Callum began his journey as a content creator just before joining NESCol to study games design – and has since built YouTube channels with hundreds of thousands of followers!

Callum Gibb (19) from Aberdeen first studied at NESCol on the School-College Cyber Security NPA while he was still a pupil at Hazelhead Academy. After leaving school, he decided to continue his learning at College to open up more career opportunities.

Callum had always enjoyed gaming and watching gaming content online. With some free time in the summer before term started, he launched his first YouTube channel, creating gaming content that would eventually grow into multiple successful channels.

He said, “I was looking for something productive and creative to focus on. At first, it was simply a hobby and an opportunity to learn new editing techniques, but I quickly found that I enjoyed the creative process.”

Callum now runs multiple YouTube channels with impressive audiences, including his first channel which has grown to over 200,000 subscribers.

Studying games design

Although Callum wasn’t sure about what career path he wanted to follow, he decided to join the Introduction to Computer Games Design course in 2022.

He said, “As someone who creates gaming content online, I was interested in learning more about how games are actually made.

“The course gave me the opportunity to explore that interest while gaining practical skills and qualifications. One project involved creating my own 2D game, and I also learned about copyright – knowledge that I still use today for my channels.”

Callum continued to develop his skills at College, progressing through the games design courses.

He said, “Throughout my time at NESCol, I developed a wide range of technical, creative and problem-solving skills while continuing to build my experience as a content creator.

“I enjoyed the variety of projects I worked on. Being able to apply what I learned in College to my own interests made the experience more engaging.”

Internship opportunity

During the first year of his HND, Callum completed three months of work experience with a media company that specialised in producing interview content for oil and gas professionals.

Callum said, “My lecturer, Nathan Noble, found out about my video editing experience and put me in touch with the company owner. This was my first experience in a professional workplace, and it gave me valuable insight into the full production process.

“They then offered me an internship opportunity which allowed me to gain further industry experience. It was rewarding to see the work I had put in recognised.”

Lecturer support

Balancing College work with an internship was challenging, but Callum learned how to manage his time effectively. However, at one point this became difficult and he started to fall behind.

He said, “One of my lecturers noticed and offered to help, taking time out of their own schedule to support me to get back on track to meet my deadlines. It’s something they didn’t have to do, and I was extremely grateful for the support they provided.

“Experiences like this showed me that the lecturers genuinely care about helping students succeed.”

College highlights

Callum has thrived at NESCol. He said, “Some of the friendships and connections I have made are something I will take with me long after finishing my course.

“College is very different from school. The environment is more relaxed and professional, and lecturers treat you with respect while still pushing you to achieve your best.”

In 2023, Callum was the Go Innovate! winner at the Go Celebrate! student awards.

He said, “Winning the award was a proud moment for me as it recognised creativity, innovation and a willingness to embrace new ideas and technology.

“NESCol has helped me develop in many positive ways over the last four years. Looking back, I am much more confident than when I first started, and I have had opportunities that I never expected when I left school.

“From gaining industry experience through my internship, to growing my skills as a content creator, to meeting new people and receiving support from lecturers, my time at NESCol has played a big role in my personal and professional development.

“I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given and for the support I have received throughout my studies. As I move on to the next chapter, I am excited to see what the future holds and where the skills and experiences I have gained at NESCol will take me.”

Future plans

Callum has invested a lot into his YouTube channels, taking the time to learn trends, develop his skills and upgrade equipment and software. Although he has had a lot of success with his content, he plans to keep this as a side business.

He said, “Growing my channels took a lot of time, consistency and patience.

“While YouTube has given me some incredible opportunities, I see it more as a hobby and creative outlet than a long-term career. Creating content full-time can be unpredictable, and for me, the enjoyment comes from the creative process, learning new skills and seeing what I can achieve with each new project.”

Callum’s time at College has helped him consider a different career path, and he is now hoping to join the police!

He said, “My immediate goal is to obtain my driving licence and then apply to join Police Scotland.

“Over the last few years, I feel that my confidence, work ethic and ability to manage responsibilities have grown significantly. I would like to build on those skills in a completely different environment and challenge myself in new ways.

“More than anything, I would like to have a good structure in my life and be happy with what I am doing.”

Advice for students

Callum’s said, “My biggest piece of advice would be to choose a course that genuinely interests you. You don’t need to have your entire future planned out, but having an interest in the subject will make it much easier to stay motivated and get the most out of your time at College.

“Most importantly, make the most of the opportunities available to you. Whether it’s projects, work experience, competitions or networking opportunities, getting involved can help you develop skills, gain confidence and discover new career paths that you may not have considered before.”

Study games design at NESCol

Callum’s journey highlights how studying games design can help you build transferable skills for your future career.

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