We managed to get a hold of everyone’s favourite oracle, Davey, for some top tips on getting a job in Dundee. We’ve asked him important questions about living and working in the city.
Davey, if you’re looking for a job in Dundee, what kinds of jobs are you likely to find?
- Where else is there to start, other than the birthplace of the Scottish games industry. Dundee has a rich heritage in the video game industry. It was here that the worldwide smash hit video game series, Grand Theft Auto, was created. It was also in this iconic Scottish city that the cult classic, Lemmings, originated. The city is a vibrant hub for video game developers and offers a number of specialised jobs – Programmers, Animators, Software Developers, Game Designers and Visual Artists among others.
- There are also a number of jobs in the Health Sector, which is one of the largest areas of employment in Dundee. Wide ranging in core skills, current positions in the Health and Medical sector include GPs, Registered Nurses, Clerical and Administrative roles as well as an array of specialist positions.
- The creative sector isn’t limited to the video games industry in Dundee though, as the city is home to one of the largest media organisations in the UK in DC Thomson. Home of The Beano, The Dandy and producer of The Dundee Courier, jobs in the media sector here range from Features Editor to Sales Executives.
- On the Engineering front, the Dundee based Galloway Group is also another prominent employer in the region. Areas of work vary from Electricians to Fabricator Welders while the firm has only recently created more jobs at its HQ in Wester Gourdie.
That sounds great! Tell me though, how do I crack the video games industry?
- If you fancy your chances working in the Video Games industry, Dundee really is the place to be in the UK. Abertay University was the first educational establishment in the world to offer a computer games degree back in 1997. Since then, it – and its students – have never looked back, with the university churning out hundreds of gaming graduates each year.
- Not convinced? Well, Abertay University was the educational home of David Jones, founder of DMA Design Ltd that then became Rockstar North – the company responsible for Lemmings and more recently, introducing Grand Theft Auto to the world. Take a bow lad.
- Fun fact: Dundee has been voted as one of the 7 smartest cities in the world on 3 occasions – most recently in 2010 – by the Intelligent Community Forum – a non-profit policy research organisation that focuses on job creation and economic development in the broadband community.
Got it! So who are the biggest companies to look out for and what type of jobs are there?
- NHS Tayside is the largest employer in the area closely followed by Dundee City Council. The council currently has a host of jobs in a range of different areas of work on com
- Other prominent areas of work in Dundee can vary with positions on s1jobs.com ranging in different areas from Education and Sales.
- Dundee isn’t only about video games and local authority work though. There are also different jobs in Social Services with housing and homeless charity, Shelter, as well as a range of jobs in Administration.
Once you’ve got a job… best places for a great post-work pint?
- Now for the important stuff! Regardless of where you work in the city, get yourself along to the BrewDog bar for a craft beer from the Scottish based brewery. You’ll find it close to Dundee town centre and a stone’s throw from Abertay University – as long as you don’t mind mingling with students, it’s a great place for a beer.
- You’ll also find a few other watering holes such as Duke’s Corner, The Lowdown and The Phoenix – each place as decent as the last.
- Other than searching for the customary post-work pint, Dundee has an endless list of things to do in downtime away from the office. For history buffs there’s the Verdant Works that documents the story of jute and Discovery Point, where Captain Scott’s famous polar exploration ship RRS Discovery is docked. For an inspiring view head to the historic Broughty Castle and Dundee Law, an extinct volcano around 400 million years old and a landmark of the city.
Thanks, Davey! We’ll see you next time for more of your helpful insights and advice.
- Definitely – I’m looking forward to it already!