Careers thread

[Alehksunos]

Currently studying "Digital Gaming and Simulation" (read: Game Development). You know it sounds like a cool profession, being in the gaming industry, but after hearing that it is currently the hardest profession to enter, it almost scares me to consider something else. Nonetheless, I've actually dreamed of being a game developer and not often do you hear stories about kids wanting to be in the position they dream of when they grow up, and now here I am, learning how to make games. But while I'm at it, the tradeoff is to never look at video games the same way again, let alone you may not be able to play them as often as you did anymore. So yes, my future profession is to make games while deconstructing others.

Another thing I would like to make note of is that what's going to make this profession even harder to get into is that I don't want to work for big companies that churn out big budget games, rather develop my independent company, and all I know about that is running a business on my own is going to be hell and I'll never foolishly and smugly assume that I really know what it's like when I really don't.

In the end, I even wonder if I've even made a good decision. I've made a few bad moves before, but I would rather not live in regret, even regret a possible missed opportunity.

[nickiknack]

I work as a Customer Service Associate at JCPenneys, and this is step up from where I was a year ago(unemployed), and I have no idea where to go from here. I would like to go back to school, the problem is I don't have an idea what for.

[wrongfrog]

Currently studying "Digital Gaming and Simulation" (read: Game Development). You know it sounds like a cool profession, being in the gaming industry, but after hearing that it is currently the hardest profession to enter, it almost scares me to consider something else. Nonetheless, I've actually dreamed of being a game developer and not often do you hear stories about kids wanting to be in the position they dream of when they grow up, and now here I am, learning how to make games. But while I'm at it, the tradeoff is to never look at video games the same way again, let alone you may not be able to play them as often as you did anymore. So yes, my future profession is to make games while deconstructing others.

Another thing I would like to make note of is that what's going to make this profession even harder to get into is that I don't want to work for big companies that churn out big budget games, rather develop my independent company, and all I know about that is running a business on my own is going to be hell and I'll never foolishly and smugly assume that I really know what it's like when I really don't.

In the end, I even wonder if I've even made a good decision. I've made a few bad moves before, but I would rather not live in regret, even regret a possible missed opportunity.

The gaming industry, from what I've heard, is insanely difficult to get into, so I feel like a ton of networking would help you land a position somewhere. Maybe someone else knows more about the industry than I do, though.

[Mechtaur]

Right now I'm technically still in Psychology as a major, but I'm leaning more into trying for Linguistics if I can be arsed to.

I will forever have a Philosophy minor though.

[rookie]

Retail management. It's practical, mobile, and I'm pretty damned good at it. Not quite my first love (logistics), but it'll do.

[Distind]

IT, Application development, DSJB, Possibly lead developer... we're not real clear on that last bit. Probably because acknowledging it would involve a raise.

Figuring out what someone wants is typically harder than getting it to them, though from time to time people ask for the moon and wonder why you don't get them there on a shoe string. And should you manage to get them there anyway, don't expect thanks.

That said, Kihdo, if you want to break into indie gaming, start now while you're still in school. Unless you're completely unemployed you won't have that kind of time again once you get a job. Hell, if you have any interesting ideas I might kick in some help. But as a failsafe I'd recommend paying attention in those core programming courses, or taking some elective ones focused on testing and system design. A competent programmer can find work, you just have to be able to prove you're competent.

[wrongfrog]

Oh cool, I have a question.

so I mentioned that I wanted to be an activist as a side thing to my teaching career, yadda yadda. and I mentioned my fear of insufficient job security. But after more thinking, I'm a bit more worried. I want to maybe start a Youtube channel in the future, because I'm a fairly good orator, especially in a controlled setting such as video-making, and it would be something I enjoy. My only issue is that I would probably do it while in college, and I'm afraid that would hurt my chances of being hired as a teacher, plus I don't know if it would diminish my reputation if I got hired. Should this be something I should just do when I feel like it, and see where it takes me? Or should I take the safe route and just not do it and stick to my original plan of writing and blogging? Keep in mind that I don't see any of this happening for another year and a half, so things could change, but it's worth discussing.

[Her3tiK]

It's probably obvious by now, but my career plan is to be a touring musician. I've played guitar for about 9yrs, bass for a little over 2 in any serious capacity, and am now a bass player in a death metal band in Los Angeles. It's far from paying the bills right now, but we've gotten a lot of attention since we started gigging in February, including possible record deals and international tours within the next year. Long term, I obviously want to be able to tour the world a few times, maybe even put death metal on primetime radio (I can dream >.>), and spend my spare time working on a prog rock solo project that I release for free. Free music (legit free, not torrents) is what's kept me sane throughout this whole ordeal, and I want to be able to give back in the same way. Once I've had my fun, I'd like to start an all-ages venue, probably in Hollywood if I don't take over a San Diego spot, and help grow the music scene at its roots.

