applying to be a copywriter. He quoted friends and family saying odd things about his personality, demonstrating his writing skills and sense of humour. Graeme Anthony, a PR practitioner, uploaded an interactive video application to YouTube to showcase his skills and ingenuity – and it landed him a job at Manc Frank!
S
o, you’ve found it, your dream job. It must be yours! All you have to do is get through those doors to wow your future boss in an interview… Every organisation is different. Some ask for CVs, others ask you to fill in application forms. Either way, you’ll almost always have to submit a cover letter of some kind. Here are some top tips to make you stand out from the rest!
STRIVE TO STAND OUT • RESEARCH THE COMPANY What do you like about them? Why do you want to work for them? Tell them – and be specific! •
READ THE JOB DESCRIPTION CAREFULLY Is this job perfect for you? Are you perfect for the job? If so, WHY? Tell them, it’s your time to shine!
• MAKE SURE YOU ADDRESS EVERY POINT ON THE PERSON SPECIFICATION Using clear topic sentences is really useful, or even turning each point into a mini-heading within your letter makes sure it is very clear, readable and on-point throughout. • SHOW YOUR PASSION! Why do you love this job? What excites you about it? Why do you want to do it now, at this stage in your career? Make it personal, and your brilliance will shine through! • BE CONFIDENT You’re great, and you need the people reading the letter to know that too. •
BE HONEST Don’t pretend you have 300 years’ worth of experience if you don’t. But DO talk about how keen and able you are to learn.
• BE CLEAR AND CONCISE Use specific examples, and check carefully for spelling and grammar mistakes. •
ADDRESS YOUR LETTER TO THE RIGHT PERSON They’ll be impressed if you’ve gone to the trouble of finding out. 19 19
DIGITAL CAREERS SHOW
CENTRAL HALL WESTMINSTER 1 3 . 1 2 . 1 6 The Mayor of London’s careers and networking event is dedicated to inspiring young technology leaders of the future. This one-of-a-kind annual skills and innovation summit explores how the technology and creative industries are transforming the world as we know it. See the technology industry through fresh eyes with twelve mind-blowing speeches from business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs that cover everything from space travel to AI, idea conception to running a world-class company. The UK is the beating heart of technology and innovation within Europe, and London is the powerhouse at the forefront. On 13th December, Digital Careers Show welcomes 15-28 year olds to London at its largest and most majestic conference venue, to reimagine the future of technology and to ignite the careers of ambitious talent. 2016’s most exhilarating technology event will bring together the leaders of tomorrow with the most inspiring industry innovators of the moment. 20
digital evolution
DIGITAL CAREERS SHOW
BE A PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL
is free to attend but places are limited and you must present your ticket on entry.
Get your hands on one of only 1,500 tickets now. Email Westminster@ TechmixMag.com with your name and the number of tickets you require.
CAN’T GET TICKETS? Watch and partake in the speeches live on MyStream at TechmixMag.com
PAST EXHIBITORS INCLUDE: FIVERR CITY & GUILDS UFI TRUST QTONE CISCO FORD TECH PARTNERSHIPS O2 INTERCHANGE
BALFOUR BEATTY DIGITAL FUTURES EXTERION MEDIA GAMES LONDON ORACLE ACADEMY MEDIACOM SIEMENS TATA CONSULTANCY IBM
knockknockhq.com
JUNIPER PWC VISU.AL BRITISH ARMY SPEEDING FILMS ROYAL AIRFORCE CAPCO DELIVEROO JUST IT ITV
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DIGITAL CAREERS SHOW
TECH MENTOR WITH FIVERR
r Box e p p o C Arena 16 7th July
Supercharge your CV with a little help from the freelance creatives on Fiverr. They’ll whip your CV into shape, so get ready to dazzle hiring recruiters across the show floor!
CARTECH ZONE
SPEAKER SUMMIT WORKSHOP ZONE
Car Tech is the future. Accelerating the innovation in transport through the latest tech is what’s driving Ford to be the leaders in the market.
The current leaders, movers and shakers in the technology sector stand up to give you their advice on how to break into the industry, knowing your edge, what the future holds and discuss the hot topics of the moment.
LIVE PRODUCT DEMOS
Get stuck in at the workshop zone. Companies from across the industry teach you the specialist skills they use every day at work, in entertaining, bite-sized sessions.
The very latest tech that’s taking the industry by storm fills the room, with demos from the very people who made it.
F I N D Y O U R N E X T PAT H W A Y AT T E C H M I X D I G I TA L C A R E E R S S H O W “A great opportunity to meet potential students and build networks with tech/digital employers.” Lesley Thain, Head of Employer Engagement and Co-founder at Silicon Hack
22
“It was such an honor to have Fiverr included in Techmix Digital Careers Show. Through this event, we have been able to successfully recruit some bright new talent to our platform as sellers, and truly believe in the notion ‘where talent meets opportunity.’” Liron Smadja, Marketing Manager, Fiverr
“We offered three young graduates the opportunity to work with us after meeting them at the Digital Careers Show in Camden”
“We found [Digital Careers Show] to be a brilliant way to engage the young people of north London and beyond. The quality of exhibitors was excellent and the location was awesome.”
Imran Khan, CEO of Pinro Technologies Jonathan Lindon, CEO of Digital Futures
DIGITAL CAREERS SHOW TUESDAY 27 TH SEPTEMBER 2016 - STAMFORD BRIDGE (HOME OF CHELSEA FC) Techmix Digital Careers Show is back and set to take over South London’s Stamford Bridge (home of Chelsea FC) for another action-packed day of job hunting, advice and inspiration from the industry’s most innovative leaders. DCS is London’s touring careers show focused solely on the digital, technology, creative and media industries. Run by Techmix, on behalf of the Mayor of London, the event series has already triumphed this year at Camden Roundhouse and the Olympic Park’s Copper Box Arena, connecting over 5,000 young job hunters with hiring tech employers.
The next event will be held on Tuesday 27th September at Stamford Bridge, where 50 fast-paced, innovative technology companies will be actively hiring for over 150 jobs. It’s the perfect event for young, tech-savvy individuals choosing their next pathway. Whether it’s inspiration, ideas, or a job you want to leave with, there is someone at DCS looking for you. Starting at 9am, day is a hive of information with speakers, interactive workshops, live product demos of the latest tech right through until 4pm.
CHECK THE FULL SCHEDULE AND REGISTER FOR TICKETS ONLINE AT TECHMIXMAG.COM/DCS-SOUTH COME ARMED WITH YOUR TICKET AND A FEW CV’S AND WE’LL SEE YOU AT KICK-OFF!
DREAM BIG. LIVE BIG. YOUR DIGITAL FUTURE.
Y O U R
D I G I T A L
FUN
F U T U R E
FACTS: DID YOU KNOW?
72% 50% 65% 90%
of employers are unwilling to interview candidates without basic IT skills
of employers are in search of specialist, technical roles and are unable to find people with those skills
of primary school children will be working in roles that do not yet exist
2025, 2030,
there will be 51,500 technology companies in London alone
2 billion current jobs will have disappeared as a result of technological advances
BIG
MARISSA MAYER – President and CEO of Yahoo! STEVE JOBS – Co-founder and CEO of Apple Inc. CEO of Pixar.
1. a) SJ
b) MM
a. Dropped out of your chemical
engineering degree to change healthcare as we know it.
b. Created a revolutionary social media.
b. Wear something loose because
And got sued. A lot.
you’re having twins.
c. Dropped out and snuck into a
c. Show your contempt by rocking up
calligraphy class and now all computers have beautiful typography.
in a bathrobe and flip-flops.
d. Wear whatever Steve Jobs is wearing. b) EH
c) MM
Sooooo...
At university you:
mock-turtleneck.
2. a) MZ
b. I’m about to save all your lives.
d. Nothing. Siri speaks for you.
a. Reach for your trusty black
d) EH
a. I’m CEO, bitch.
come back!
It’s a pivotal meeting and you want to look the part. Do you:
c) MZ
Your business card says:
c. We’re just like Google... wait,
ELIZABETH HOLMES – CEO Theranos (blood test tech). At 30, youngest selfmade female billionaire.
Imma be... rich, famous and successful! So says will.i.am, but which genius tech entrepreneur are you? Answer the next four questions, to see if you’re:
billion
jobs will be replaced with jobs that don’t even exist yet, thanks to advances in power, transport, education, 3D printing and robotics
MARK ZUCKERBERG - Creator of Facebook. Self-made billionaire by age 23.
BRAIN
ANSWERS:
2
These
By
By
90% of new jobs require digital skills
d) SJ
d. Were a ballerina in The Nutcracker. 3. a) EH
b) MZ
c) SJ
d) MM
REAL LIFE DREAM JOBS Keep reading and find the right next step for you…
GRAD SCHEMES
A DAY IN THE LIFE
TECH TALKS Explore jobs you never knew existed, and step into an industry professional’s shoes in “A Day in the Life of…”. Peek behind the scenes on set and learn about the tech it takes to make your favourite TV shows. Whilst Tech Talks gives you the chance to grill the industry’s top dogs and get the juiciest secrets of their success out of them once and for all!
