I'm interested in entering the game development industry eventually. I was wondering what are some good ways to spend my time right now in order to secure a good job. I'm a second year Computer Science Engineering student at Ohio State University, and I think I'll be here for about another 3 years. I have not had any internships yet (I'm looking for one) and I have not worked at any relevant jobs (except maybe an art apprenticeship). I am currently working on a pretty big project (a game) in my free time (which I have a lot of). It's fairly ambitious, as I have not had much experience before, but I am very committed to this and am spending all the necessary time to thoroughly research what I don't know. I'm trying to finish it within a year, although I will have the technical parts (everything but the art/music/story) complete by the end of the summer. I have a pretty wide range of relevant interests outside of programming, such as digital art, digital music composition, and storyline writing. What's the best (most realistic) approach to enter the industry? Here are the major questions: 1) What kind of internships should I try to get? 2) What do companies look for in a resume? 3) Are many small projects better for my resume than a single big one? My biggest hope is to start my own company with a friend. Is that an unrealistic short term goal, or should I first focus on getting employed somewhere developed first? Thanks for your input.

Swa wrote:

>what are some good ways to spend my time right now in order to secure a good job.
>I'm a second year ... student at ... University... I am currently working on a pretty big project (a game) in my free time ...

PERFECT. You're spending your time exactly right.

>1) What kind of internships should I try to get?

Apply for the ones you want. Accept the ones you are offered.

>2) What do companies look for in a resume?

A. a degree. B. a portfolio of work.

>3) Are many small projects better for my resume than a single big one?

Those are not your only two options. Just follow your passions. The path will become clearer the farther along it you go. FAQ 40.

>My biggest hope is to start my own company with a friend.

That's a fine long-term goal.

>Is that an unrealistic short term goal,

You'll get a lot of different opinions on that. My opinion: yes. Read FAQ 29. http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson29.htm

>or should I first focus on getting employed somewhere developed first?

My opinion: yes.

[Edited by - tsloper on April 12, 2007 1:32:47 PM]

Quote: Original post by Swarmer
What's the best (most realistic) approach to enter the industry? Here are the major questions:
1) What kind of internships should I try to get?
2) What do companies look for in a resume?
3) Are many small projects better for my resume than a single big one?

1> Any job you like is the one you should seek. Any honorable work is what you should accept.

The GameDevMap search for Ohio only shows one company in that area, although there may be more. You might be able to get a job there.

Otherwise, just apply for whatever jobs suit your interests. If you are interested in console development, you might look into companies that make embedded electronics, POS terminals, or other applications that run on similar hardware. If you are interested in graphics or sound, you might look for companies working in graphics or sound industries (even if you aren't directly working with those components) or work with any digital stream processing such as small sensors, scanners, detectors, and so on.

Given the current national economy, you should probably be able to find something nearby that suits your interests. If you can't find anything that suits your interests, take whatever job is available. Holding any job is important for many reasons, even if it isn't the 'perfect' job.

2> I look for two things: Can you do the job well? Will you fit in? A college degree, your work history, and an optional portfolio are evidence of the first one. Your personality, demeanor, and work history are evidence of the second one.

3> It depends.

If you have completed many small projects it is evidence that you can finish what you start, which is evidence you can do the job well. If you completed one large project is is evidence that you can finish something big, which is also evidence you can do the job well. If you have incomplete projects it is evidence AGAINST you, not for you.

Having lots of small projects may indicate that you have a wide range of talents which counts in your favor, or that you just hop between whims which can count against you.

As Tom mentioned, there are many other options available to you as well.



Right now you should focus on getting your degree more than anything. That is the #1 piece of evidence that says you can do a job well. It is a large project, is is working in the field, it requires dedication and doing things you may not enjoy, and it gives you life experience.

It would be extremely difficult to get a 'real' job in software without the diploma.

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess I'll just keep doing what I'm doing!