In the short term, I'm taking up odd jobs, especially if they involve general handyman (plumbing, electrical, appliance repair, etc.) skills that I can pick up as I go. I don't know too many in my generation who can fix the computer they use every day, never mind install a toilet or replace a light switch, and I want to know how to take care of the everyday things I use and take for granted.

[Zygarde]

I'm hoping to be a biology professor on the college level its so far coming along rather well despite the many personal issues I have that make this goal rather hard to achieve. I'm still trying to find a good university that can help with this so far I've narrowed it down to University of Toronto, University of New York, Oxford University (pipe dream at best) and a few other university's  i don't care to name at the moment.

[Morgenleoht]

I'm hoping to get into Multimedia and do graphic design, web design and enough I.T./coding to be able to freelance a bit. My main problem is trying to find a way to make something resembling a living wage on 20 hours or less a week... I also hope to be able to make a little extra money with my beading.

[largeham]

I'm studying law and I'll probably go on to practise, mostly because I don't know what else to do. Though teaching history at a tertiary level would be nice.

[Sleepy]

Oh cool, I have a question.

so I mentioned that I wanted to be an activist as a side thing to my teaching career, yadda yadda. and I mentioned my fear of insufficient job security. But after more thinking, I'm a bit more worried. I want to maybe start a Youtube channel in the future, because I'm a fairly good orator, especially in a controlled setting such as video-making, and it would be something I enjoy. My only issue is that I would probably do it while in college, and I'm afraid that would hurt my chances of being hired as a teacher, plus I don't know if it would diminish my reputation if I got hired. Should this be something I should just do when I feel like it, and see where it takes me? Or should I take the safe route and just not do it and stick to my original plan of writing and blogging? Keep in mind that I don't see any of this happening for another year and a half, so things could change, but it's worth discussing.

Whatever route you choose, you can do it anonymously. Blogs are still safer in that regard because you can just use a pseudonym that won't be traced back to you. You don't have to show your face in YouTube videos, and though voice makes it slightly easier to recognize someone, I think the chances of an employer firing you based on a video that could or could not be you are pretty slim.

[wrongfrog]

Oh cool, I have a question.

so I mentioned that I wanted to be an activist as a side thing to my teaching career, yadda yadda. and I mentioned my fear of insufficient job security. But after more thinking, I'm a bit more worried. I want to maybe start a Youtube channel in the future, because I'm a fairly good orator, especially in a controlled setting such as video-making, and it would be something I enjoy. My only issue is that I would probably do it while in college, and I'm afraid that would hurt my chances of being hired as a teacher, plus I don't know if it would diminish my reputation if I got hired. Should this be something I should just do when I feel like it, and see where it takes me? Or should I take the safe route and just not do it and stick to my original plan of writing and blogging? Keep in mind that I don't see any of this happening for another year and a half, so things could change, but it's worth discussing.

Whatever route you choose, you can do it anonymously. Blogs are still safer in that regard because you can just use a pseudonym that won't be traced back to you. You don't have to show your face in YouTube videos, and though voice makes it slightly easier to recognize someone, I think the chances of an employer firing you based on a video that could or could not be you are pretty slim.

That's the issue; I would probably show my face. As in like, vlogs and such. I communicate a lot with my body when I speak, especially when I'm giving speeches, so only using my voice in a video would be pointless, really. I could try using a pseudonym as a Youtuber, seeing as I don't really expect or even want to reach Tyler Oakley levels of popularity. I mean, if Zinnia Jones was able to go this far without anyone posting her legal name and information, I think I can, too.

[rookie]

Oh cool, I have a question.

so I mentioned that I wanted to be an activist as a side thing to my teaching career, yadda yadda. and I mentioned my fear of insufficient job security. But after more thinking, I'm a bit more worried. I want to maybe start a Youtube channel in the future, because I'm a fairly good orator, especially in a controlled setting such as video-making, and it would be something I enjoy. My only issue is that I would probably do it while in college, and I'm afraid that would hurt my chances of being hired as a teacher, plus I don't know if it would diminish my reputation if I got hired. Should this be something I should just do when I feel like it, and see where it takes me? Or should I take the safe route and just not do it and stick to my original plan of writing and blogging? Keep in mind that I don't see any of this happening for another year and a half, so things could change, but it's worth discussing.

Depends on the subjects of your vlogs, doesn't it? As long as you stay away from most of the hot button issues, you should be fine. But there's nothing wrong with vlogs like "this is how you bake a cake" or whatever. There's plenty you can do while still safeguarding your future.

[wrongfrog]

Depends on the subjects of your vlogs, doesn't it? As long as you stay away from most of the hot button issues, you should be fine. But there's nothing wrong with vlogs like "this is how you bake a cake" or whatever. There's plenty you can do while still safeguarding your future.

Sucks, because I literally planned on only vlogging about LGBT rights (with a heavy focus on Trans* issues), feminism, and various other topics.