APPRENTICESHIPS
The Pathfinder is here to help. It points you in the direction of specialist courses, exploring the pros and exposing the cons of apprenticeships and grad schemes. Our advice comes directly from those with first-hand experience – written by those who are currently on, or have recently completed, the pathways they’re discussing.
OPPORTUNITIES
You’ve got the hunger, you’ve got the drive, you’re ready to be the next big thing! But there are a lot of big decisions to make and so many paths you could take before success is yours. Where do you start?
COURSES
DIGITAL
PATHF I N D E R
Creative Careers
SPECIALIST COLLEGE COURSES KICK-START CREATIVES CAREERS
Adele Peleschka Photo Credit: Noah White
W
hen choosing your options and picking those classes, it’s easy to internally panic shout “I don’t want to close any doors! I want all the options!”. If you aren’t sure of the exact career you want to go into yet, then this is definitely the best thing to do. But if you were born to be a dancer then get yourself to dance school! And it’s the same with tech. If you know, then specialise because the more experience you have the better.
Adele Peleschka joined The BRIT School in Croydon in Year 10, to study Visual Art and Design, then in Year 12 began studying Interactive Digital Design - a vocational course that she is currently completing. She chose to specialise into a niche area of design from a young age, because, with a strong passion for the art, she knows this is the right pathway for her career and wanted to get a head start. We chatted with Adele to hear about the course she chose and why. Hi Adele, of all the college courses in the world, why did you choose this one? I originally started at Brit School doing Visual Arts and Design, but became increasingly comfortable working with more contemporary technological mediums. Interactive Digital Design bridges the gap between 26
traditional and digital mediums, allowing me to express myself in a way that feels more ‘me’. We’ve learnt really advanced skills, such as 3D animation, and have access to some amazing designers, exhibitions, and shows. We’ve also got incredibly dedicated and supportive teachers. What is your main passion? My main passion is 3D modeling and animation. It’s something I used to experiment with a lot before I came to Brit School, and then fell in love with it! What is your dream job and why? To be a video game animator. Video games have been something I’ve loved since I was young; some of my earliest memories are watching my dad or uncle play the PS2 or Xbox360. Once I started secondary school they became a huge stress release for me. I’m also a really big fan of animation and find a lot of joy in animating things – 2D and 3D. Who is your career role model? The person in the video games industry that I aspire to be is the games designer/director Hideki Kamiya. He’s the driving force behind some of my alltime favourite video games, like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta, and is someone I hope to work with one day. If you could work for any company in the world, who would it be and why?
www.brit.croydon.sch.uk
-
@BRITSchoolIDD
Nintendo really stands out. It’s been a huge part of my life from a really young age and I always come back to games such as Legend of Zelda and Pokémon whenever I’m upset, stressed or need inspiration. I owe a lot to Nintendo, and I’d like to repay the favour.
THREE KEYS TO SUCCESS: 1. KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS. 2. FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS. 3. TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK.
PATHFINDER
Creative Careers
THE APPRENTICE: YOU’RE HIRED!
Shaquille Robinson
G
oing straight into work after finishing college can be daunting, and certainly isn’t for everyone. But for some, leaving school and learning in a working environment is the perfect step. So to help you choose if it’s the right one for you, we chatted with a current apprentice to see what the deal really is.
like Fresh Prince Of Bel Air with Will Smith and The Crust with Reggie Yates.
Tell us a bit about your journey from student to BBC Apprentice. I studied Level 3 in Creative Media Production at the BRIT School from Year 12, on the Broadcast and Digital Communication stream (now renamed Film and Media Production). BRIT School’s practical teaching meant I Shaquille Robinson is 19 years old and created radio shows from scratch, and currently working as the Production filmed and edited short form video at Apprentice on Charlie Sloth’s BBC college. So through those two years I Radio 1xtra show. After studying in the gained experience, confidence and a Film and Media Production department great deal of determination. at The BRIT School, he beat hundreds of other hopefuls to the job. He tells us So what’s it like to be a BBC why he chose an apprenticeship over Apprentice?! You’re thrown in the deep end other pathways, how he secured his place, and what the future holds for him straight away. On my first day with the Visualisation team I filmed Nick as a result. Grimshaw and Greg James doing a Hi Shaquille, growing up, what was your workout video with Lorraine Kelly, edited it, and broadcast it to over 3 million dream job? subscribers. I’ve worked on live events My dream job as little Shaq was like Big Weekend, live TV like Strictly to be a TV personality. Someone Come Dancing It Takes Two, and radio recognisable, respected, and too. Everyone has so much belief in entertaining. I was inspired by shows you that you can’t help but believe in yourself. From personal experience, what do you think about apprenticeships as a career parthway? I can’t stress enough how great apprenticeships are. You learn, work, and get paid. You’re debt free and making the contacts that will lead to a job long before your friends have www.brit.croydon.sch.uk
finished university. I’m only 19 and my apprenticeship has helped me to know exactly where I want to go and how to get there. What does the future hold for Shaquille Robinson? My main aim is to be a presenter on Radio 1xtra by the age of 21, and build my social media presence so I can be a stand-alone brand away from any company.
WHAT 3 TOP CAREER TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 16-YEAROLD SELF? 1. STICK TO ONE OF YOUR TALENTS SO YOU CAN REALLY MASTER IT. 2. DON’T WATCH WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING BECAUSE EVERYBODY’S PATH IN LIFE IS DIFFERENT. 3. EVEN WHEN HURDLES BLOCK YOUR PATH, KNOW YOU HAVE THE POWER TO OVERCOME THEM. FOR EVERY HURDLE THERE IS A LESSON LEARNED TO MAKE YOU A BETTER YOU.
- youtube/BRITSchoolFilms
27
PATHF I N D E R
Creative Careers
silicon {hack} HACK YOURlaunching WAY TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE at Central Foundation Silicon Hack: the brand new course for tech innovators Boys School in September 2016!
Curriculum Overview the subject for one year. If you learn best by doing, you’ll thrive on Silicon Hack. It’s the perfect stepping stone to progress into high quality apprenticeships, school leaver programmes, and entry level jobs.
sector. We work with apprenticeship providers to ensure that the course adequately prepares students for level 4 apprenticeships. For the students who want to go on to University, we offer the opportunity to study a second qualification in the second year.
Qualification: Level 3 - Cambridge Technical in IT LLOYD STEVENS
Head of IT at Central Foundation Boys School Co-founder of Silicon Hack
S
pecialist tech education is more sought after than ever before. But with many courses available, it’s hard to find the right one for you. We spoke to two of London’s leading tech teachers to get their advice on where to go for the best specialist education. Teachers, help! We want a specialist IT education – where should we go?! Lloyd: Silicon Hack, our one-year vocational IT course for 16-18 year olds! You’ll study towards a Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT focusing on the Application Developer strand. You’ll learn key languages including: Python, SQL, Django, HTML, JavaScript and CSS. Why is Silicon Hack different to other courses available at 6th form level? Lloyd: There’s an urgent need to revolutionise how we learn vocational IT, to ensure students are properly prepared for the modern workplace. Silicon Hack takes a project based learning approach. You study from 9-4 every day, becoming fully immersed in
/siliconhack
Sounds great, where’s it based? Lesley: Just off Old Street Roundabout. Based at Central Foundation Boys’ School, Silicon Hack is separated from the main school in its own building and dedicated tech and enterprise hub. You’ll feel like you’re in a functioning business environment, working on real life projects in the heart of one of the world’s greatest locations for tech start-ups. Why should we choose this course above other BTEC or A-Level IT options? Lloyd: Silicon Hack is very hands-on and ensures that you have the industry knowledge and skills needed to access jobs within the tech sector. It’s full-time, so you’re solely dedicated to studying tech. If you’re serious about getting ahead in the tech sector, then by the time you complete Silicon Hack, you’ll be ready to jump right onto the career ladder! What happens after you graduate from Silicon Hack? Lesley: Silicon Hack aims to prepare you for entry level jobs in the tech
SP E
F I DE
LESLEY THAIN
Head of Employer Engagement Co-founder of Silicon Hack
Starting September 2016 for its first year, Silicon Hack are organizing Hackathons and taking applications to enroll onto next year’s course, throughout the upcoming academic year. Check out the website www.siliconhack.co.uk for up to date info.
