Colleges Offering Video Game Courses

I have to say after teaching for several years at my trade school and working in the industry I have to say there is a big difference between playing video games and making them. When a student comes to my program I tell them, why do you want to be here and don't say because you like to play video games.

Saying I like to play video games is no different then me saying I like to listen and collect music. Just because I might think I know about how the music is made doesn't me that when I pick up an instrument I could play it well. Sure with practice I could get better, but that doesn't mean that I am good enough to be in an orchestra. I think saying if you like playing video games then make a career out if it is the worse sell pitch to give some one.

I've been in animation and my program director was honest with me. He told me that my field was one of the hardest to get in. He was right I had to move several times to maintain employment. I say it's time to be real and tell these kids that this field is the hardest to get in and you must have professional work now when you get out of school. I will have to say this is not the case for all school, the higher percentage of kids that get jobs in the field come from an art back ground.

I think it's time to be real with these kids and let them know that they will have to sacrifice time and sleep in order to even think about being in this field. I'm just glad I got in when I did, these guys have to push out some serious work that looks just as professional as what they see on TV.

Nicholas of CA 6:11PM November 02, 2009