William Hosgood – BSc (Hons) Computing & Games Development graduate

“For me the University of Plymouth was a life changer and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to prove what they can truly achieve... With the help and support I've received from the University of Plymouth I've managed to pave my own career path through creating So Good Studios, and I now work each day doing something for which I have a true passion.”

Following graduation I started working for a game development company that I founded with two other alumni, which has been a fantastic experience that's expanded my understanding of the gaming business even further. My position in the company is Creative Director, and my role is to produce the artwork and designs for any projects, advertising, and company products that we need. This has allowed me to work on a broad range of techniques and expand my knowledge.

Has your career path changed since graduation?

In the eleven months since finishing my final exam I have been working at So Good Studios and have remained as the Creative Director throughout, working on multiple projects – some for clients as well as our own personal intellectual property.

What is the most difficult thing which you have faced in your career?

Taking a chance to create a company after university was a big step, as it meant risking time I could have otherwise used to further my chances of acquiring a job in a game development company. It was a very difficult decision, but with the help and advice from lecturers at the University of Plymouth, So Good Studios landed on its feet and is still going strong.

What is the best, most exciting or fun thing that you have done in your career?

Since starting the company one of the most exciting moments was landing the first piece of contract work, which allowed us to continue working for months to come. This helped us to transform the dream of creating a sustainable company into a reality.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get into the same line of work?

Making your own work, showing it off, and learning to improve yourself through self-study is key. Show your work somewhere that people can go and look, like a portfolio website. I created blogs for the projects I was working on so that I could show off the progress I'd made over the year. This will show your dedication to employers and allow you to prove your value to a company.

How did studying at Plymouth help you?

With the help and support I've received from the University of Plymouth I've managed to pave my own career path through creating So Good Studios, and I now work each day doing something for which I have a true passion. This is something that wouldn't have been possible without the teachers and other students I met at the University of Plymouth.

How has a degree from the University of Plymouth influenced your career?

Without the skills honed at the University of Plymouth I wouldn't have been able to form the company that I work at today or be able to take on the work that has kept So Good Studios going. My time at Plymouth has helped me to form new friendships with a variety of people whose individual skills have contributed towards our success.

What is your favourite memory of studying at Plymouth?

During the second year the games development society held a Game Jam, where the task is to form small groups and create a game from scratch. We had many people from the course as well as other people with a genuine interest in game development there, and it was fantastic event with lots of fond memories.

Do you stay in touch with other University of Plymouth alumni or lecturers?

Since graduating I have kept in touch with many of my previous course friends through the society, as well as giving talks to younger students to help them the same way that I was helped during my studies. I also still keep in contact with some of the lecturers that used to teach me, to show how far So Good Studios has progressed since graduating.

Would you recommend undertaking a course with the University of Plymouth, and why?

For me, the University of Plymouth was a life changer and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to prove what they can truly achieve. The possibilities for your future career and the friends you make are just some of the incredibly rewarding things you'll get to do, and it's something I'm proud to be a part of.

Is there anything else which you would like to share with our current students?

University is about pushing yourself and proving how far you can go. It's not an easy feat, and you'll find that it can get overwhelming sometimes, but that's what makes it so rewarding once you've graduated. Don't give up and you'll surprise yourself with how much you can achieve.