Hey all... I just finished getting my Associates in Computer Science, and I'm deciding where to go for my Bachelors. I'm really wondering what it'll be like when I first start working for a gaming company (if I can even Start there). Do the rookies start at some sort of help-desk answering phones all day, or can you jump straight into programming? I'm fine with working/earning my way up; I'd just like to know how high the climb will be. Or, do most people have to start as interns? Obviously it must differ from one company to the next, so I'm just talking in general. After getting my feet wet, I know I'd be fine. I'm just curious about getting started. Thanks Tons, MIKE

If your applying for a programming position, you will (should) start programming. If they want to put you on the help desk, go somewhere else.

Generally new programmers are assigned "safe" tasks such as tools, and work their way up from there. Whether or not a company wants to hire you as an intern first and possibly promote you to full time later depends entirely on the company.

anything looks better on a cv then nothing. Accept any job that you think will teach you something (even "soft" skills like working with people on a helpdesk can be useful on a cv of a programmer)... and keep applying for sommit better until find somewhere you are happy to stay.

Nothing turns off potential employers quite like long periods of unemployment.

I recently read a thread on Jonathan Harbour's site, http://www.jharbour.com that addressed this topic and, I feel, really put things in perspective for me at least. Instead of quoting what he said here, this is the link to the topic on his forums: http://www.jharbour.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=10&t=7&s=19213f45482b710bb9cbedcf59239266

Quote: Original post by The Master
I recently read a thread on Jonathan Harbour's site, http://www.jharbour.com that addressed this topic and, I feel, really put things in perspective for me at least. Instead of quoting what he said here, this is the link to the topic on his forums: http://www.jharbour.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=10&t=7&s=19213f45482b710bb9cbedcf59239266

Very nice, thanks for the link.

Linked version of it

Hey thanks for the link guys... my 1st game dev book was "Beginning Game Programming" which he wrote. :-) I'm happy to say that I fit into his view of people that can and will be successful in this industry. I can't get enough of game programming, and I'm always putting what I learn to practice. I'm actually finishing up my first 2 very own "full-length" games (one 2D and another in 3D), which I'm very excited about. I think I'll have to join the Paid membership here at gamedev.net so I can put my games in the showcase.