Hi everyone,
I would like to get a game programming job. I have been programming since I can remember and can work in most programming languages, but I don't have a collage degree. I do have some published (non game) work though.
I was wondering if I showed off my programming skills with a small game, maybe programmed in two or more languages might help land a job?
To sum it up. I would like your opinions on the best way to get a job.
Thank you for your time.
Help getting a game progamming job
Quote:Original post by code_eater
Hi everyone,
I would like to get a game programming job. I have been programming since I can remember and can work in most programming languages, but I don't have a collage degree. I do have some published (non game) work though.
I was wondering if I showed off my programming skills with a small game, maybe programmed in two or more languages might help land a job?
To sum it up. I would like your opinions on the best way to get a job.
Thank you for your time.
You have to have a degree to even qualify for most jobs. If you are really determined to get a job without a degree then you should actually make some games but they will have to be super impressive...
Would a degree in computer science (i.e. programming) help at all? I'm starting one in February in Java. I'm also learning C++ in my own time too.
It's not a practical strategy to get a job these days without a degree. One in a million can do it, but you probably have similar odds trying to win the lottery. Just get a degree.
Quote:Original post by Palidine
It's not a practical strategy to get a job these days without a degree. One in a million can do it, but you probably have similar odds trying to win the lottery. Just get a degree.
That's overstating things a bit, even if the advice is solid.
For the OP:
Example code to show always helps (unless it's terrible of course). One thing to remember though is that a college degree is needed most often by HR, who don't have a good way to judge technical candidates. Getting a referral by someone already at the company is still the most effective way of getting a job, and certainly to get by HR and the most likely hangup about the lack of degree.
Quote:Original post by Palidine
It's not a practical strategy to get a job these days without a degree. One in a million can do it, but you probably have similar odds trying to win the lottery. Just get a degree.
I have TWO degrees, both in Physics so I am already adept at Mathematics. And I have several years experience in C, C++, Win32, COM and DirectX9, with a solid grip on C# which I am now currently learning.
And yet I am struggling to get a foothold into this industry.
I'm resorting to Web development now as a means of creating my own website to show off my skills.
A degree may help but it seems having commercial experience will always win outright in spite of that catch 22 situation of gaining such experience in the first place.
I was toying with the idea of doing a computer science degree, but that seems like overkill considering that I already have two highly technical degrees which both involved a certain amount of computer literacy anyway. I.e. I had to learn C on both courses.
And, combined with the fact that I have already spent years teaching myself to a pretty advanced level in coding, having a 3rd degree in computer science seems pointless.
So, building a website seems my only course of action, although I am thinking about doing some of those Microsoft certified examinations.
I have the skills... My problem right now is proving that to an overly cautious audience. So to be perfectly honest, simply having a degree just doesn't cut it these days, especially at a time when lots of people seem to be getting them.
Quote:Original post by CodeStormQuote:Original post by Palidine
It's not a practical strategy to get a job these days without a degree. One in a million can do it, but you probably have similar odds trying to win the lottery. Just get a degree.
I have TWO degrees, both in Physics so I am already adept at Mathematics. And I have several years experience in C, C++, Win32, COM and DirectX9, with a solid grip on C# which I am now currently learning.
And yet I am struggling to get a foothold into this industry.
I'm resorting to Web development now as a means of creating my own website to show off my skills.
A degree may help but it seems having commercial experience will always win outright in spite of that catch 22 situation of gaining such experience in the first place.
I was toying with the idea of doing a computer science degree, but that seems like overkill considering that I already have two highly technical degrees which both involved a certain amount of computer literacy anyway. I.e. I had to learn C on both courses.
And, combined with the fact that I have already spent years teaching myself to a pretty advanced level in coding, having a 3rd degree in computer science seems pointless.
So, building a website seems my only course of action, although I am thinking about doing some of those Microsoft certified examinations.
I have the skills... My problem right now is proving that to an overly cautious audience. So to be perfectly honest, simply having a degree just doesn't cut it these days, especially at a time when lots of people seem to be getting them.
Degree in the field, obviously. Nursery degree won't help you get a job as rocket engineer.
I'm an engineer and I can program pretty cool stuff too, but I don't think I'd ever get a job as a programmer. Entry level: who in the right mind employ me, when I will leave them for a better job as an engineer?
Higher-level: who in the right...
Mmmm... I assumed Physics would be a relevant degree in the software industry dude.
Most Physics courses includes coding by default. Then of course, there is the small matter of Physics being used in games quite a lot.
So again, a degree doesn't necessarily cut it.
I don't think people are making the claim that ANY degree will do. Some degrees or more relevant than others. But nonetheless, a degree doesn’t necessarily guarantee you the job that you want.
Most Physics courses includes coding by default. Then of course, there is the small matter of Physics being used in games quite a lot.
So again, a degree doesn't necessarily cut it.
I don't think people are making the claim that ANY degree will do. Some degrees or more relevant than others. But nonetheless, a degree doesn’t necessarily guarantee you the job that you want.
Quote:Original post by CodeStorm
Mmmm... I assumed Physics would be a relevant degree in the software industry dude.
Most Physics courses includes coding by default. Then of course, there is the small matter of Physics being used in games quite a lot.
So again, a degree doesn't necessarily cut it.
I don't think people are making the claim that ANY degree will do. Some degrees or more relevant than others. But nonetheless, a degree doesn’t necessarily guarantee you the job that you want.
Maybe it "doesn't guarantee" but it's unavoidable.
Engineering courses had coding too. But that's not enough for a coder job. Sorry.
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