<p>This past week we had over 30 different students engage with the Esports Academy with trials that we ran in 3 different games to determine which students would be involved with the <a href="https://champs.britishesports.org/">British Esports Student Championships</a> (BESC). Every student showed excellent professionalism and “good manners” to each other whilst competing for places with each student commenting on how much they enjoyed themselves and wanting to do it again!</p>

<p>On Tuesday we did our first set of try outs on Overwatch and had 12 students join in for 3 hours! Every single person played their very best and impressed with excellent displays of skill and high levels of communication. It was so difficult to make a final decision on the final team of 5 starters and 2 substitute players. In the end we decided to shortlist some candidates that we wanted to have another look at and give the other 4 players, who were unable to show up for the day, a fair chance to show off their skills. Roll on Thursday 29th for round 2!!</p>

<p>On Wednesday we had Valorant and an incredible 17 students showed up to try out! We split the students up into 3 teams as they all had two rounds against each other. Over the course of the 3 hours+ try out, the students gave us the opportunity to assess their skills, communication and teamwork. All of the students were impressive, and the games were highly entertaining, with our final game where we mixed the teams up for a second time being an extremely close match!</p>

<p>We had the difficult task again of choosing 5 starters and 3 substitutes and on Friday we announced our decisions after some considered assessments and consultation with each other. It wasn’t easy letting 9 students know that they hadn’t made it, but we anticipate that they will be back after the Winter split ends. The Valorant team has already spent 2 evenings training with each other and getting to know each other better, their passion and determination to improve and perform well in the BESC is inspiring to see.</p>

<p>Thursday was Rocket League day! We had another 7 students show up and try out for the team. The games were very exciting to watch with each player showing why they should be on the team. We spent a little over an hour and a half putting the students through their paces and eventually we managed to have a decision on the 5 students who would be representing us for the Winter split.</p>

<p>We are excited to see our Valorant and Rocket League teams in action this Wednesday within the BESC first round of the Swiss stage and we’re looking forward to the second round of trials for Overwatch on Thursday to determine the team that will be competing for us in our pursuit to get to Nationals in the spring, and hopefully the in person (LAN) Grand Finals at the British Esports Performance Center in June!</p>

<p paraeid="{29895f9a-e38b-4c50-a41f-55d714360e13}{244}" paraid="1813203013">Are you interested in pursuing a career in Software Development? Read our top tips on how you can get started today!&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{29895f9a-e38b-4c50-a41f-55d714360e13}{250}" paraid="728997367"><strong>What does a Software Developer do?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{1}" paraid="1097543939">Software Developers are an essential part of our ever-expanding digital world, but what do they actually do? Well, the simplest answer is, a lot! Software Developers’ work is vast and diverse. That film you watched on Netflix last night? The tweet you just sent from your phone? The new video game you cannot wait to play? All of that is thanks to Software Developers!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{21}" paraid="1956950506">Software Developers use their specialist programming skills to design, develop and test new software. This could be for a variety of areas - from online shopping retailers like ASOS, to social media platforms like <a href="https://twitter.com/westoncollege?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eser…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@westoncollege?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_devic…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">TikTok</a>. The job of a Software Developer is to ensure the user’s experience always reaches optimum levels by creating code, fixing bugs and continuously assessing the software to make improvements and adaptations.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{47}" paraid="221516850">Average Software Developer salary: £24K - £70K (According to <a href="https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/software-developer&…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Gov.uk</a>)&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{58}" paraid="1231131503">Software Developer jobs:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<ul role="list">
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="6" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{66}" paraid="1197772058">Applications Developer&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="6" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{73}" paraid="728276009">Web Designer&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="6" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{80}" paraid="861960613">Game Developer&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="6" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{80}" paraid="861960613">Software Engineer&nbsp;</p>
</li>
</ul>

