Experiences of year in industry (animation degree)

[QGMum]

My dc is doing a degree in animation and the uni offers the option of a year in industry. Dc in first year now and the year in industry would be between 2nd and 3rd years. Dc is aware that finding a job after graduation will be challenging but says they don’t want to do the year in industry as a) they don’t want to ‘spend a year fetching coffee’ and b) want to graduate with their friendship group so if friends not doing this they don’t want to.

I know nothing about the field of animation so interested in any views on a year in industry and whether I should try to encourage them to reconsider their view on this (may make no difference as dc pays little attention to me but I can only try!)

I would really recommend the Year in industry tbh. It's hard enough for graduates to get work in animation as jobs are in short supply atm & most employers are looking for some sort of work experience, so having that at graduation is a huge advantage.

A decent employer would not expect someone to make tea for a year, but being flexible, eager, proactive & happy to muck in goes a long way.

I say all this as someone who employs people in the animation industry!

I would ask your student what they think the year in industry is for in practical terms and have a chat about it, perhaps with someone from school.

Because that year is very much to learn about the industry from the inside, meet contacts and have demonstrable experience on graduating, experience that others competing in the job market may, or may not have.

For something like animation, it is absolutely an essential part of the degree.

Your DD absolutely should do the year out if she has that option. Getting a job in TV/Gilm/Gaming is incredibly difficult and more often than not does involve "running" I.e. making coffee and getting lunches while waiting for a break. My DD works in VFX post production and that's how she started. Commercial experience and a network are ESSENTIAL if she wants to avoid 2 years of making coffee after graduation.

Thank you all for your replies. You’ve confirmed my suspicion that passing up the opportunity for a year in industry would be a poor choice.