Creative Careers Festival

The creative sector is broad and it encompasses an enormous range of talent. The sector includes a variety of roles in areas such as tv and film, heritage, music, journalism, and other creative industries, with different entry requirements and skill sets needed to succeed. 

Many Oxford students are passionate about the creative sector. To support this, the Creative Careers Festival in the 4th week of Hilary term features a series of engaging panel discussions, featuring expert career advisors and inspiring guest speakers who will share valuable insights and experiences. These sessions are designed to motivate and guide you as you explore your next career steps, offering practical advice and inspiration from professionals who have succeeded in the creative industries.

Creative Careers Festival: 9 - 13 February 2026

 HILARY TERM: 4TH WEEK 

Below is the list of online and in-person events for the Creative Careers Festival. 

About the sessions

Monday 9 February 

Expert Q&A: How to Be a Freelancer

Online event, 12:00 - 13:30

Curious about freelancing but not sure how to begin? In this Q&A, you’ll hear from an experienced creative freelancer who has built a sustainable career in the sector. They’ll share clear and practical insights into how freelancing really works, including how to find clients, set your rates, manage your time and income, and build a portfolio.

Creative Careers Festival Keynote: The Future of the Creative Industries

In person at the Careers Service, 17:00-18:30

Join us and our keynote speaker to launch our Creative Careers Festival 2026. This is a unique opportunity to hear and learn from a leading figure within the creative industries - about their personal career journey and current and future trends in the sector. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the events we are hosting during the Festival.

Tuesday 10 February 

Expert Panel Discussion: Marketing, Branding and Communications Careers

Online event, 12:00 - 13:15

During this session the panellists will share their career journeys, offer advice on breaking into the field, and discuss key topics such as: the different roles that exist within the sector; what skills and attributes you need to succeed; and how to be gain valuable experience while at university through societies, internships, projects, and volunteering.

Expert Panel Discussion: Music Industry Careers

Online event, 17:00-18:15

Join this session for an engaging discussion where experts will share their career journeys, offer valuable advice on skill development, and provide insights into securing work experience and job opportunities within the dynamic music industry.

Wednesday 11 February

Expert Q&A: Radio & Podcasting Careers

Online event, 12:00 - 13:15

Join us for a unique opportunity to hear from the producer of popular The Rest is Entertainment – the podcast that pulls back the curtain on television, films, journalism and more with Richard Osman and Marina Hyde. Joey will reveal tips and tricks on how to get into podcasting  and producing.  

Expert Q&A : How to Write for a Living

Online event, 17:00 - 18:15

Do you dream of making a career out of writing? Whether it’s crafting compelling fiction, delving into non-fiction, creating academic works, or even shaping storylines for games, this event is for you. Join a published authors as they share their experiences of breaking into the industry and making a living through their craft.

Thursday 12 February

Expert Panel Discussion: TV & Film Careers

Online event, 12:00 - 13:15

Join us for our exciting panel event about careers in the screen industries. This is an exclusive and unique opportunity to hear from professionals across TV and film talk about their careers, offer advice about developing relevant skills and finding work experience and jobs. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions.

Graduate Schemes in the Creative Industries

Online event, 13:30 - 14:30

This session will cover graduate schemes that exist in the Creative Industries, across sectors such as Marketing & Communications, Media & Journalism and Publishing. We will look at how graduate schemes are typically structured and recruited and how/where to find them. We will also cover what approach to take if there aren’t any suitable graduate schemes in your chosen role type or sector.

Expert Panel Discussion: Publishing & Journalism Careers

Online event, 17:00 - 18:00

Hear advice and top tips from publishing and journalism professionals during this online panel discussion. We have invited a range of editors, journalists and writers to help you work out whether you would like to go into these industries and how best to go about that. Do you need a masters? What can you do at Oxford to improve your chances? What can you put in your applications to get you noticed? The panel will share what they think made a difference for them in their careers and what they wish they had known when they started out.

Friday 13 February 

Expert Panel Discussion: Culture & Heritage Careers

Online event, 12:00 - 13:15

Join us for our exciting panel event about careers in the Culture and Heritage sector. This is an exclusive and unique opportunity to hear from professionals across the sector, talk about their careers, offer advice about developing relevant skills and finding work experience and jobs. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions.

How to Gain Experience in the Creative Industries

Online event, 15:00 - 16:00

In this session we will explore the variety of ways you can develop your skills and gain relevant experience whilst at Oxford and beyond.