/siliconhack
PATHFINDER
Creative Careers
GRAD LIFE:
J
ust graduated or in your final year and looking to get that coveted place on a grad scheme? Companies like VOLO connect you to the skill building volunteering activities that not only make your CV stand out, but help you to make a positive impact in your community. Robert Otim
HOW TO SECURE A PLACE ON THE GRAD SCHEME OF YOUR DREAMS and I am currently working on several projects, voluntary and paid, to support my ambitions. Why have you chosen to pursue a grad scheme? I like the variety that’s provided through several rotations around a business. There is clear career progression and the opportunity to work with some of the smartest people in the industry, which is great for personal development.
What are you currently working on and why? After winning the Brighton Digital Award in June, my idea to help students find available computers based on their software requirements will be rolled out across all 5 campuses in September. Robert Otim studied Product Design I’m now designing maps that showcase with Professional Experience at the University of Brighton, and is currently these locations and social media promotional materials for when the volunteering with VOLO to solidify the skills needed to take his first steps onto project goes live. the career ladder. How is volunteering for VOLO helping you to develop your future career? Hi Robert, tell us about the career I’ve been leading the redesign of pathway you’ve chosen. I have been passionate about product their website, which is fantastic for design from a young age and fascinated my portfolio. I’m also working on other great projects to develop my wider by how products are put together, and technical skillset and knowledge why they’re designed in a specific way. base, and improving my soft skills This is something I explored further at like leadership and communication, university, where I learned more about which will be crucial wherever I end up people and their needs. Now I’m aiming working. The best part is it’s only the to develop this passion into a career beginning of this new chapter in my life www.volo.org.uk
and I love it! What is your ultimate goal? I ultimately hope to have created several products or services that have had a positive impact on people. No matter how small, knowing that I have made a difference to someone’s life is what I want to achieve. 3 top tips for people currently choosing their next steps 1. Keep an open mind: Sometimes the best things in life come when you least expect them. 2. Be proactive: Don’t expect opportunities to come to you. Attend events, use your careers service, seek feedback, better yourself, volunteer. 3. Learn from failure: One of the hardest but most important lessons. Think about learning to ride a bike; it’s annoying each time you fall off, maybe even painful. But assessing why you fell over and carrying on regardless leads you to staying stable and getting home. VOLO is a digital platform that connects you to skilled volunteering activities, tracks your impact and links you to socially minded companies for job opportunities. Join the VOLO community at www.volo.org.uk 29
PATHF I N D E R
Creative Careers Y O U R
D I G I T A L
F U T U R E
LIGHTING RIG
BLUE SCREEN
ALEXA XT CAMERA
PROP/ SPACESHIP
MILO MOTION CONTROL RIG
TRACK RAIL
TECH
SET/ SPACE ROCK
GRANT NAYLOR PRODUCTIONS
BEHIND THE SCENES AT RED DWARF
MILO MOTION CONTROL RIG
This is the real, nerdy tech that makes sci-fi films possible. Milo is a Precision Portable Motion Control system; a rig used for REALLY precise, smooth or fast camera movements. This rig is controlled through specific computer software, so programme in the camera movement you want, and it can be repeated as often as you like – in exactly the same way! This means you can film loads of different takes with objects in different positions, overlay the shots and then put different effects on them. It’s often used in CGI-heavy films – this exact technology was used to film Gravity!
BLUE SCREEN
Blue or green screens are used for something called ‘chroma key compositioning’. This basically means you can really accurately select the space surrounding an actor or object to make it transparent, and project other backgrounds onto it. So if someone needs to be hurtling down the middle of a volcano into a pit of boiling lava, the actor can do their bit in front of a lovely cool blue screen, and avoid getting burnt… 30
The 11th series of the sci-fi comedy classic, Red Dwarf, reunites the original cast for a new adventure. Recorded in front of a live studio audience at Pinewood Studios, it was made by Baby Cow Productions and Grant Naylor Productions. Red Dwarf XI starts 22nd September, brand new and exclusive to Dave.
TRACK RAIL
This is part of the Milo, and comes in a load of different lengths, allowing super smooth movement along short or long distances.
CAMERA
This is an Alexa XT camera. Alexa cameras are regarded as some of the best, and are the go-to brand in top-quality studios. The Alexa cameras are (comparatively) quite simple to learn to use, really sturdy, and have superb image quality too! At £80k a go, you can guarantee it’s a bit too good for your next YouTube video.
LIGHTING RIG
This is the metalwork that holds all the lights and speakers, and setting these up is notoriously hard work…
PROP
Not common to all filming studios, this is a bit of a space ship, making up some of the set of Red Dwarf.
SET
And this is… well… it’s a rock. Space rock.
www.babycow.co.uk
PATHFINDER
NAME: LILAH VANDENBURGH JOB TITLE: FILM/TV DIRECTOR AND SCRIPT WRITER COMPANY: BABY COW PRODUCTIONS / BBC THREE’S UNCLE. HOURS PER WEEK: ON PRODUCTION, 60+. LONG DAYS, NIGHTS & WEEKENDS! QUALIFICATIONS: DEGREE IN FILM PRODUCTION OR FILM STUDIES. APPROX. STARTING SALARY: ZERO. MANY DIRECTORS SELF-FINANCE TO GET STARTED, AND HAVE A SECOND JOB.
Creative Careers
A Day in the Life of… …A TV DIRECTOR actors or crew between takes. We’re usually moving quickly because we’re trying to get a lot of footage. The only Most of my year is spent writing/ real chance to regroup and catch your pitching but when a project goes into breath is lunch break; then it’s back on, production, my schedule changes. On a production day, I usually wake at racing until we make the last shot of 5 or 6am and get to set. I go through the the day. While writing is creative, it can script, shot list, and storyboards with the DoP (Director of Photography) and be solitary. What I enjoy most about directing is the collaborative the AD (Assistant Director) to make sure we’re all on the same page and can environment and the pleasure of seeing the final product come together. make the schedule. They get the other There’s nothing more satisfying than HODs (Heads of Department) to set imagining it, then seeing it come to life production design/props, lighting, and onscreen. establish a camera position while the actors are finishing with wardrobe, hair The new series of Uncle airs in and makeup. January 2017 on BBC Three Online We place the actors, do a rehearsal, and BBC One / Two. The half-hour make sure we’re happy with the lenses, comedy drama is back for another and then shoot. Most of my day is spent rib-tickling 7 episodes. Be sure to behind a monitor, and speaking with check it out! A DAY IN MY LIFE:
TOP TIP: If you can't afford Uni and you're a disciplined self-studier, there's a wealth of information in books and online. But you need to push yourself, read widely, watch films critically, and practice to improve your craft. There isn’t one easy career path to becoming a director. It requires your own money/time/labour to build a portfolio, and the work ethic and tenacity to believe you’ll succeed.
L-R: Brian Fawcett (Director of Photography), Lilan Vandenburgh (Director), Nina Toussaint-White (Actress) Simon Koelmeyer (Sound Recordist)
Photo Credit: Chloe Dymott
Y O U R
D I G I T A L
F U T U R E
PATHFINDER
TECH TALKS
Creative Careers
YOUR QUESTIONS. THEIR ANSWERS.
What motivates you every day? – Tama, Brixton Learning new things and working with great people. What do you think is the key to personal success? – Josh, Stratford It’s important to be curious and to continue to develop yourself.
NAME: Sam Hunt JOB TITLE: Innovation Leader COMPANY: Capgemini COMPANY TYPE: Global Company TIME IN POSITION: 1 Year EDUCATION: Bachelors in Engineering at Durham University
We put your questions to a young leader within a global organisation who’s gone from student to success in less than a decade. At only 28, Sam Hunt is an expert in innovation and is rapidly climbing the career ladder at Capgemini.
BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE: Learning to cycle no handed (at 28 I know that’s late!) FAVOURITE HOBBIES: Music, Swimming Career pathway so far: Engineering Degree ® Consultant ® Facilitator ® Innovation leader
I want to be CEO of a big corporation. I’m currently choosing between an apprenticeship and going to university. If it was you in my position, which route would you recommend? – Niamh, Tooting Different routes suit different people. It’s really important to find something that excites you. This will keep you busy and happy, which will lead to success. What do you think are the top personality traits you have that made you a successful business person? – Bilal, Hackney I’m always curious, and listening to others about their ideas and different ways of doing things. I’m always looking to improve what I’m doing too, you need to recognise that you can always do better, and to strive for that. Relationships are vital too, so building great relationships is definitely key to my success. Have you got a question you want answered by a business leader? Send your questions to techtalks@techmixmag.com 33
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Creative Careers Y O U R
D I G I T A L
F U T U R E
REAL LIFE
DREAM JOBS… L
ove Music? Love TV? Love Creating? Troy Dallas has created his own dream job and we’re pretty jealous… Here’s how he did it.
