A University Experience: Chapter 7 - Graduating

Introduction

Hello and welcome back!!

I hit a point with my past post and was wondering what I missed out from my whole university experience. I realised, maybe first thing this morning, that I have missed out the stage that I'm currently at.

Waiting

So, after 2 years in Liverpool and a third at Guildford, I will be having my graduation ceremony on the 18th November 2024. At the time of writing this, the graduation is one week from today.

After wrapping up my coursework, I was waiting for what felt like a decade. In reality, I was only sitting around for something like 3 months for my work to be marked and sent back to me. I think the thing that really bugged me was that I couldn't touch my portfolio site until I had my grades back. Meaning that I was polishing up 3D models to present on my site and socials, only I wouldn't be able to upload anything new without it being considered tampering.

I had about 2 weeks where all I did was take a breather. No mad rush to hit a deadline, nowhere I needed to be, no expectations. In that moment, my favourite thing to do was going outside and walking my dog.

I'd take her out for an hour or two and go to the forest around the corner from me. I'll sometimes take her down the beach and just watch her run.

One of the first times I took my dog for a walk after finishing my coursework, I had the amazing luck of seeing the Red Arrows flying overhead and it just so happened that I got to see an air display about 5 minutes into the walk. I stood still and watched the whole thing before going down a path that would block my view of their display.

Waiting on results made a minute feel like a week. I didn't know what time of day it was, never mind which day of the week. By going out and taking the dog for a walk, this was a true break from worrying about results. I found that I could relax more without a computer or Wi-Fi nearby.

Job Applications

I was sending out applications for Junior and Graduate roles in the industry. I only heard back from maybe 2 companies out of the 70 odd that I wrote to.

I think that it is appalling how companies can now use AI to sift through CVs looking for keywords. Not because of any reason like I've got to be approved by a computer. I can appreciate that some of these employers are evaluating upwards of 100 candidates.

What irritates me is how nobody is using this same system to send automated replies back to candidates as a way to say they didn't make the cut. At the moment, I wouldn't even mind if this reply doesn't come back with a reason why I wasn't hired. It would just be nice to know that my application had been rejected.

I've seen it time and again on LinkedIn with people saying that it's either no response or the occasional rejection.

In today's world, we have automation and artificial intelligence. There is no reason that I can see for why we are unable to send a rejection email, with a small note on why the application was unsuccessful. With the correct use of AI in a recruitment position, candidates should be seeing resources to help them improve their work. Making them a better fit for the role. In my opinion, this would encourage creativity and enable people to build a more diverse skillset.

Personal Project

I've been working on a little 3D scene in my free-time recently. I'm trying to create a spaceship interior that focuses on powering everything with air.

I mean everything.

Seating and bedding that inflates, old messaging tubes as a way to communicate. I'm actually thinking about adding a forest or a science lab working with algae as a way of showing the importance of oxygen production in space.

At the moment, I've got rough drawings, mood boards and I've started blocking out the ship in UE5.4.

I'm not worried about timing for creating this scene, I've got a part-time job and responsibilities that take priority at the minute. So whenever I can, I sit down and work on it some more. I hope to be able to share some of the development stages with you all once I get a bit further along.

Work

As I said, I have struggled to find a role in the games industry. Actually, that is still the case.

The part time job I mentioned above, is me going back to retail until I get something solid in the games industry. It's not really where I want to be, nor is it where I thought I'd be once I left university.

You should never knock an opportunity like this. For me, this job is something that I have been able to return to at a moment's notice. They have been able to help me, even if it meant giving me a handful of hours to work.

I could not be more grateful for the support from my colleagues and friends there.

Addressing my earlier disinterest in the retail industry, this is a promise that I am making to myself that I will keep moving forward. It's worth remembering that sometimes you need to take a step back to take a run at where you want to be.

As always, thank you very much for reading this far!

Please feel free to browse my 3D artwork or find another blog post to look through.

I will hopefully see you all next time.