New Round for School Internship in Hamburg-Based Games Companies: January 2023

The School Internship Games program, hosted in Hamburg, serves as a strategic initiative to introduce 9th-grade students to professional career paths within the local games industry. By facilitating direct engagement between students and established development studios, the program aims to cultivate future talent and bridge the gap between academic education and industry requirements. This initiative highlights the importance of early vocational exposure in a sector that remains a significant economic pillar for the region.

The January 2023 iteration of the program offered 20 placement spots, evenly distributed between boys and girls, and balanced across district and grammar schools. Participants engaged in a three-week curriculum hosted by industry partners, including InnoGames, Goodgame Studios, and FISHLABS, alongside the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg). Under the guidance of media educators from the Creative Gaming initiative, students performed practical tasks in game design, programming, and audio production, culminating in a final presentation of their work.

This program represents a collaborative effort within the Hamburg games ecosystem, which comprises over 180 companies. By providing hands-on experience and professional mentorship, the initiative addresses the industry's ongoing need for qualified young professionals. Beyond this specific internship, the broader Gamecity Hamburg organization supports talent development through its Gamecity@School program, which facilitates direct interactions between industry experts and students in classroom settings. These efforts underscore a regional commitment to sustaining Hamburg’s status as a vibrant hub for game development through proactive workforce development and educational outreach.