TROY DALLAS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, LOVE MUSIC DIRECTOR OF NEW WORLD AFRICA RECORDS LTD
TV and Music are both pretty great, and we know you love both. So if you were stuck on Mars with only one form of entertainment, which would Troy, what is Love Music? you take? Simply put, it’s a Music TV show That’s a tough one; to me the two go created by musicians for music lovers. hand in hand. Music is able to deliver It gives really talented musicians a platform to express their creativity and personal stories in a passionate way which really affects the listener. That’s musical artistry, and it also gives the what I love about it. But TV brings audience a peek behind the curtain to it to life visually and by seeing, you see what makes a musician tick. feel personally involved in that story. Argh… I just love both, don’t make me How did you come up with the idea choose! of marrying your two passions and working for yourself? What advice would you give to your Well, I find it so exciting to meet younger self? other people who have something Research the industry, really get they wish to share through music. I to know what’s already out there and love taking someone’s raw ideas and develop your own opinion about it early helping breathe life into it. Making it on. Then stand by what you say! Learn real. I have great passion for music what you love and dedicate yourself to and for storytelling, but also for the it; let it keep you awake at night, allow it business side and creating something to absorb you, and above all else, have for myself in that respect. So I’m the fun! You’re in for a rough and rocky road guy that brings the two worlds of creativity and business together. It can and there will be times when you doubt yourself, but don’t give up and keep be very challenging, frustrating and at times emotional, but the joy and elation discovering…
WANT TO APPEAR ON LOVE MUSIC? PUT UP A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE AND SEND THE LINK TO US AT ____ EMAIL: TROY.DALLAS@WEALENTERTAINMENT.COM INSTA: #LOVEMUSIC.TV 34
I get once I finish a project is just indescribable.
SUN,SEA
FILM ACADEMY 14-15TH OCTOBER 2016
2016 JUDGES CARLY CUSSEN, Director SHADEH SMITH, Video Commissioner at Altantic Records AARON REID, Cinematographer
If you’re a music lover, the industry offers an amazing range of careers ranging from financial knowhow to styling, lighting, photography, art direction, production coordination, spanning across features films, advertising, TV and so much more. So it’s time to throw your recorders into the waves and use your passion for music in a creative way to kickstart your career. And what better way to do this than head to the party capital of the world and soak up some sun while you learn. Ibiza Music Video Festival and Young Film Academy challenge you to make a music video in a day; from conception to completion with a team of likeminded students, battling to win the trophy awarded by leading professionals in the music industry.
MARCELLA MARTINELLI, Stylist CARL GRINTER, VFX/Animator www.ibizamusicvideofestival.com
Speaking exclusively to Techmix, co-founder Rupert Bryan says “IMVF offers the perfect platform for young filmmakers to showcase their work and then to meet and mingle with experienced professionals from all walks of the audio-visual industry. All in a very relaxed atmosphere and in the beautiful setting of the island of Ibiza.” If you’re 16-19, love music and making videos, IMVF could be the party to get your career started. No experience needed, just passion, enthusiasm and a desire to learn.
GET YOUR TICKET AT IMVF.NET
THE TECH PARTNERSHIP BADGE
STAND OUT
WHEN YOU APPLY FOR A JOB
ACADEMY
GET THE SKILLS EMPLOYERS REALLY NEED
Open Badges are a way to show you have skills in topics that may not be recognised in education. Each badge has been co-developed with a tech company, ensuring that the skills you learn whilst gaining the badge are the same skills you need to work on a real life project in that field. In the tech industry, there are many different areas to go into, but the subjects at school are so broad, how do you show that you’re made to be an app developer? Or that you love coding? Or you’re a passionate game designer? Start collecting your badges and stand out from the crowd now www.thetechpartnership.com/badge-academy
LEARN RELEVANT SKILLS ADD YOUR BADGES TO JOB SITES, YOUR CV, AND ON SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED
BADGES TO COLLECT:
APPS, GAMES DESIGN, CODING, CYBER SECURITY
36
THE TECH PARTNERSHIP SHOW OFF YOUR TECH SKILLS BY EARNING ONLINE BADGES
Earn badges in a range of important tech areas, from cyber security to web design. Use them to showcase your tech-savvy skills and enthusiasm to employers, teachers and friends, and give you a vital edge as you pursue your future career. Collecting badges through TechFuture Badge Academy is a great way to show employers, teachers and friends that you have the skills to succeed in the digital world. They’re endorsed by big companies and offer you the opportunity to try out different tech skills to see where your strengths lie. Plus they’re also pretty fun to earn.
SHOW OFF YOUR SKILLS YOU CAN:
GAIN NEW SKILLS YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO LEARN TO HELP YOU WITH SCHOOL PROJECTS, PERSONAL PROJECTS AND MORE FIND YOUR FLAIR BY TRYING OUT LOTS OF DIFFERENT SKILLS AND SEEING WHICH YOU LIKE BEST BECOME A SPECIALIST IN PARTICULAR AREAS BY UNLOCKING BRONZE, SILVER, GOLD AND EVEN PLATINUM LEVEL BADGES STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD BY DISPLAYING YOUR BADGES ON YOUR CV, BLOG OR SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES
What are Open Badges? All TechFuture Badges are compatible with Mozilla’s wider Open Badges scheme. Badges are used across the world as a sort of digital reward for learning new skills. Each badge contains individual data about your achievements and is stored in a sharable, digital backpack so everyone can see what you’ve learned. Open badges have been popular in the US for a long time and now they’re becoming a big thing in the UK too. Badges available There’s a TechFuture Badge for every tech skill and each online course is designed and endorsed by some of the biggest names out there including O2, Capgemini, Intel, Cisco, Accenture and more.
Digital badges help you ...
Learn digital skills and knowledge that are relevant to employers
Gain recognition from Display and share employers for your your achievements new skills on social networking and job sites
HTML, HACKING, WEB DESIGN, CODING, WEARABLE TECH, GAMES DESIGN, APP BUILDING & MORE
Get started and find out more: https://learning.thetechpartnership.com/badge-academy
TECHNOLOGY AND CREATIVITY: A GLOBAL MARRIAGE
L
iving in a digital age has many perks. Arguably one of the best is that technology opens a pathway to connect us with more human beings than ever before. We’re now able to meet more people in a day than our grandparents could have dreamed of meeting in a year. It’s technology that exposes us to a vast range of global perspectives, opening up a melting pot of creativity that’s perpetually vibrant and very much alive. Technology and creativity have become mutually dependent. Feeding each other. Innovating together. The latest tech for multiplying and nurturing creativity is Fiverr. The world’s leading marketplace for freelance creatives is pioneering new ways to develop projects with talented individuals from all over the world. We explore how it provides opportunities to investigate the impact of diversity on creativity.
Fiverr HQ
Working collaboratively with people from across the world encourages wellroundedness, minimizing the weaknesses of one individual. Those weaknesses may be in skills, or in tendencies towards a particular style, or by seeing things with a skewed preference to particular social norms. When one-man magazine publisher Les Jones took to Fiverr to create the latest edition of Elsie Magazine, his award-winning piece of work showed how working collaboratively yields more creative results.
By entertaining new perspectives, one idea can be reshaped a thousand different ways. American journalist Esther Honig went viral with her project entitled Before & After, which explores how beauty standards differ globally. By commissioning Fiverr sellers, Before & After shows how new perspectives can shape a project and uncover deeper findings. The art of making music is often collaborative, but it’s previously been constrained by time and distance. Talent transcends restraints of all kinds; social background, culture, religion, race, geography, opportunity, and language. Award-winning music producer, Kutiman, created a collaborative piece with Fiverr sellers to prove that talent is talent, no matter where it comes from. Each of these projects were only achievable thanks to technology. Going full circle, the creativity of each project has caused Fiverr to spread and become a viral success. Let’s go and explore…
‘GIGS’: A GIG IS THE NAME FOR THE SERVICE OR ‘MICRO-JOB’ OFFERED BY FIVERR USERS. GIGS RANGE FROM DESIGNING LOGOS TO VIDEO ADVERTS, SHORT STORIES TO VOICE OVERS – ANYTHING AT ALL THAT A FIVERR USER HAS SKILLS IN AND WANTS TO OFFER
www.fiverr.com
creative careers
COLLABORATIVE CREATIVITY ROCKETS ELSIE MAGAZINE TO SUCCESS Les Jones, Elsie Magazine
E
lsie Magazine is the brainchild of Les Jones, a freelance creative director. His one-man publishing group and labour of love has led him all around the world. Now settled at home in Shropshire, he is using Fiverr to continue his search for compelling artwork and narratives across the globe, all from the comfort of his living room. Les affectionately refers to Elsie Magazine as ‘structured randomness’. His signature style is a fusion of creative design and beautiful photography used to tell fascinating stories from far-flung corners and little-known cultures. The first issue saw the magazine voted one of the top ten new magazines in the world by the prestigious New York Library Journal. After only three issues, it is continuing to rise to global success. For his fourth issue, he took to Fiverr to find his stories. Scrolling through the marketplace, Les was fascinated by the eclectic mix of Gigs on offer and the insight each brings into the lives of the individual sellers behind them. After setting about ordering a selection, Elsie Magazine issue 4 was born. Les commissioned over 100 Fiverr Gigs from more than 30 countries, and journeyed across the continents, compiling a magazine that gives vivid snapshots into the cultures and lives of others. Ever wanted to wander around an inner city residential neighbourhood of Johannesburg? Or wondered what sweets they eat in Japan? There’s a Gig that can uncover this for you, and there’s a magazine that embodies the global spirit of creativity.
