Edinburgh College Creative and Tech Futures Day returns to Granton Campus
Photography by Julie Elliot
Experts in industry gathered at the College’s Granton Campus on Wednesday (21 February) to take part in the second annual Creative and Tech Futures Day, where they gave talks and answered questions from students on how to become a success in the creative industries.
Formerly known as the Creative Industries Employability Day, which had been held annually at the College since 2013, the event was rebranded last year to relaunch the return of the event being held in-person after the previous two events took place online.
Students from across the College’s Creative Industries faculty attended the all-day event where they had an opportunity to seek career advice from guest speakers from across the creative and tech sector including experts in music, photography, fashion, computing, performing arts and more.
Around 500 students were inspired by talks delivered by 79 industry panellists who gave students their top tips on what recruiters look for in a candidate, entering and finding a rewarding career in the industry, making the most of their talent, standing out from the crowd, and becoming successful creatives.
HND Creative Audio Visual Production and Technology student James Power said: “I really enjoyed the event, it was great to hear from professionals working in industry. The sessions were full of good insights and the speakers provided useful information and advice on the practical skills that employers look for.”
PDA Outside Broadcasting in a Multi Camera Production student George Palmer said: “The event was interesting and very useful, it was inspiring to hear from experts in their field and hear about their positive experiences working in the industry.
Students heard from a wide-range of organisations including: Bupa, Craneware, Baillie Gifford, Access to Industry, Bute Fabrics, 2iTesting, Lloyds Banking Group, Vodaphone, Lyceum Theatre, DF Concerts, Young Enterprise Scotland, Business Gateway, and many more.
Eleanor Sim, Director for Security Strategy and Architecture at Bupa, said: “It was an incredible experience to get to speak to students at the Creative and Tech Futures event – they posed very insightful questions and were really engaged throughout the session. It was also exciting to meet and hear from the next generation of cyber security professionals who are about to enter the industry.”
Edinburgh College Creative Industries Centre Administrator Andy Duncan said: “The feedback we have had from students and staff so far has been glowing. It was a truly informative and inspiring day for them, and it was great to hear that so many students were asking well-considered questions in the panels, and then to see so many conversations carrying on once the panels had finished.”
