Since the dawn of the computer age, if you wanted to get a job programming, the best way has been to get a computer science (CS) degree. Because of this, universities and colleges that offer CS degrees have been the “gatekeepers” to the programming industry. Which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing — CS degrees certainly do teach you a lot about computer science and programming, and even give you some hands-on experience.

But a new option has more recently appeared, and for many people it’s a way to learn programming faster, and usually cheaper: online coding boot camps.

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If you want a career in the video game industry, finding the right educational program can jump-start your career and help you find a better game job, faster.

But unfortunately, college isn’t cheap — many programs can cost a small fortune that could take you years to pay back after graduation.

That’s where scholarships, and other forms of financial aid, can really make a difference. Scholarships can reduce the amount you pay for college, which means you’ll have a lot less to pay back after you graduate. Keep reading to learn where you can find the best video game scholarships, and find out how to make sure your application has the best shot at getting accepted.

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A website for Destinations Career Academy loaded on an Apple laptop
Is an online high school right for you?

If you’re a high school student interested in becoming a game designer, it can be hard to know where to start. Sure, there are lots of options for learning game design if you’re in college… but for high schoolers, there haven’t been many options to “formally” learn game design, until recently.

One of your options for learning game design in high school, is an online program called Destinations Career Academy (DCA). It’s an online high school that’s tuition-free and fully-accredited, available in 19 states (US only). DCA also has some private schooling options, and runs free online game design summer camps.

Today, I spoke with an outreach manager from DCA to learn more about what it is, who it’s for, and what their education programs can do for high schoolers interested in game design. Read more »

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Portrait of Branden Brushett, 3D video game artist
“Do not give up. Working in the game industry is worth the struggle.”

Branden Brushett is a professional 3D artist in the video game industry, with credits on hit games like Minecraft, MetalStorm, and Paradise Bay. But it took more than an art education to break into the game industry. After art school, Branden’s journey had only just begun. Success as a game artist demanded serious effort, countless hours, and literally chasing his dream across the country.

We’re speaking with Branden today to learn why you should (or shouldn’t!) get an art degree, how to choose and apply to art schools, and how you might be able to score a free education and follow a non-standard path into the game industry. Read more »

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Profile photo of John Dennis, video game designer writer
John Dennis wants to know: Could writing for video games be your cup of tea?

What does it take to become a Video Game Writer, and how is writing for games different from linear media like books and film? How can a game writer create a story with endless possibilities, adapting to any choice a player might make — whether expected or unexpected?

Those question (and more) are answered today by John Dennis, who has worked in the game industry over 20 years on diverse titles from the beloved Worms franchise to the mega-hit Call of Duty series. He’s currently a tutor at Arvon academy for their course, Writing for Games: The Art and Business of Creating Interactive Narratives.

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How can a game internship solve the dreaded "chicken and egg" problem for students?

At this very moment, many students are knee-deep in their search for their first job at a video game studio. But if you’re one of those job-seekers, you’ve likely smashed head-first into a very tricky problem: How can you get a job that requires “prior experience,” and how can you get experience if nobody will hire you? That’s where video game internships come to the rescue.

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In this episode of Game Industry Career Guide Podcast, I answer a question from John, his son is wondering if he should drop out of college and learn to make video games on his own?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • How to push your boundaries in ways you never dreamed
  • The best way to convince employers that you know how to “GSD”
  • How to build deep, lasting connections with game industry insiders

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In this episode of Game Industry Career Guide Podcast, I answer a question from Sabrina M., who’s wondering whether she needs a college degree to become a video game tester?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Two easy but powerful techniques for finding out the education requirements for any job
  • How to get hired as a Game Tester even if you don’t meet the official “requirements”
  • The best way to learn game testing and get a job without getting a college degree

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In this episode of Game Industry Career Guide Podcast, I answer a question from Chris B., who’s wondering how a computer science degree would be used in the video game industry?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why a computer science (CS) degree is helpful for a job in game design
  • How a CS degree could help you get one of the highest-paying jobs in the game industry
  • How a CS degree can provide critical job security when times get tough

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Graduation hat in a grassy field
What can college teach you, that you can’t learn on your own?

I recently got this question from Jim, regarding his son’s game development career:

“My son is a freshman at a university with one of the Top 10 video game programming curriculums in the US according to Princeton Review Magazine. He says that he wants to drop out and self-teach himself to be a video game programer. I totally disagree with dropping out of college. What do you think?”

I don’t know Jim and I don’t know his son. But this question resonated with me in a big way. Not only because his son is about to make an important life decision that will tangibly impact his future. But also because I, myself, dropped out of school during my 3rd year of college and have been reflecting on that decision ever since. (That was back in 1995, so I’ve had ample time to think it over.)

So here are my thoughts on whether Jim’s son (or anybody else – maybe even you?) should or should not drop out of college and “go it alone” before starting a career as a professional game developer.Read more »

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