“I WILL SEND YOU 15 PAPER BOXES FOLDED BY MY LOVELY GRANDMA”
“I WILL SEND YOU PICTURES OF GERMAN FOOD”
“I WILL GIVE YOU FIVE NEW INVENTION IDEAS”
YA-YOI, TOKYO
CHRIS_WILSON910, GERMANY
FAISAL_SHAHZAD, PAKISTAN
“I WILL WRITE YOU A POWERFUL SPEECH”
“I WILL DO AN ADVANCE PALM READING”
“I WILL SEND YOU RARE VINTAGE POSTCARDS FROM RUSSIA”
ANNIEMAY, SOUTH AFRICA
KEERTHI165H7G, SRI LANKA
MAVERMONTE, EKATERINBURG, RUSSIA
www.elsiemagazine.com
39 39
ENTERTAINING B DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES SHAPES CREATIVITY
efore using Fiverr, Esther Honig worked as the social media manager of a small startup. Just two years later she is a journalist working in New York City, with an incredible story to tell of what it’s like to have your face go viral. When first hearing of Fiverr, Esther browsed through the Gigs on offer, and quickly noticed that Photoshop editing was a very popular service. Offered by many across the world, it was instantly apparent to her that every person behind each Gig would edit one image in very different ways. And then the idea of Before & After was born.
Esther Honig, Original Image
As a photo editor, what is an acceptable level to doctor a beauty image? Every Fiverr seller commissioned was a professional photo editor, and yet the images are altered to vastly varying degrees. The photographs representing Argentina and Philippines are heavily edited to include vibrant backgrounds and fake wind machines. Whilst Venezuela, Vietnam and Australia choose to keep the integrity of the image, enhancing it in subtler ways. Before & After, Argentina
Esther’s project began by commissioning the Photoshop services of 50 Fiverr sellers from across the world. She sent each of them the same ‘blank canvas’ image of herself with hair scraped back, face bare of makeup, and a neutral expression. The image was sent with the simple instruction: “Make me beautiful.” Given free-reign to alter the image as much as they wanted to, the differences in return instantly proved her theory. Esther set out in search of beauty standards, uncovering cultural and personal differences in the expectations and preferences for skin tone, makeup use, and fashion.
What makes a job “well done?” Which of these images is better than the next? Between cultures, countries, and individuals, a piece of creative work that is deemed “complete” may never look the same. Can you pick one that is more professionally doctored than the others?
This in itself is a fascinating look into different cultural ideas of beauty and the high expectations set upon women all over The technology of Fiverr and the the globe, but delving deeper into the project, connectivity it facilitates opens the there are also findings on creative and doorway to exploring the limitless range of professional expectations to be explored. perspectives present across humanity. www.estherhonig.com
TALENT TRANSCENDS SOCIETAL
RESTRICTIONS
K
utiman is an award-winning music producer, mixer, and mashup artist. For his latest project, he took to Fiverr to connect with musicians from across the world to discover how talent transcends social and cultural backgrounds, and how different perspectives can come together to create a well-rounded, unique compilation. Kutiman’s global success began when he mashed together the home videos of 24 solo musicians posted on YouTube and created an original piece entitled “Thru You”, which has amassed 11 million views. Harnessing this signature style in other projects has led to a great deal more success. Whilst YouTube may showcase a selection of talent, it does not offer a platform for interaction, and as Kutiman said: “The communication between the Fiverr sellers and myself was crucial in this project”.
Kutiman, Music Producer
Providing only a backbeat, he commissioned 24 different musicians
www.YouTube.com/Kutiman
to create the various parts across 18 instruments. Making the conscious decision to direct the musicians as little as possible, he gave maximum creative freedom to the individual artists to apply their own creativity and make a unique stamp on the overall piece. Singer and songwriter Marcellis Felton wrote and sang the lyrics which turned the song into “Inner Galactic Lovers”. Not one of the other 23 artists heard his lyrics or the melody before making their contribution. They used only their creativity and raw talent to generate the music they contributed. Mixing the personalities and creative ideas of musicians from 12 countries across the world, Kutiman has created a piece of music that is a perfect testament to the fact that talent transcends social background, culture, religion, race, geography, opportunity, and language. Talent is talent, no matter where it comes from.
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TM
HOW TECHNOLOGY CAN STIMULATE CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION
H
ate winter’s grey days and the glum mood that comes with them? Through a combination of creative thinking and technological innovation, Cisco has developed a lighting system that can be programmed to match people’s moods – and lead to happier, healthier, and more productive environments. We talk to Cisco UK & Ireland’s Chief Technology Officer about their latest invention, and about how creativity and technology can lead to a better world. Can you believe that it was more than 50 years ago that PC’s were launched? This innovation laid the foundation for the first digital revolution, followed by the Internet and, eventually, smart phones took personal computing to a whole new level. The fourth industrial revolution is here and widespread digitisation is transforming how we work, live, play and learn. What we are experiencing today is driven by fundamentally new technologies that are changing at a rapid pace and creating significant new opportunities not only for businesses but for all of us as consumers of IT. So what happens when we use technology to stimulate creativity and innovation? Take the football for example, 42
ALISON VINCENT, CTO, CISCO UK AND IRELAND
technology now allows coaches to monitor a player’s fitness during a live game and scout new talent, all by using the data that is produced through sensors on players. This means the coach is able to substitute tired or less inactive players for a fresher pair of legs before they start to give away the ball! Other innovative developments are taking place in retailers like John Lewis who use 3D printing and creative technology to allow customers to get a digital snapshot of what different fabrics look like on sofas, allowing you to choose exactly what colours and textures you want depending on your personal taste. Still not impressed with where technology has taken us? At Cisco, we’ve been using technology to create environments that allows people to be more productive, efficient and in turn happier. There is a science behind making people happier… and more creative. Our understanding of the impact of light on human behaviour has advanced rapidly, at the same time as lighting technology has undergone a major evolution. It is now possible to use the principles of bio-adaptive lighting easily and cost-effectively in the workplace, at home and especially in sensitive environments such as schools and hospitals, meaning that lighting can help you learn and heal! It’s not just about feeling better either; the right type and
cisco.co.uk
creative careers level of lighting can dramatically improve our performance of tasks and increase productivity and creativity. Lighting technology like Cisco® Digital Ceiling provides the means for everyone to realise the benefits of bio-adaptive lighting. This means people will be able to tune their lights to match their mood or needs. Cisco’s solution is able to give the control back to people within buildings, whereas traditional lighting control systems usually take control away. The evidence shows that by giving people this control of their environment, you can make people happier and more productive. Imagine the impact that could have in your classroom, lecture hall or workplace… What if you could subtly change the colour of a room through the day to make you feel warmer, and mimic the outside light? Or what if you wanted a colour to put you in a better mood or to calm you down, for example in an exam hall? And how about if this means an organisation could slash its lighting bill by 60%? There are also potential cost savings associated with reduced absenteeism from the workplace, and increased productivity. Research found that blue light strengthens and stimulates connections between areas of your brain that process emotion and language. This means that blue light may, in turn, help people to better handle emotional challenges and regulate mood over time. Blue light is prevalent in sunlight, so your body absorbs the most during the summer and much less in the winter. Because of this, the researchers suggested that adding blue light to indoor atmospheres, as opposed to the standard
yellow lights typically used, may help boost mood and productivity year-round, and especially during the winter. This doesn’t necessarily mean that we should all now have lots of different coloured lighting since blue is often in white light and having the ability to vary the colour of white light, or the colour temperature as it is known, is a critical factor in effective bio-adaptive lighting. Studies show that this will have positive effects on various physical, psychological and performance outcomes of children, such as dental health, physical growth and development, attendance, alertness and academic achievement. Changing the lighting in your classroom really could lead you to a brighter future! And this is something we’ve deployed at Cisco. By digitising our lighting systems, our employees can adjust the temperature, colour, and intensity of the light in their workspace or meeting room from their smartphones. With the ability to approximate natural light, employees feel better and are more productive (by up to 16%, according to some studies). At the same time, the digital ceiling lowers our energy consumption and power costs, and it puts highresolution sensor data at our fingertips, so we can gain deeper insight into our environment to make better business decisions. Where will the next major digital disruption take place? If you’re reading this indoors, look up. The next technology revolution is coming to the ceiling of your building! Let Alison know what you think about how technology can spark creativity, via Twitter: @DrAliv
cisco.co.uk
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WHY A CAREER IN TECH IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST CODING
W
When you look into your future what do you see? Excitement? A healthy sense of challenge? Fun? Working for a tech company can be a great option for those wanting to be creative and make a real difference – we promise it’s not just for coders! At Cisco, we’re securely connecting things in ways nobody’s ever seen before, making the impossible possible. Whether that is ending traffic jams forever, saving the rhinos, re-inventing shopping or making our cities smarter, there’s never been a better time to take on the world’s biggest challenges. So why not consider joining us? Working for a tech company isn’t just for the IT crowd, it’s for anyone with a passion for digital and an in interest in changing the way we live, work and play in the future. And here at Cisco we’ve got some great work experience, apprenticeships, internships and graduate programmes to help you figure out the best career path for you; no matter how you’re approaching your future. So whether you see yourself working in sales, creating digital content in a marketing role, you’ve got a talent for numbers or the life of a coder is for you, if the thought of using technology as a force for good excites you, then a career at Cisco could be the perfect pathway to your future.
