In order to make the most out of the alumni guest speakers and write a compelling essay that shows the extent of what I’ve learnt from each speaker. I need to know what the most vital information is; so I know the correct questions to ask and what to expand on in my essay.

Understanding the Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes	How will each learning outcomes inform my essay?
A1	I will show that I understand how recruitment works in the games industry by discussing what the speakers taught us about applications, interviews, portfolios, and getting that first role.
A2	I’ll explain what I learned about the current games job market, including the range of roles available and how competitive or accessible they are, using examples from the talks.
B1	I’ll reflect on my own direction as a designer/programmer and describe how the guest speakers influenced or clarified my future goals.
B2	I’ll use proper research methods by referencing the talks, industry sources, job listings, and relevant professional material to support my points.
C1	I’ll analyse insights from the talks using academic and industry frameworks like production pipelines, reflective practice, and design theory.
C2	I’ll demonstrate good time management both through submitting the essay on schedule and by discussing time management advice shared in the talks.
C3	I’ll use digital tools—online portfolios, LinkedIn, studio websites, research platforms—to support my analysis and strengthen my writing.

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Going into more detail

A1 — Understanding the specifics of the application process

What this means for me:
I need to show that I actually understand how hiring works in the games industry — things like CVs, portfolios, interviews, tests, and how studios filter applicants.

How this fits into my essay:
A lot of the guest speakers talked about their own routes into the industry, what studios pay attention to, and the kinds of mistakes people make when applying. In my essay, I’ll pull from these real examples to show what I’ve learned about:

• How people get their first role
• What a strong CV/portfolio looks like
• What companies expect during interviews or tests
• Why passion, research, and tailored applications matter

This section will basically show that I’ve absorbed their advice on the recruitment process.

A2 — Understanding the current job market in games and related industries

What this means for me:
I need to show that I’m aware of the current landscape — the roles that exist, what skills are valued, and how people actually break into the industry right now.

How this fits into my essay:
The talks covered a lot about the reality of the job market: different career paths, how competitive everything is, and how roles vary from studio to studio. I’ll discuss what I learned about:

• Entry points like QA
• The range of roles available (design, tech design, production, etc.)
• How unstable/stable jobs can be
• What studios currently look for

This shows that I understand the wider industry I’m trying to enter.

B1 — Analysing my own practice and career direction

What this means for me:
I need to reflect on who I am as a developer — what I’m good at, what I enjoy, and where I see myself fitting in (technical design, programming, etc.).

How this fits into my essay:
The talks helped me think about what I want from my own career. So here I can discuss:

• What roles appeal to me
• How the speakers influenced or clarified my goals
• The skills I already have versus ones I need to build

This outcome is essentially about showing that I’m actively shaping my direction based on what I’ve learned.

B2 — Using appropriate research methods

What this means for me:
My essay needs to be properly researched and professionally presented. That means using credible sources and referencing everything appropriately.

How this fits into my essay:
I’ll support my points using:

• Quotes or insights from the guest speakers
• Industry reports, job ads, academic sources
• Examples of real portfolios or recruitment expectations

This shows that I can research like a professional and not just give surface-level opinions.

C1 — Contextualising my practice using academic and industry approaches

What this means for me:
I shouldn’t just list what the speakers said. I need to analyse their insights using academic ideas or industry frameworks.

How this fits into my essay:
I can link their experiences to things like:

• Reflective practice (e.g., Schön, Gibbs)
• Production pipelines
• Level design theory
• Professional development frameworks

This shows that I can situate my learning within a broader, academic context.

C2 — Managing my time effectively

What this means for me:
The essay needs to demonstrate that I can plan, organise, and meet deadlines.

How this fits into my essay:
This is mostly shown through:

• Submitting the essay on time
• Structuring and organising it clearly
• Showing understanding of time-management advice from the talks (e.g., sprint planning, roadmaps, contingency time)

It’s both a practical and reflective outcome.

C3 — Using digital literacies to support my learning

What this means for me:
I need to demonstrate that I can use digital tools effectively; both for research and for presenting my work.

How this fits into my essay:
This outcome is covered by:

• Using online research resources
• Referencing LinkedIn, portfolios, or recruitment platforms
• Showing how digital tools like JIRA, Confluence, or game engines were highlighted by the speakers
• Producing a clean, well-formatted digital essay

It essentially shows that I can work professionally in a digital-first environment.