Employability at GCU - Kyle McSwan
Our #EmployabilityAtGCU campaign aims to highlight the ways the University can help students with accessing a graduate career.
We want current students to be inspired by our alumni - we're proud that 93% of our graduates are in employment or further study, within 15 months of leaving GCU (Graduate Outcomes, HESA, 2022).
People like Kyle McSwan, who graduated in 2022 with a BSc Honours in Computer Games (Design). Kyle is now working as a Junior Level Designer at Ubisoft and we asked him about his time at GCU, how his course prepared him for the workplace and any advice he had for current students to enhance their skillset and employability whilst studying.
What do you love about your role at Ubisoft?:
"All I have ever wanted to do was make games. With Ubisoft, I get to live out that dream where I get to create levels and worlds for some of my favourite games. I've been in the lucky role of being able to design and build stories, puzzles and overall gameplay content through my levels, in the hopes of entertaining gamers and fans alike for some of Ubisoft’s flagship titles.
I've been able to take ownership in some key areas of the new ‘Assassins Creed VR’ and drive a creative vision for one of the most popular franchises in the world."
How did studying at GCU help prepare you to go into the world of work?:
"I gained academic and professional skills in game design, both from a technical point of view and how I conduct myself in the games industry. I believe I gained confidence in communication and leadership through the games design modules of GCU, which is something that has stayed with me the full time I have been in my design position.
I had creative freedom to design and produce all kinds of games when hitting coursework briefs, and learned game software such as Unity and Unreal Engine from a beginner level all the way to an experienced student."
What did you do whilst studying to enhance your CV?:
"I spent a lot of my free time honing my skills with passion projects, game jams and industry talks to stay within the network of games industry professionals around Glasgow. I was also very fortunate enough to be given a work-placement position at a Glasgow based studio, which blossomed into a full time design position and being one of the designer on the Scottish BAFTA Game of the Year 'Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot - the First Cases'."
What advice would you give to current students studying Computer Games?:
"Never get too comfortable when it comes to making games. The industry is constantly evolving, and there will always be something to learn or gain more experience in. Push yourself and be willing to make and learn from mistakes, as that is how you will grow in any design position in the games industry."