e’re living in a digital world, and tech is the foundation of the future. This means more and more exciting and challenging work opportunities are on offer all the time. We talk to the Head of Digitisation and Skills at a company leading the tech HEMA MARSHALL, revolution, about careers HEAD OF COUNTRY One thing is for sure, you’ll be part of an amazing team – in the sector – and how DIGITISATION & SKILLS, crucial creativity is to this we were placed 4th in the UK’s Great Place to Work survey CISCO UK & IRELAND 2016. Not just that, we care about our customers, have a lot industry. of fun, and pride ourselves on changing the lives of those Did you know, in 2015, 1 million years’ worth of video traffic both in our local communities and globally. crossed the internet every month? Yes, seriously. If you could change the world with technology, what would We bet that you, along with billions of people everywhere, you do? use the internet every day without really thinking about Let Hema know what you see in your future via what makes it tick. Whether you’re streaming music, Twitter @HemaMarshall. To find out more about Early blogging, chatting to friends, sharing cat videos, studying in Career opportunities at Cisco, visit www.cisco.co.uk/ or applying for jobs - Cisco powers the technology that earlyincareer connects you to the world. 44
cisco.co.uk
Working at Cisco you’ll be part of a team that cares about its customers, has a lot of fun, and even takes part in changing the lives of those in our local communities. Discover more: @ciscoapprentice facebook.com/ciscoworkexp #wearecisco
Š2016 Cisco Systems. Inc. All rights reserved.
to kick-start your career
USING TECH TO MAKE IT EASY FOR EVERYONE TO LEARN SCIENCE 46 46
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learning and understanding science. Becky explained how funding from Ufi Charitable Trust has helped develop new applications of this technology.
We spoke to Dr Becky Sage, Managing Director at Interactive Scientific about their latest project – Nano Simbox - a simulation platform that enables us to see the invisible, nano-world of atoms and molecules. By using interactive tech to make this visible it can unlock the experience of
Hi Becky, tell us more about what this project is doing? We want Nano Simbox to change how people learn science and get into careers in science. Some people find it easy to learn science with traditional classroom teaching – but this doesn’t work for everyone. Some people get left out at school and then at work. Ufi funding is helping us find ways to use our tools more widely - in colleges and universities for example. We will still be delivering complex, abstract, difficult
hen scientist and founder of Interactive Scientific, Dr David Glowacki, came to work in the UK, he wanted to build a digital visualisation of his research, to explain it to his family back in the USA. He could not have imagined where it would lead!
www.ufi.co.uk/projects
creative careers a small company, people really need to be able to work as part of the team and contribute to the development of the business.
So, what stage is the project at? When we started the project, Nano Simbox was at demonstrator stage – we could show people the sort of things it could do, but it was very general. Now, we’re building a library of simulations and games which link to specific applications of science. On the tech side, we’re developing the platform so that we can port Nano Simbox to mobile devices, exploring cloud based simulations and interactions and testing the user interface design. We work closely with teachers and tutors who help develop and test the content. We are building a strong group of ‘early adopters’ - teachers from colleges and schools. With a start-up company like ours, you have to keep checking who your customers will be and whether anyone will want to actually buy your product!
What can you see happening in the future world of digital technology? I want to see digital tech shifting our whole interaction with science – beyond science learning to wider scientific progress in areas like drug discovery and climate change. The interaction between hardware and software keeps getting better and we’re looking forward to a time when you can’t feel the technology at all – it just pops up in front of you as holographic images or whatever. But we do need to use technology as an enabler; not just using it for the sake of using it. Digital learning is a key What else are you working on at the component within a mix of factors that moment? are necessary for change. It’s providing I have a personal interest in our company with more streamlined encouraging other women to distribution, but it certainly doesn’t solve work in science; and in supporting all of our problems. female entrepreneurs, so I take It does bring more opportunities to any opportunities I can find to be a champion and ambassador for women in share experiences remotely. There are really exciting opportunities for the these areas. next generation; students who are of self-starters and looking for a rationale Becky, can you tell us briefly how you for learning beyond simply the legal came to be working in digital tech? I was one of those people who did well requirement to attend school. They will increasingly embrace vocational learning in science at school and went through and be looking to learn wherever they a conventional route to university, but I’ve also trained as an actor. I’ve worked can, using digital tech to take them to new places in completely new ways. with companies and organisations that encouraged and funded technology start-ups, which is how I first met the founder of Interactive Scientific. I’m interested in the whole area of communicating science including science education. Having worked in this area for some time, digital technology has been a key tool for me from the start really.
What have been your early successes? We won’t see big changes for some while but we have already had good feedback from students who helped test the product, who told us that they now understand science concepts that they just couldn’t get before. They have said that their confidence in understanding science has grown and that they already think their results have improved.
When Interactive Scientific is recruiting, what do you look for in new employees? Our team has a wide range of skills combining science, arts and performance. Potential employees might need specific skills but also need to be able to work with a mix of digital technologists and artists. We look for people who are self-motivated and committed, who can work to deadlines, are good problem solvers and can handle constructive criticism. In such
science concepts but in a way that is fun, accessible and relevant to what they need to learn.
www.ufi.co.uk/projects
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IT’S AMAZING
what you can learn over a cuppa!
C
uppa is a new product to bring support to a group of workers who can find it very difficult to get learning and training – these are care workers who visit clients at home. We talked to the folk behind Cuppa to find out more. Sara Dunn started Cuppa because her work with health and care organisations showed how hard it was for their workers to get access to support and training. She’s passionate about wanting to improve this and applied to Ufi Charitable Trust for funding to develop an online platform to deliver learning to frontline social care staff. So Sara, what did you want to achieve when you decided to set up Cuppa?
We want to make it easy for busy care workers to get short bursts of training just when they need it. These guys are at the frontline – always on the go, pushed for time and not always well supported. I had the idea for an online platform delivering short skills boosts in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. That’s why we called it ‘Cuppa’! And the training parcels are called ‘sips’. Where do you think this new platform could go? I knew that to reach this group of people, Cuppa had to use mobile tech. Obviously this isn’t new technology but using it to support frontline care staff is new. I hope Cuppa will set a trend in mobile learning for care workers, so they can improve their skills and confidence; and improve the lives of the people they support.
48 www.ufi.co.uk/products
creative careers What stage is the project at? We’re just starting to pilot our new product – this is the exciting part where we get to see it being tried out with real people. One of our test partners has decided to give staff smartphones for the first time to use our product – so we can already see some impact of our work. What sorts of things have you had to do as part of developing a new product like this? We’ve had to learn some new things – like intellectual property rights and how to protect our product. We’ve discovered how important the right illustration style is to our audience – it has taken several goes to get this right. And of course, the technology has to be right too – we outsourced some of this which was also a new experience for us! Happily, it has gone really well! Sara, can you tell us how you came to be working in digital tech? It was natural career progression – I started work as a book editor. As digital publishing grew, I built up my knowledge and experience of web
publishing, e-learning and knowledge/ information management. My career is a good example of how you need to just keep on learning at work - taking every opportunity you can to learn new skills and get new experience because technology just keeps changing all the time. What are you looking for in your potential employees? We mostly work with other freelancers. This means that we can pick other people with complimentary skills to work alongside us. The great thing about digital tech is that you can work as a freelancer and almost design your own job. Of course, you have to be sure that there are customers for what you want to do, and have the determination and confidence to go out and find them. But it gets easier as your reputation builds and you can show people what you can do.
social care industries. There is going to be lots of work for people who can design learning platforms which make really good creative use of digital technology. We’ve shown that areas like illustration are important to this too. I’m really looking forward to seeing this become THE way to learn; with many more people getting access to learning.
