Game on! Chelmsford event showcases careers in gaming
Following the successful pilot in October 2025, a special careers event at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in April 2026 showcases career opportunities in video gaming.
Schoolchildren from across Essex have come together to explore careers in the games industry at an event organised by CSES and hosted by ARU. The event aimed to encourage youngsters to explore the careers behind best-selling video games, from coding and sound design to writing, voiceover work and graphic design.
A short video of the event is available on the Essex County Council YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO0le1TWzjM.
Councillor Sam Journet, Cabinet Member for Education, SEND and Skills, Essex County Council, was delighted with the event. He said: “This event was a really good example of businesses and our university working together to inspire young people – raising aspirations and showcasing the exciting range of careers available in Essex. The gaming industry is rapidly growing, and it is wonderful to see the students inspired by this experience.”
Pupils learnt that teamwork, the ability to listen and follow a brief were all useful skills. They were also surprised at the variety of jobs available in gaming. Schoolchildren also discovered that subjects such as music and computer science connect to careers – whether it’s writing music for animations or learning the basics of digital creation.
Youngsters got the chance to discuss their own ideas for new games. One pupil shared a memory of being at a grandparent’s house, seeing a cousin playing a new video game and feeling a spark of curiosity. Others dreamt up storytelling card games, where each card adds a new twist.
Gary Cousins, President of CSES, said: “Many people look at careers in gaming and think, ‘That’s not for me. I’m not a software engineer. I’m not a coder’. But once they explore the industry, they realise how many roles exist and how many opportunities might suit them.”
He added: “Speaking with people in the industry gives students a true sense of what the work is really like. It’s completely different from reading a book or a fact sheet. It’s real, it’s personal, and it lets them ask the questions that matter to them.”
A key theme of the day was AI. Pupils learnt that the imagination of a developer can never be replaced by artificial intelligence. The event also featured talks, interactive demonstrations, hands-on workshops and masterclasses and gave children the chance to talk to industry experts, such as Witham-based games creators, Dlala Studios.
To discover more, go to https://www.essexopportunities.co.uk/careers-directory/?search=computer+games, take a look at the CSES website or keep an eye out for the next events as part of Chelmsford Science Festival 2026.