Image
Build a career in digital media
This career guide is designed to help University of Portsmouth students and recent graduates explore job options, key employers, and entry routes into the Digital Media sector.
In this guide
A wealth of new, innovative career paths in Digital Media are opening up that are great options for recent graduates or for someone looking to make a career change. Digital Media encompasses a lot of different functions: marketing, consultancy, PR, writing/publishing, social media, innovation or technology. This is a promising area with a wide range of potential jobs.
Potential Job Roles
Prospects has a useful list of job profiles, each containing relevant information about key responsibilities, skill requirements, starting salaries, entry requirements, career prospects with links to major employers and current graduate vacancies. Some roles include:
Online Presence
- A strong social media presence can function much like an online portfolio, where you can showcase your work to the public and to potential employers.
- Depending on the type of media that you create, you may wish to share this on social media to develop connections with other media creators, develop your own distinctive style and following, and increase your visibility. Using relevant hashtags can help your content to reach wider audiences.
- Additionally, if you wish to explore freelancing as a career option, a robust social media presence can help you to reach potential clients.
Gaining Experience
Getting relevant experience is essential. Many employers recruit through internships, placement programmes, or work experience programmes. Any type of work experience (paid or unpaid) will boost your employment prospects by helping to build a network of contacts. Most of your graduate competition will have degree-related work experience, so try to find ways to gain some practical experience while you're still studying.
Types of Opportunities
Below are some examples of the different types of opportunities to gain experience while you study.
Internships are usually for a fixed period and give you more hands-on experience. Many employers will treat interns in the same way as full-time employees, so when future job roles ask for 'at least one year's experience' you can include an internship in this type of experience.
Look for internships in digital media at:
Placements in this sector are highly competitive, but an excellent way to gain experience within digital media. This type of opportunity will give you a long-term look at an organisation, and help you to build contacts and experience.
On some degrees, work placements are part of the programme, whilst on others you can choose to complete a placement as one of your modules. To find out more about completing a placement, you can contact the Placements team in the Careers and Employability Service.
You may decide to take a Self-Employed Placement. This allows you to work for yourself during your placement year and receive support from the University's Student Startup Team. You will have access to funding opportunities, networking events and workshops to help you grow your business.
It's worth considering the voluntary sector for work experience. There might be opportunities to support community organisations with design/web design work. Our Volunteering Bank provides local opportunities to undertake alongside your studies.
You can also get involved in relevant university projects through the different groups and societies via the Student Union. This is a good way of demonstrating your motivation and interest in this area of work.
Where to find opportunities
The sites listed below advertise internships and placements for students looking to gain experience. In addition, you may also want to try contacting companies directly using a speculative approach. Be open and flexible in your search for experience - even a day of work shadowing could provide you with useful knowledge and insight about your chosen industry.
Getting the most out of work experience
Whether you already have a career path in mind or are still exploring your options, our work experience pages guide you to finding opportunities that match your interests and goals. You'll find advice on choosing an industry, broadening your search, and standing out while building valuable skills and experience.
Finding a Graduate Job
Digital media encompasses a lot of different functions, with opportunities to work in marketing, consultancy, PR, writing/publishing, social media, innovation or technology. There are lots of ways you could transfer your existing creative skills to a job in the digital industry. It’s up to you to research each area of the digital sector and find a niche where you could excel.
Many large and medium-sized companies have an in-house marketing and communications department, which offers digital marketing services in addition to traditional marketing support.
Employers who recruit in digital media
- design consultancies and studios
- media and communication companies
- PR agencies
- publishing companies
- web design agencies
Jobs boards for digital media
We recommend starting your search using our online jobs board, MyCareer. You can also find general online job boards and advice through our Graduate Jobs page.
Speculative applications
Speculative applications involve sending a CV and cover letter to an employer to ask if they have any vacancies, even if the company is not currently advertising for a role. They're a great way to access "hidden jobs" that go unadvertised.
Submitting a speculative application shows your interest in a specific company and your willingness to go above and beyond to develop your skills and understanding of the industry.
Are you looking for a role in Hampshire? Our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy can help!
If you're in the final year of your degree, you can register for support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy. They work with over 3,000 employers in the local area to place our students into fantastic graduate careers.
Working for yourself
Got an idea you'd like to turn into something bigger?
Whether you're planning a business, side hustle or freelance career, our Student StartUp team can help you build your confidence and develop your plans. Access expert guidance, funding opportunities, workshops and workspace designed to help you move your idea forward.
Keeping up to date
Below you will find some key resources to help you research the sector further and keep up to date with industry news:
- Mashable – Independent on line news sited dedicated to covering digital culture, social media and technology. Also advertises job vacancies and events.
- Allaboutcareers – Internet Digital and Interactive Media offering advice and information about a wide range of careers plus useful current affairs and work experience sections. Explore the employer video clips to hear ‘career stories’ from professionals working in specific areas.
- Creative Network South (CNS) is working to develop the creative industries in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Their prime focus is the attraction and retention of creative talent.
-
Ladies, Wine & Design offer free mentorship circles, portfolio reviews, talks & creative meetups for underrepresented creatives.
- Discover Creative Careers – Help and advice for your creative career. This includes profiles for ‘A Career in…’ ‘Getting Started in..’ and jobs in the sector
-
CreateBritain Create a Profile for peers, fans and business opportunities to find you. The site brings many aspects of the creative industries together into an easy to navigate, highly relevant space.
- Dribbble The world’s destination for design. We’re on a mission to build the world’s best community for creatives to share, grow, and get hired.
- Design Chapel Creative coworking space in Southampton.
Explore more from the Careers service
CVs, portfolios and cover letters
Find out how to increase your chances of getting an interview by writing a strong CV and completing a successful application.
Building work experience
Get hands-on industry experience and showcase your knowledge before you graduate!
Graduate job search guide
Learn about the types of roles you will encounter, and how to search for roles.
Enable University alerts
Turn on notifications for critical updates like closures, safety alerts, and urgent service disruptions.