Getting started in
the web industry
Miles Burke
Edith Cowan University, 16 October 2007

So, who are you?
Our next talented breed of web designers, developers, project
managers, UI experts, usability consultants, SEO wizards, etc...

So, who am I?
Director; Bam Creative. Chairperson; Australian Web Industry
Association. Member; Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Designer (Dip. Commercial Art). Blogger. 40under40 winner (2007).

How did I end up here?
Working at a service station in 1994, bought computer and got
online. Started freelancing (badly), worked as creative director for
web companies then media companies, learning about managing
sta and running businesses. Went freelance (again) in 2002, hired
sta, grew business, hired more sta, kept growing, still learning.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/denis_fox/1112069912/

What’s Bam Creative?
Founded 2002, Inglewood based web company, half of a larger
company called Westway (other half is Bekkers, an IT company).
15 sta (~40 total), 350+ clients, 80+ projects at any time, 1 coee
machine, 1 arcade game and group annual turnover of ~ $6m.

Bam Sta
15 people of the group total of 40
47% graduated from ECU.
85% have a University or TAFE education.
Average age is 25.
Teams broken into design, development and administration.
63% of them have their own blog.
100% of them drink beer and coee.

Our designers
Use Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver.
May also use InDesign, Flash, After Eects & more.
Good level of interpersonal skills and written/spoken communication
Enjoy noise, like beer, don’t understand developers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jepoirrier/349613923/

Our developers
Typically MySQL and PHP 5.
Also know PHP 4, JS, CSS, AJAX, database design, etc.
Good level of interpersonal skills and written/spoken communication
Enjoy silence, like coee, don’t understand designers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eifion/171413582/

Lessons learnt on this journey
University only starts to prepare you for work.
Working for others allows you to learn before trying it yourself.
Old school lessons about hard work and constant learning is true.
It’s very important to network and meet people.
You don’t get anywhere without planning.

We’re facing boom times
Don’t let that make you apathetic...

Companies want gold not rubbish
You need to work at being an attractive new recruit (and stay that
way once you’ve got that gig!)

Understand your skills
You should know what you’re good at, and bad at, and target the
best job for your skills. Be honest with yourself and employers.

Polish your resume
You might find lolcats funny (geek!) but potential employers wont.
Resumes and introduction letters aren’t the place for txt-spk.

Use social networks
Sites like facebook, myspace, twitter, pounce, linked up, etc are a
great way to expand networks and get to know others in your
industry. Hey, one could be your future boss!

Network in real life
Join industry and user groups like Port80 (www.port80.asn.au),
AGDA, PADC, Perth SIGGRAPH, DLF, Meetup, Perth Bloggers, etc
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lachlanhunt/254088928/

Research where you want to work
Find web company lists (www.webindustry.com.au) or use phone
books, visit websites, research and short list then approach them.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/genewolf/147722350/

Stand out from the crowd
Get attention, stand out from other applicants by being confident,
eloquent, well dressed, understand your own skills and
knowledgeable about the company and the position available.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/praatafrikaans/315196853/

Once you’ve got the job
Work harder than everyone else. Keep improving skills. Spend some
personal time learning every week. Plan for your next position now.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/muchadoaboutnothing/440872101/

CSS Ninja wanted
www.bamwantsyou.com

Questions?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drachmann/327122302/

Thank you!
Miles Burke
www.milesburke.com.au
www.bam.com.au
www.webindustry.asn.au