What can you see happening in the future world of digital technology? I can see more and more demand for digital learning and training for people at work – especially in the health and
www.ufi.co.uk/products
49 49
WHO WE ARE City & Guilds helps people get the skills they need to work in a wide range of industries in across the world. Our qualifications and apprenticeships are valued by employers globally, helping people develop their talents and abilities to progress in their career.
equally values technical alongside academic education, working with partners to develop professional qualifications which provide young people with an alternative path to a great career. Prepare people for work throughout their careers A job for life is a thing of the past. Now, people must continually develop their skills throughout their career. By combining knowledge and on-the-
WHAT WE DO
job training through apprenticeships and courses
Develop the skills that industry demands
provide young people with a first step on to the
We work closely with leading educators and
employment ladder, we provide them with the
global employers to make sure that all of our
tools and support for long term career success.
that include work experience, we don’t merely
learning programmes and services meet the shifting skills needs of businesses today and
Giving you the skills you need
tomorrow.
We work closely with employers to ensure students develop the skills that are
Giving you choice
really needed in the workplace. Creating new
We promote a broad range of skills education
ways of learning like our TechBac programme, and
available at all ages. We are committed to
looking at how we can embrace digital technology
professionalising skills-based education
to best teach young people the skills they need to
and seek to create an education system that
compete in the marketplace.
To find out more about the wide range of digital careers City & Guilds can help you access, visit www.cityandguilds.com 50
Cyber security
Technical Engineer
Software Developer
Average salary
Average salary
Average salary
£57,500pa
£35,000pa
£40,000pa
WANT TO GET INTO TECH? See where City & Guilds could take you . . . For jobs like these and hundreds more, City & Guilds has a study option that’s right for you. We have full time college courses like the City & Guilds TechBac which can lead to on-the-job learning with our apprenticeships. Employers have told us exactly what skills they need so you can be sure you’ll be learning the right things to land your dream job. Our courses can also help you get to uni or into a higher apprenticeship equivalent to a Foundation or Bachelor’s Degree.
Find out more about the wide range of digital carers City & Guilds can help you access. Visit www.cityandguilds.com
APPRENTICESHIPS
BREAK THE MOULD!
I
f you’re one of those students who finds it easy to focus in class, loves doing homework and extra reading, then you and education are a match made in heaven. But if, like a lot of us, you don’t quite fit that mould, then there are plenty of other ways to learn that will lead you to a successful career which don’t involve reading endless textbooks. It’s just a case of finding them. According to… um… science (more specifically Nature Journal, 2016) there are 74 genetic variants that determine the number of years we spend in education. These are shaped as our brain develops before we are even born. So by the time we actually put our bums on education’s seats, the amount of time we are going to spend there is already partially decided, and unique to each person. So for those of you itching to leave the classroom and prefer to learn hands-on, apprenticeships are a way to dive straight into employment. You’ll learn on the job from the people actually doing it. One of the companies out there helping college leavers to choose and secure an apprenticeship place is City & Guilds. 52
Jemma Baylis finished college last year and was debating her options when she decided to undertake a City & Guilds apprenticeship. With so much choice available, it’s often difficult to know which path is right for you. When we asked her how she came to her decision, she said: “My decision not to go to university was mainly driven by my passion for the media industry. I felt like I always knew that it was the path I wanted to take, and although I was offered all five university places to study Advertising, I thought, ‘Why spend three years learning about it, when I have an option to join the industry now?’.” Jemma now works full time as a broadcast apprentice at Initiative UK. She has two additional study days each month which helps her to progress towards her final qualification; a Level 3 in Digital Marketing provided by City & Guilds.
JEMMA’S TOP TIPS FOR SUCCESS: - Always maintain your ambition - Focus on finding a company that is not only right for you, but that is just as determined for you to succeed as you are
www.cityandguilds.com
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THE BEAUTIFUL (DIGITAL) GAME
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helsea FC Foundation is delighted to be hosting the Techmix Digital Careers Show on September 27th at Stamford Bridge. This is another fantastic opportunity to be supported into a digital career, and collaborate with like-minded people and organisations in the unbeatable atmosphere of Chelsea’s internationally renowned stadium. The Chelsea FC Foundation is the charitable arm of the football club, and it runs a series of programmes supporting young people into enterprise, tech and innovation. Enrolling on one of their courses is the perfect way to take that love for the game and kick-off your career. They offer a range of top-quality courses, and team up with premier business and digital specialists, meaning you can pick the programme best suited to your personal goals and feel confident that you’re being coached by the best.
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Here are three of the opportunities Chelsea FC Foundation has to offer the digitally minded: Premier League Enterprise Challenge Local schools compete to represent Chelsea FC Foundation at national finals by solving a challenge set by Richard Scudamore, CEO of the Premier League. Create a business plan, pitch to fellow students, Chelsea FC Foundation, and then the rest of the Premier League! Start-up Incubators If you’ve got an idea, the Chelsea FC Foundation Entrepreneur Programme is the course for you – and could lead to your business dream becoming a reality. On this level 2 qualification, the Chelsea FC Foundation looks at your personal journey alongside your business idea, and provides you with the best opportunities, suited to your individual needs, to gain start-up funding and mentoring. Over 100 businesses already have grown in the incubator in 2016. The next one could be yours!
www.chelseafc.com/foundation
The Edge of the Box Club The Chelsea FC Foundation hosts a very lively and collaborative club for young businesses, start-ups, and businesses who care about start-ups. Every month the Edge of the Box Club provides a platform for start-up businesses to learn, pitch, trade, network, and grow their businesses with the other members of the club.
“We are a forward thinking and innovative foundation who believe in collaboration and innovation with associates to help the current and next generation workforces.” Matt Mead, Head of Education at Chelsea FC Foundation
COME TO THE DIGITAL CAREERS SHOW AT STAMFORD BRIDGE ON 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016 TO GET AHEAD IN TECH AND VISIT THE WORLD FAMOUS STADIUM FIRST HAND. REGISTER FOR TICKETS AT WWW.TECHMIXMAG.COM/DCS_ SOUTH
School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science
Subject areas in: • Computer science • Electronics, telecommunications, music and audio system • Information technology management for business
• Multimedia and arts technology • New degree apprenticeship opportunities.
Find out more: www.qmul.ac.uk/EECS 55 email: eecs-ug-enquiries@qmul.ac.uk
VIEW FROM THE TOP Mayor of London’s Digital Talent Programme
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igital skills will be essential for all future jobs. That’s why the new Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is investing £5million through the London Enterprise Panel to help young Londoners take advantage of the digital economy. The Mayor’s Digital Talent Pipeline will help young Londoners into exciting careers in digital, technology and creative roles. City businesses are eager to invest in bright, young talent from a wide range of backgrounds and increase the number of women in their workforce. This means there are more opportunities than ever before! Keep an eye out for new opportunities including courses, apprenticeships, work experience and events coming your way in 2017.
Catherine Knivett Principal Policy Officer Digital Skills Mayor of London’s Office
http://goo.gl/MlDwbm
THINK. CREATE. DEVELOP. WITH ADA, THE NATIONAL COLLEGE FOR DIGITAL SKILLS Ada, the National College for digital skills, opened its doors on 5 September 2016 to the first cohort of sixth form students in Tottenham Hale. At Ada we believe in the power of collaboration. We provide each of our students with the skills to unlock their toolbox of talent, navigate the digital landscape and conquer the unknown.
We provide many paths. And with the digital sector in epic growth, hungry to fill 130,000 tech jobs every year in the UK alone, these paths are bursting with opportunity. Our sixth form gets you to the next level. After two years you’ll have the skills to go on to our Foundation Degree Apprenticeship in Digital Innovation with a leading employer. This will provide you with cutting-edge knowledge, skills and qualifications, whilst avoiding university related debt. Alternatively, you will have the opportunity to gain enough UCAS points to progress on to the university of your choice. Forget theory, this is proper hands-on learning, using the very latest in technology and equipment. Curious? Come to one of our events and apply now at www.adacollege.org.uk to join us.
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london.gov.uk
OFFERS JOBS Want to get some experience, or looking to land your first entry level job? Sick of trawling through the internet to find your perfect role? Look no further than the Digital Directory! All the information you need to secure your future in tech is right here.
OPPORTUNITIES
DIGITAL
We’ve hand-selected some of the very best courses and jobs on offer to help you on your way into the digital career of your dreams. These universities, colleges and companies want you! Have a look, see what stands out, and start working on those applications. And there’s even more to check out online at www.techmixmag.com.
COURSES
Let’s get started…
D I G I T A L D I R E C T O R Y : C O U R SES
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SOCIAL MEDIA & DIGITAL MARKETING
APPRENTICESHIPS
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We have lots of exciting opportunities to work locally or in creative marketing agencies in London. Salaries range from £200 / £300 per week. You will be able to develop your skills whilst working with industry experts.
