Jack England
Current Employer/Organisation Name
YRS TRULY
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
After I graduated from Exeter, I was fortunate enough to secure a job at the University’s press office through a Graduate Business Partnership. I worked there for just under a year before moving to work as Head of Account Management at a bespoke web agency in Exeter. I stayed there for three years before managing to secure a job within the games industry; a long term dream of mine. I worked at a PR agency within the games industry (for clients such as Kojima Productions, SEGA and Plaion) before moving to YRS TRULY, where I am now, working closely with content creators and clients to develop exciting and engaging activations and events.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted a job within the games industry. However, with no appropriate technical or artistic skills I had to look at alternative ways to enter the industry in a way that suited me. While at university, I found a real interest in running events and running interesting campaigns for societies and groups and so took this into my work. At the moment, my favourite part of work is coming up with exciting and engaging ideas for campaigns, finding unique ways to engage audiences with the new title!
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
While at Exeter I was a Games Editor of Exeposé (a section of the newspaper I don’t think exists anymore!) and I also founded, and was President for three years of, my own society – Retro Games Society – which was designed to be the other side of the coin to eSports Society. Neither society exists now, but my vision of having a unified video game society at Exeter seems to have come to pass!
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
I enjoyed the freedom of flexibility when it came to choosing modules and options. I was able to try out courses within Anthropology, Philosophy and more while doing my main degree and that was fantastic.
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
Being local to the area, I loved the greenery and countryside of and around Exeter. I love how the university, being a campus, meant that everything was in one place and separate from the rest of the city.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
I grew up in Devon, so being able to return home and be near family was very important to me especially as when I started university it was a very difficult time for myself and my family due to my father passing away shortly before. Exeter was a world leading university on my doorstep, and I didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity to attend just for the experience of “going away from home”.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
The experience of running events through university societies was very helpful in showing I understood how to run things similar to creator events – which is something I do every day now!
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
I would advise any student to simply pursue what they love. Marketing, PR, creator advertising etc. can be done in any industry, so it’s important to seek out one that you love and feel passionate about! For me, that was games, but I have known others who have succeeded in their interests; fashion, automobiles, religion, politics! Anything! Simply pursue what you love and always focus on enjoying yourself and you will make it to where you want to be.
What are your plans for the future?
In the future I plan to continue working at YRS TRULY and hopefully work my way to becoming a director as the company transitions to becoming a cooperative.
