Summer Work Placement Program for Black Youth & Emerging Professionals

Work Placement Program for Black Youth & Emerging Professionals

Interactive Ontario is excited to announce the renewal of the 2023 paid Summer Work Placement Program for Black Youth & Emerging Professionals ages 18 – 35. With the Ontario Ministry’s continued support, this initiative provides a pipeline of black talent to Ontario IDM studios that can offer meaningful short-term employment and training opportunities in the IDM sector. We currently have over 100 resumes collected and we expect more to be added in the coming weeks. Deadline for employers to express interest is Mon. May 15 so please email internship@interactiveontario.com for details on how to register your studio for consideration of this opportunity. There are a limited number of work placement positions available.

And Many more!

For Employers

Are you looking to increase your talent pool? Register to our Resume Database and receive exclusive assess to over 100+ resumes.

All IO members are eligible to register for access to our Resume Database, which is a free searchable web based platform with all of our career seekers resumes for you to see. The Resume Database will be made available to all registered studios beginning March 10th, 2023 for one year. The career seekers were registrants of the IO Career Fair held in March of 2023 who submitted their resumes for future consideration from Ontario based IDM employers.

Employers currently registered to review the resume database include:

OM CONCEPTS_LOGO+MASCOT_BLUE – Ocean Mouse

C09A82FE-C3F4-48A4-BA32-631D02B54ADF – Linda Tran

For Career Seekers

Are you looking to enter the Interactive Digital Media industry?

The video game/immersive interactive digital media sector in Ontario is made up of hundreds of motivated companies, employing thousands of immensely talented individuals, and we want you to be one of them!

Consider registering to our Resume Database to provide your information and resume. Your profile will be made available to our registered member studios looking to employ diverse talent this coming year.

To be eligible for registration, you must self-identify as Black, be between the ages of 19 – 35 years old and a resident of Ontario.

1. Register for the Career Seeker Database

Provide your resume, your availability, and key information to include in your profile. When registered employers are reviewing the database in search of talent, you will be contacted if you are a potential candidate.

2. Complete the Career Readiness Modules

Complete our in-depth career modules to be interview ready for your dream job (optional).

Start Modules

3. Browse the Career Profiles

Learn about the career journeys of seasoned Black professionals in the industry (optional).

Browse Career Profiles

Get Prepared

Prepare yourself for the a work placement by completing the training modules to refresh your skill set.

Training Modules

Bring your best foot forward by taking courses with our industry experts.

Watch and learn from the online career readiness training modules available to help you in your job search.

Learn from industry experts

Interview Training & Job Searching with Kadine Cooper

Get your foot in the door, the right way. Learn the ropes of connecting with your interviewer and preparing for interview day, online or in person.

Confidence Building with Ingrid Forrest

Walk confidently into your new job by learning these tips and tricks with the one and only Ingrid Forrest.

The Journey of Networking with Colleen Phillips-Davis

Turn those weak ties into strong associations & leverage your skills by being authentically YOU!

Building a Stellar Resume & LinkedIn with Ingrid Forrest

Does your resume and Linkedin profile need an upgrade? We got you! Learn the latest tips & tricks to level up and put your best foot forward.

Designing a Digital Portfolio with Kurston Timothy

Don't know where to start designing a portfolio? You are in luck! Our insider expert, Kurston, will share key elements that employers will look for in your portfolio.

Career Profiles

Learn about the career paths of experienced industry professionals and how they found their way to success in the interactive digital media industry.

Click a career profile to learn more!

Venessa Nyarko

Senior Producer, The Coalition at XBOX

Shiann Nias

Freelance Animator

Indigo Doyle

Creative Lead, Pushing Vertices

Javon Swaby

Game Community Manager, Gameloft Toronto

Rob Elsworthy

Game Developer/Director –

Roderick Nevers

Software Engineer, Snowed In Studios

Joann Pollard

Global Brand Manager, Electronic Arts

Shaun Jennings

Technical Art Director, Ubisoft

Career Coach

Ibiyemi Balogun

Recognized as Talent Egg’s 2020 Career Coach of the Year, Ibiyemi Balogun is a Career Consultant who passionately provides career development services with clientele from an extensive background. She has worked with clients in Technology, Financial Services, Digital Media, Retail, Post-secondary, Nonprofit, Government, Telecommunications, Entrepreneurship, and everything in between.

With an extensive background in HR, Career Services, and Business Development, Ibiyemi has over 9 years of experience in Recruitment and 10+ years in coaching.

Program Information

This is a paid internship placement program for Black Youth and Emerging Professionals between the ages of 18 – 35 who is an Ontario resident looking to enter the interactive digital media industry.

Work placements are 8-weeks long and they can start as early as May 2023 and must be completed by Aug 29, 2023. Depending on the employer, placement opportunities includes a mix of hybrid, on-site, or remote positions.

In addition to a placement at an Ontario IDM studio, the participants will be provided professional development resources including access to free online career readiness training modules and tailored one-on-one coaching (3 sessions over the course of the period of the program).

2023 Presenting

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