HAVERING COLLEGE
For more details call: 01708 462 787
www.havering-college.ac.uk
In partnership with:
DIGITAL D I R E C T O R Y : C O U RSES
dd@techmixmag.com
Create Jobs supports creative, diverse and talented young Londoners into work in the arts and creative industries. We give you information, introductions and advice so you can make the most of your creative potential. Contact us for jobs in advertising & marketing, product & graphic design, film, TV & radio, IT / software, computer services and media & publishing.
www.createjobslondon.org @create_jobs
Earn Earn up up to to £350 £350 a a week week and and achieve achieve a a recognised recognised qualification qualification with with a a Holts Holts Academy Academy IT IT Apprenticeship Apprenticeship Programme Programme that that includes: includes:
Apprenticeship opportunities available NOW! We work with some of the UK’s leading companies to deliver Apprenticeships across a variety of subjects and sectors.
IT technical support Software and web development IT project management IT application support System administration support Digital marketing and social media
We are looking for young people aged 16-24 who have a passion for
Technology, Marketing or Digital Media
and are looking to further their careers in any of these areas.
Please send an email to:
apprenticeships@outsourcetraining.org
Call 0203 588 0520 to book a place at our Assessment Centre and start your digital career today. www.holtsdigital.com
Or you can speak with one of our expert advisors directly on:
0203 5426161
To learn more about our Apprenticeships Programmes please visit outsourcetraining.org
The award winning marketing website and magazine For a FREE trial send your name and address to Kerry.Meakins@thedrum.com www.thedrum.com
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WORK AT A GREAT TECH EMPLOYER GAIN IMPORTANT QUALIFICATIONS MOVE INTO A FULL TIME JOB WITH NO UNIVERSITY DEBT
We have FREE courses in your area. Learn new skills. Meet new people. Get into work. Search ‘Prince’s Trust’ Text ‘Call me’ to 07983 385 418 Standard network charges apply for text messages. Call for free on 0800 842 842
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justit.co.uk
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DSN3363 © The Prince’s Trust 2016 – all rights reserved. The Prince’s Trust is a registered charity, incorporated by Royal Charter (RC000772). Principal office: Prince’s Trust House, 9 Eldon Street, London, England EC2M 7LS. Registered charity number in England and Wales (1079675) and Scotland (SC041198).
VOLO helps students develop the necessary skills to become successful members of the workforce of the future. Locate skilled volunteering activities, track your impact and connect with socially minded companies for job opportunities.
DO GOOD. BUILD SKILLS. GET AHEAD.
Become a VOLO volunteer today!
Welcome to… never missing another delivery. With Parcelly; Yesterday you queued, today you don’t.
Business Development Internship
“New Business of the Year 2015” (F2N Business association), Parcelly, is hiring for a Business Development Intern. This is a 6-12-month internship for an entrepreneurial, smart and passionate salesperson with the skill to engage proactively and with confidence. It will be a varied role within a small team, offering excellent exposure the CEO and learning all aspects of the business.
We are based at Interchange Triangle, Camden Market, the platform for creators and one of London’s most exciting start-up communities. Role based on 40hrs/week, salary + travel expenses plus incentives and bonuses. Internship starting immediately. We recruit all year round. To apply, please send your CV and a brief cover letter to careers@parcelly.com
CAREER CAMP
SUPERCHARGE YOUR SKILLS AND FAST-TRACK YOUR CAREER TECHMIX CAREER CAMP IS LONDON’S 5-DAY FAST TRACK PROGRAMME TO DEVELOP YOUR DIGITAL SKILLS AND CONNECT YOU TO LEADING TECHNOLOGY EMPLOYERS.
S
ecuring a place on Techmix Career Camp is the start of a unique, intensive 5-day course in digital skills, taught by London’s leading tech companies. Each day is spent in the working offices of an influential technology business, giving you 5 impressive working environments to experience, and 5 different specialisms to explore. Taught by the current employees and directors, who are pioneering the industry, you will learn what it’s like to work for and with the leading minds of today. The days consist of hands-on activities and workshops designed to develop the skills you need for a career in the tech industry, and offer you the opportunity to showcase your talent in front of the very people who could hire you.
TECHMIX CAREER CAMP: Learn the digital skills you need to kick-start your career Meet top employees from 5 world-class tech companies Develop your networking and presentation skills Showcase your talent directly to hiring employers Work in iconic buildings within leading across London Build confidence and have fun! “Really impressive work from a fantastic group of delegates. Can’t wait for the next one.” Paul Frampton, CEO Havas Media Group, May 2016
“The insight into the technology industry that Career Camp gave me was amazing. It was a challenging week but definitely worth it. I think the most important thing I gained through this experience was selfconfidence, and I’ll be taking that with me to my interviews next week.” Gausika Kangaratnam, Techmix Career Camp, May 2016
GET INVOLVED The next two Career Camps have been scheduled for the month of September and October. You can expect to meet the following organisations….
SIGN UP NOW If you are interested in finding out more about the amazing opportunities at Techmix Career Camp please contact Programme Manager Abdul Ali on Abdul@techmixmag.com
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GET AHEAD, GET TECHMIX – SUBSCRIBE NOW! Techmix Magazine reports only on the things that matter most:
Technology and Innovation. Business and Careers. Creativity and Success. We are here to inform and to inspire. The content of Techmix is gently mapped to the curriculum to compliment studies and provoke interest outside the classroom. It is created to support educators and bridge the gap between education and industry.
TEACHERS – KEEP INSPIRING! SUBSCRIBE YOUR SCHOOL NOW. Sign up for an annual subscription to Techmix Magazine and have class sets of 30 copies of the next 4 issues delivered to your school for only £120 EMAIL SUBSCRIBE@TECHMIXMAG.COM NOW
Together we can inspire passion in the next generation.
If you’re a school, college, university or community group, and want to connect with companies in the technology, digital, media and creative industries who are looking to inspire the younger generation and hire fresh new talent.
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LOOKING AHEAD
5 NORTH
6 SOUTH
FUTURE LEADERS CONFERENCE
#ACORNHACKWOW
Join some of the UK’s brightest talent and connect with diverse senior leaders from a range of industries. Learn about leadership, use their 1-2-1 sessions with HR experts, find a mentor, or hear from women getting ahead in science, tech and engineering to build your perfect career path. Business Design Centre, Islington 7th October 2016 Free - Travel bursaries of to £20 available www.futureleadersconference.co.uk/
Female founders and tech entrepreneurs share their journeys, followed by a 2-day hackathon/start-up style event at Entrepreneur First. Masterclasses for digital and business, and the chance for teenage girls to get creative with coding, programming and digital technology. Clements Road, Southwark 24 – 25th September 2016 Free www.wit-schools.wowtalks.tv
VR & AR
BUILD A RASPBERRY PI ROBOTIC ARM
The largest virtual reality and augmented reality event in Europe comes to London’s ExCel. VR and AR are transforming the entertainment industry. See the latest tech, hear debates from leading experts and try it out first hand with demos of the latest products. ExCel Arena, Royal Docks 18-19th October 2016 Free www.tmt.knect365.com/vr-ar-world
The only workshop where you build a Robotic Arm and take it home with you. All materials are included in the price. Just bring your laptop and get building. Fab Lab, Frederick’s Place, Bank 1st October 2016 £99 www.fablablondon.org
4 EAST
3 WEST
DATA SCIENCE TECH TALK
ERIC FESTIVAL
One of a series of Tech Talk’s exploring state-of-theart techniques and their practical applications. They’ll be covering a wide range of topics such as Machine Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Computer Vision, Data Visualisation and more. Cambridge Coding Academy, Shoreditch 20th September 2016 Free www.cambridgecoding.co.uk
An inspirational and revolutionary new type of career fair educating young people on jobs within the creative industries. Covent Garden 6th November 2016 Free www.ericfestival.com
WIRED NEXT GENERATION This one-day event offers exciting interactive experiences and engaging talks about everything from space travel to bionics, and features some of the most inspirational innovators around today. Tobacco Docks, Wapping 5th November 2016 £60 www.wiredevent.co.uk/next-generation
V&A DIGITAL DESIGN WEEKEND Bringing together again over a hundred artists, designers, engineers, technologists and the public to celebrate and share contemporary digital art and design, take part in interactive installations and labs, engage in conversations, and learn about processes. V&A Museum, Kensington, London 24 – 25th September 2016 Free www.vam.ac.uk/blog/tag/digital-design-weekend
EMAIL: EVENTS@TECHMIXMAG.COM WWW.TECHMIXMAG.COM
What You Study Matters Computer science opens doors to careers across industries like no other subject. Master must-have skills and enhance your academic experience with industry-leading software, Java development environments, curriculum, and certifications.
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