Employment Opportunities

[Diamond]

In Australia, even a Trainee Programmer position will attract 100+ applicants.

How are the things with employment in US or Canada (gaming industry, IT, etc.)?

Competition, expertise/experience/knowledge required, etc.

[FrankK]

In Australia, even a Trainee Programmer position will attract 100+ applicants.

How are the things with employment in US or Canada (gaming industry, IT, etc.)?

Competition, expertise/experience/knowledge required, etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

It has been my experience that the US has had a shortage of experienced software developers for quite some time. We receive about 10x as many applicants for entry-level positions as we do for experienced developer positions and many of those applying for experienced developers are marginally experienced.

[Diamond]

Thanks for the hint.

Things are not so bad, as I thought :D

[Judge Hades]

Well, you have to start somewhere and it is hard to become experienced if you never have the opportunity to get in an entry level position.

[Diamond]

Yes, indeed.

But I never said "Gosh! I don't have a chance!" :D

[Diamond]

...But this "Crunchmode" or "Death March" thing in the game industry kinda bothers me

Especially EA's.

[t3h-v]

EA, as ea_spouse described it is pretty extreme, but thats pretty much an accurate description of what you will have to deal with if you go to work on games, it might not be as bad, maybe you'll have to do less extra hours, or for shorter period of time, depends on the company, but you will have to do it, and if won't be pretty.

[Diamond]

Probably, I will just backup myself with a major in Information Systems :D

[EnderAndrew]

In most places I've worked, MIS/IT jobs are butt-easy, and a joke.

 

I doubt I'll ever be rich unless I get a nice corporate level design job, and they make it next to impossible to get hired into such a position.

[nik_bg]

EnderWiggin,

 

start your own business (w00t) (w00t) (w00t)

[Hunter]

Well, you have to start somewhere and it is hard to become experienced if you never have the opportunity to get in an entry level position.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Best thing is to get a QA or CS position in a gaming company and work on your portfolio. Entry level positions often are filled from inside a company. It really helps to have some example of the work you want to do. If you want to be a designer, do some level designs on paper or make some maps for your favorite game. If you want to be an artist or animator, put together some sample work. If you want to be a programmer, write a small game. Have something you can give a potential employer to show you can do the work.

 

EnderWiggin, I wouldn't worry too much about being rich. More money just means more work to make sure you don't lose the money. Just try to find a good balance