<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{94}" paraid="643415099">Does this sound like your kind of job? Read on to find out how to get there!&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{100}" paraid="87897007"><strong>The Best Place to Start&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{106}" paraid="1534588590">To begin your journey towards a career in Software Development, find a course that will start from the beginning and support you to learn and hone the skills you need. Our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">T Level in Digital: Production, Design and Development</a> or <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/computing-and-…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Software Development Technician Apprenticeship</a> would be great places to start! A lot of jobs in the industry also require degree level education to access those higher progression routes. Luckily, there are a number of relevant courses available here in Weston-super-Mare through <a href="http://www.ucw.ac.uk/&quot; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University Centre Weston</a> (UCW): <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/applied-computing-bsc-hons/&quot; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">BSc (Hons) Applied Computing</a> and <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/ux-degree-apprenticeship/&quot; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Digital User Experience (UX) Degree Apprenticeship.</a>&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{162}" paraid="843162280">The BSc (Hons) Applied computing programme is a full-time 3 year degree that is delivered in partnership with the <a href="https://www.weiot.ac.uk/&quot; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">West of England Institute of Technology</a> – designed to collaboratively tackle skill shortages by providing relevant courses that directly link to industry demands.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{177}" paraid="2105758196"><strong>Decide on Your Goals&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{183}" paraid="802696426">Before you embark on your Software Development journey, have a think about where you see yourself in 3-5 years time. Do you want to work for an education provider or a game development company? Would you prefer to work in an office or remotely? Maybe you see yourself working freelance or for an agency?&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{196}" paraid="1881933695">Deciding what you want out of your career will help you navigate your training. Perhaps you need to think about a specific area you should develop your skills in. For example, if you want to pursue a career in a marketing, do you need to grow your understanding of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-general-data-pr…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">GDPR</a> and how information is properly stored?&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{225}" paraid="354514992">Once you have a clear idea of where you want to go, you can streamline and personalise your training or studies to better suit your goals.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{238}" paraid="2088080556"><strong>Learn the Language&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{244}" paraid="890641243">One of the most crucial ingredients in becoming a Software Developer is learning a programming language! For a successful career in this industry, you will need a good core understanding of one or more of the following: &nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<a href="https://dev.java/&quot; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Java</a> - is a programming language that works across a multitude of platforms including Android and the internet – primarily used for developing server-side applications.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<a href="https://www.python.org/&quot; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Python</a> – Generally considered the simplest and easiest to learn, Python is an excellent place to start if you’re new to the world of programming!&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
C/C++ - Used for a wide range of programming including software engineering, data structures, game programming, developing browsers, operating systems and applications.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<a href="https://www.scala-lang.org/&quot; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Scala</a> – Developed as a 'new and improved’ version of Java, Scala is an object-oriented language used for functional programming and strong static systems.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{34}" paraid="569291957"><strong>Find Your Niche&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{40}" paraid="618617865">While you study and improve your skills in the art of developing software, start to consider what you, as a Software Developer, want your niche to be. A niche is essentially a specialism – something that you’re great at, that will make employers and clients want YOU.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{60}" paraid="561003717">Maybe you want to progress into a career in web design, so gaining a fully comprehensive flare in <a href="https://wordpress.com/&quot; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Wordpress</a> or other content management systems (CMS) like <a href="https://www.squarespace.com/&quot; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Squarespace</a> or <a href="https://www.wix.com/&quot; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Wix</a> would be great for your portfolio!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{88}" paraid="782770494">Here are some more examples of areas you might find your niche:&nbsp;</p>

<ul role="list">
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="-" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;-&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="5" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{94}" paraid="1894416510">App Design/Development&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="-" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;-&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="5" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{101}" paraid="724889038">Data Science&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="-" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;-&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="5" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{108}" paraid="851549104">Cybersecurity&nbsp;</p>
</li>
</ul>

<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{115}" paraid="28082540"><strong>Produce Your Portfolio&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{125}" paraid="1151863649">Make sure you’re collating everything you create into a portfolio! Think of your portfolio as an extension of your CV, something that will let you say, “I am an incredible Software Developer, and this is why!”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{145}" paraid="2069266814">As you progress and develop, start to refine and curate your portfolio to reflect your absolute best work – ensuring that work is in-line with the Software Development jobs you want to apply for.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{174}" paraid="177885938">What should my portfolio include?&nbsp;</p>

<ul role="list">
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="8" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{180}" paraid="515763748">Name and contact information&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="8" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{187}" paraid="182654323">Link to your CV&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-listid="8" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{187}" paraid="182654323">Examples of your highest quality work&nbsp;</p>
</li>
</ul>

<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{201}" paraid="193738234">&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{205}" paraid="1766085696">If you stick to these top tips, along with committing time and effort into your studies, you’ll be a Software Developer before you know it!&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{218}" paraid="821929881">To explore our options in Computing and Digital Technologies <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">click here</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{229}" paraid="2058768490">To find out more about UCW’s Higher Education opportunities in Software Development, <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/subject/computing-and-digital-technologies/&quot; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">click here</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{240}" paraid="1674936585">&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rebecca is currently completing her <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu… and Technical Solutions course</a>, as an apprentice, and has recently competed in the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Championships.</p>

<p>The MOS Championship is an extension of the MOS certification programme, launched in 2010 to assess learner’s knowledge to prepare them for university and the workplace. The championship welcomes students from all over the world to compete head-to-head to win the title of MOS Champion.</p>

<p>Rebecca had previously completed the Excel course on the programme, so was familiar with MOS, and heard Weston College were running and had beat the MOS Course Week challenge but hadn’t heard of the full Championship at the time.</p>

<p>Completing the week challenge was motivation for Rebecca to then complete the Word Associate Course on the 23rd May, and whilst doing this, selected the option to enter the championship if she scored high enough on the associate course, not thinking she would ever reach the next stage. The associate course was to be carried out online, so Rebecca finished the projects, each of which containing 5-7 individual tasks to showcase her advanced skills on Word, and scored high enough on the course to be entered into the championship!</p>

<p>The final took place on the 15th June, and Rebecca completed the hour long exam in just 20 minutes! The exam ended up being slightly easier than she was expecting, but she believed this was due to rigorous revision of practice exams and questions on the lead up and on the day.</p>

<p>Overall, out of 30 competitors, Rebecca placed in sixth, with a score of 95%!</p>

<p>Rebecca commented: <em>“If you’re reading this and thinking of entering next year, practice as much as you can; LinkedIn learning have a huge range of courses that are really helpful for practicing and have loads of training material.”</em></p>

<p>She continued: <em>“The whole experience has been wonderful, and I never thought I’d get the chance to compete in a competition like this. I’m thrilled with my final score, and the skills I’ve gained from partaking are highly valuable; I’ll carry them with me all throughout my apprenticeship and future career.”</em></p>

<p>Congratulations, Rebecca!</p>