IGDA Foundation: Forging Inclusive Career Pathways Through Virtual Career Fairs with Gatherly

The gaming industry, a global powerhouse of creativity and innovation, has historically struggled with diversity. Recognizing the critical need to foster a more inclusive workforce, the IGDA Foundation is dedicated to supporting underrepresented talent. A key initiative in this effort was their BIPOC Career Fair, designed to create equitable access and opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour pursuing careers in gaming.

This case study highlights how the IGDA Foundation partnered with Gatherly to host a transformative virtual career fair platform, effectively bridging the gap between diverse talent and leading game studios, and championing diversity hiring events within the gaming industry jobs landscape.

The Challenge: Equitable Access in a Competitive Industry

The path to a career in gaming can be challenging, particularly for individuals from underrepresented communities. Traditional career fairs often present geographical and financial barriers, limiting participation. The IGDA Foundation aimed to create an accessible and impactful event that would not only connect BIPOC talent with recruiters but also foster genuine interactions and provide a platform for authentic discovery. The goal was to move beyond

conventional online job boards and create a dynamic environment for BIPOC career fairs that truly served its community.

The Solution: Gatherly’s Immersive Virtual Career Fair Platform

To overcome these challenges, the IGDA Foundation collaborated with Gatherly, leveraging its innovative virtual event platform to host the BIPOC Career Fair. Gatherly provided a digital space that mimicked the spontaneity and engagement of an in-person event, allowing for more natural interactions than typical video conferencing tools

Key features and outcomes of this partnership included:

● Digital Booths for Major Studios: Leading game studios participated with customizable digital booths, enabling them to showcase opportunities and engage with candidates effectively.

● Organic Candidate Exploration: Candidates could navigate the virtual fair freely,

exploring different studio booths and opportunities at their own pace, fostering authentic discovery.

● Direct Engagement with Recruiters: The platform facilitated direct, meaningful

conversations between candidates and recruiters, moving beyond impersonal

application processes.

● Gatherly Sponsorship and Support: Gatherly proudly sponsored and supported the event, demonstrating a shared commitment to diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry.

As the case study notes, Gatherly enabled equitable access, authentic discovery, and human connection at scale, proving to be an invaluable virtual career fair platform for the IGDA Foundation's mission.

The Impact: Meaningful Connections and Real Opportunities

The results of the BIPOC Career Fair were a resounding success, demonstrating the power of an inclusive and interactive virtual environment:

● 117 Applicants: The fair attracted a significant number of applicants, indicating a strong demand for such inclusive initiatives.

● Countless Meaningful Connections: Beyond raw numbers, the platform fostered

numerous genuine interactions, leading to valuable networking opportunities and potential career pathways.

● Support for Entry-Level Developers: The event specifically helped entry-level developers from BIPOC communities access real opportunities in an industry that greatly benefits from diverse voices.

This initiative underscores the IGDA Foundation's commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive gaming workforce, and Gatherly's role in making these diversity hiring events a reality. The success of the fair highlights how technology can be a powerful enabler for social change, ensuring that talent from all backgrounds has the chance to thrive in gaming industry jobs.

Conclusion: Paving the Way for a Diverse Gaming Future

By partnering with Gatherly, the IGDA Foundation successfully created an impactful BIPOC career fair that addressed critical needs within the gaming industry. This collaboration not only provided a platform for underrepresented talent to connect with opportunities but also set a new standard for how virtual career fair platforms can be utilized to foster diversity and inclusion. The success of this event is a testament to the power of authentic connection and equitable access in building a more representative and innovative future for gaming.