Careers in Gaming

LAUNCH YOUR GAMING CAREER TODAY!

Careers in Gaming prepares students for successful careers in game design, UX/UI research, programming, writing, production, and so much more. The program welcomes students of all majors and class years.

Careers in Gaming works closely with the University’s Department of Media, Arts, and Design to prepare students for meaningful employment and graduate school opportunities. Students benefit from the University’s resources and faculty expertise in game design, creative computing, electronic music, machine learning, and much more. 

GET PERSONALIZED ADVISING

Careers in Gaming provides personalized advising for anyone looking to explore career paths, identify summer opportunities, and prepare resumes, cover letters and portfolios. Students can make an appointment online through UChicago Handshake.

CAREER TREKS 

Treks give students an opportunity to meet potential employers in cities throughout the U.S. and around the world. Careers in Gaming organizes career treks in major gaming hubs, including an annual entertainment industry trek to Los Angeles and local treks to studios around the Chicago area.

Recent treks have taken students to leading organizations including Nexon, Naughty Dog, MobilityWare, Roblox, Iron Galaxy Studios, and more!

BUILD YOUR SKILLS: GAME JAMS

Winter Quarter 2024 Game Jam
January 12-15, 2024
Registration closes on January 7

All artists, composers, writers, game designers, and programmers are invited to join the UChicago Game Jam! Over the course of a single weekend, teams of students will immerse themselves in the design and development process and create an original, playable game. The Game Jam is judged by industry experts and cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 teams and 2 honorable mentions. This event is open to undergraduate students of all experience levels!

There will be a networking event on January 22 at 7:00pm where students will showcase their skills and games for the UChicago gaming community and gaming employers!

The UChicago Game Jam is presented by the UChicago Game Design RSO and Career Advancement.

Visit this page to register.

GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

UChicago’s Jeff Metcalf Internship Program provides 4,200 paid, substantive internships to students each year across a variety of career fields. Careers in Gaming works closely with employers ranging from early-stage startups to multinational gaming giants to create gaming Metcalf internships for students. 

For a curated list of internships and job opportunities, please click here.

ARTS & HUMANITIES BRIDGE PROGRAM

Careers in Gaming offers a career support program for graduating seniors! Students accepted into the Arts & Humanities Bridge Program will receive strategic advising and tailored employer events led by our industry expert team members with whom you will work with until you’ve secured a post-graduate, summer opportunity. Through this program, employer partners include the Metropolitan Opera, the Chicago History Museum, the New York Philharmonic, UChicago Press, The Graham Foundation of Fine Arts and more. Learn more about the application process here.

LEVERAGING YOUR DIVERSE EXPERIENCES FOR SUCCESS

There is a wide range of careers in the gaming industry that you can pursue. While there are more “traditional” roles that necessitate a background in programming or digital design, gaming employers are also seeking employees with a variety of skill sets. Here are some examples of roles: