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Video Game Programming Jobs

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JobMonkey.com
Volume VIII, Issue #50
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Welcome to the JobMonkey Newsletter! As you know, the JobMonkey is your home for learning about cool, fun and different job opportunities. Hands down, one of the coolest jobs out there is video game programmer. Would you like to turn your gaming hobby into a high-earning profession? Then this newsletter is for you - we tell you everything you need to know about how to become a video game programmer. (Hint: It involves some schooling!) When you are ready to hit the job trail, be sure to check out our Job Boards, for real time leads on video game programming jobs.

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IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1) Career Advisor: Working for a Nonprofit
2) Spotlight: Becoming a Video Game Programmer
3) Around the Monkey: Online Video Games
4) Job Boards: Game Programming Jobs

Find out why you should set up a free job seeker profile on JobMonkey: Learn More.

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CAREER ADVISOR: Nonprofit Jobs
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by Amy Lindgren

You've heard the phrase, "doing well while doing good"? That comes from the nonprofit world, where the idea of succeeding in your career (doing well) has not always been wedded to the mission of helping others (doing good). These days, however, nonprofits work hard to ensure their workers thrive along with the people they're serving. The somewhat higher salaries have made nonprofits more attractive to job seekers, creating a bit of a renaissance in this sector.

If you're considering nonprofit work, you'll want to know a few things before you launch your search.

1. Nonprofit work is as challenging as for-profit work. People often think they can "downsize" their workload by moving to a nonprofit. Those actually working in nonprofits get a kick out of that, especially if they're in a direct service job. The fact is, some nonprofit staff work all day and longer with barely a break for lunch, the same as some for-profit staff do.

2. Hiring standards at nonprofits are as high as at for-profits. Never assume you can saunter into a nonprofit and get snatched up by a grateful hiring manager. Because resources are limited, nonprofits may actually put more time and effort into candidate searches, not less.

3. Nonprofits aren't impressed with for-profit experience. Disappointing, but true. Nonprofit managers are actually wary of corporate runaways who think their experience will be valued simply because it was for a corporation. The truth is, the needs are different in these two types of organizations. Your best strategy is to identify and then communicate the skills and knowledge you possess that will be most useful to fulfilling the mission of the nonprofit.

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SPOTLIGHT: How to Become a Video Game Programmer
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Have you spent hours (week? years?) of your life playing video games? How many times did your mom yell at you to get off the Xbox and start doing your homework? Well, guess what? All that thumb flicking was homework. Sort of. That's because there is a whole field of people dedicated to programming, creating, and of course selling video games. For those of you obsessed with the game screen, this just might be your dream job scenario.

Of course, being the #1 scorer on Ms. PacMan isn't going to land you a job. Companies are looking for young people with solid work experience or an educational background that lends itself to the field. Here's a look at the second way "in" to the video game industry: Education.

>> Earn a B.A. (or higher) in computer science, with an emphasis in video game design, if possible
Hundreds of colleges and universities in North America offer computer science degrees -- from top-ranked engineering schools like MIT and Cal Tech to your local, two-year community schools. Shop around before you choose a campus, as there are institutions that offer concentrations or even majors in video game design. UC-Santa Cruz is one such school. But even without a video game major, you still want a department that offers a diversity of courses in gaming systems, graphics and animation.

>> Consider an online degree in Video Game Design
If you are currently working full-time and are interested in a career change, a great way to advance your goals is with an online degree. There are a growing number of online game design degree programs, which are perfect for those of you looking to switch tracks mid-career while still earning a full-time salary.

>> Move up by earning a graduate degree in Computer Engineering
To make the move into senior level management at your gaming company, you will need a graduate degree. The most common degree for game programmers is an M.S. in Computer Engineering.  The U.S. News and World Report's list of the top ten graduate schools for Computer Engineering is a great place to start researching your options.

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AROUND THE MONKEY: Video Gaming Education
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Intrigued about the possibilities of working as a video game programmer? Be sure to visit the JobMonkey blog to learn more about how to earn a degree in video game programming, so that you can turn your hobby into a high-earning profession.

>> Interview with Video Game Programming Veteran, Bill Roper (Preview: Roper believes a degree is a major plus.)

>> Video Game Programmer Scholarships (Think you can't afford to get your degree? Think again -- here is a scholarship just for you.)

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JOB BOARDS: Game Programming Jobs
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If you have your degree in hand and are ready to hit the job search trail, then make the Video Game Job Board your first stop. You can also visit our free JobMonkey Job Center and search for Video Game Development jobs under the pull-down "Category" menu.

 

 

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