Here's the story: I'm a 25-year-old in Fullerton, CA living with my folks. Just got my BS in CS. I've been working retail at Disneyland for 3.5 years now, and I'm more than eager to move on to something that I'm actually interested in. On top of that, my parents will start charging me rent in a couple months (assuming I'm still living here), so that's some extra motivation to find a "real" job. I would like to do something in game development, though I don't know what area to specialize in. Although my degree is in CS and I've done plenty of code work in school, my hobbies over the years have centered around writing music, doing graphics, sound editing, and even a little 3-D modeling/animation. Frankly, I could see myself doing any of these things. Should I try to find an internship at a game company, in the hopes that they might eventually decide to keep me and start paying me? When applying, should I advertise myself as a jack-of-all-trades, or focus on one particular area? Or should I just find a regular IT position, and then somewhere down the road use that experience to try and get into the game industry? I'd appreciate any input you peeps can give to a guy who doesn't really know where to start. :P

Try for the dream. If your not qualified they will probably rule you out immediately, but if you don't try, you'll never find out.

If you listen to me at all, take what I say with the following grain of salt: I'm still in college. I don't know anyone who has tried to get into the game industry.

Now what I have to say:
I'd say go for it, try for what you want, because your chances in the future may be more limited to go for it. Though to be safe you may want to spread your options out a bit, apply for some other jobs that arent strictly game programming, that way you might get an offer to take in the event that you simply cant get a paying industry job...

This is a toughie! I would suggest just taking a job that *pays* you at first. I mean you have to have money right? It'd better to go ahead and get financially secured before you venture off into the game programming world. I mean if you put in all the time and effort, and are never hired or decide you do not like it, then you are at a big disadvantage. After you start that job, you can add on your game development intrests on the side. The resources you will need in a game career are quite expensive, so you will be getting a good head start on being able to afford them - no matter what you choose, graphics, sound, programming, etc... Not only that, you can start to think about what you want to do rather than just jump right in. You know what they say, look before you leap. I say go ahead with the 'real job' for now, considering your parents are gonna charge you rent [wink].

- Drew

[edit] Following xanin's post. I too am in college (Freshman 2nd sem, SE major) and do not know anyone going to into the business, but I am an avid game programming myself and I've already started with my goals to make games in my career. [/edit]

There's no harm in testing the water, you may get lucky....meanwhile, get an IT job to gain relevant work experience and continue building up your creative portfolio in your spare time.

While applying to games companies I would focus on what you're good at...your other skills may be used at a later stage anyway, depending on the company.

You waited till after you graduated to ask this question? Ask yourself honestly, do you want to work really, really hard for very little pay to make games? If the answer is yes, then try to get a resume that shows the companies you are interested in why you would be an asset to their team. Don't spam your resume out, handcraft it and your cover letter to the companies you are interested in. Have something that shows your work prepared, but honestly, if your resume doesn't catch their eye, they will never look at teh other stuff you have prepared. Seriously.

Beatfox I sent you an email at "beat at beatfox dot com" please read it ASAP. =)