If you''re looking for a job programming games, learn to program.
If you''re looking for a job illustrating for games, learn to illustrate.

While candidates with industry experience are preferred, anyone with the relevant skillset will be considered.

The best advantage that getting a non-gamedevelopment job confers is the ability to make rent and car payments as you build up your skills.

$0.02

I totally agree that bucks don''t make games, people do. Just remember that a good percentage of those millions of dollars are salary expenses. Nobody involved in a large project/company works for free. Industry doesn''t work that way. However, if you are an independant programmer you are working for yourself and for the fun of creating your games. You could care less about a salary becuase you''re at home doing what you want. If your game gets published, more power to you.