Work Experience in Gaming

[Anonymous]

My name is Ben Hogan, I am sixteen and going into my fourth year of school. After having a lengthy discussion with my parents about just how important this year is in terms of trying new things and finding out what you may be interested in doing post secondary school it became clear that I had to pursue looking into work within the games industry.

Just to get some perspective, I have a had a broad variety of interests and hobbies but within the last two years gaming and everything associated with it wheter that be development, journalism, history, E-sports e.t.c is something I have become truly passionate about (it’s at a point where when I set aside time to game it is spent reading forums and articles leaving almost no time to actually play the game).

I am asking for peoples advice here as I am unsure if there are any businesses associated with gaming in county Dublin or within a close proximity that offer work experience ( I mean beyond a retailer) in whatever form that may be.

Side Note: Any suggestions to do with courses, workshops, options e.t.c. I could look into related to gaming that would be suitable for someone my age would be very much welcome as well. I was recommended to look at QA testing for indie developers and seeing if I would be allowed to sit in on a few college classes and then ask the students questions afterwards.

Thank you very much for all your help, anything and everything is appreciated.

Ben

[Aphra K]

Hi Ben,

Welcome to the boards. I am not sure where you are located but there are a number of things you might watch out for in Dublin.

DIT host an annual game design event for secondary school students. They are usually in the Autumn and for many years have involved Ernest Adams. See http://www.dit.ie/news/archive2011/likecomputergamesgamedesignworkshop/ for info on last year’s event.

If however you think your interests might lie more in programming then you might take a look at the coder dojo clubs. http://coderdojo.com/

You might also want to get your secondary school involved in some of the competitions at the annual games fleadh in Thurles. see http://www.gamesfleadh.ie/

There are a number of companies now in Dublin as well as games magazines so take a look at our company list for ideas. It is easier for a small company to take someone on for work experience when you know your particular interests and have some skills to offer.

Also in the Autumn the Science Gallery is going to have an exhibition and events all around games and play – so that might be a good thing to look out for

Aphra

[Anonymous]

Thanks aphra for that really helpful post.

Everything you listed certainly has certainly peaked my interest but I have a few questions now that hopefully someone may be able to answer.

1. Would a coderdojo be a suitable to go for someone who has next to no knowledge on coding or should I try finding out the basics of coding on my own first or through another means.

2.I took a glance at the companies page and it is certainly giving me hope to see quite a few companies within Dublin. I am guessing my next step on the work experience front should be to send out a few e-mails to some of these companies enquiring about the availability of work experience.

You mentioned companies would be more interested if I had skills to offer but sadly this is the year I hope to learn some valuable skills through courses and the work experience itself so I have little to show at the moment, just an eagerness to learn.

Again if anyone has any more help it is still very much welcome.

Ben

[Anonymous]

Thanks aphra for that really helpful post.
1. Would a coderdojo be a suitable to go for someone who has next to no knowledge on coding or should I try finding out the basics of coding on my own first or through another means.
[/quote:2f9880c061]

This would be an extremely good idea, coderdojo is well worth going to to learn programming as they get professionals and academics to volunteer time as tutors. I spoke recently with some of the coderdojo organisers and volunteers in Galway and was really impressed with what they were teaching and their plans for the future.

[Aphra K]

I think people go into coder dojo with all different levels of skills and they tailor the sessions to the participants..

also you might do a bit of research into the different types of jobs – programming v art/design before you start to contact companies. It would be good to see where your interests lie

look at the job descriptions on http://www.creativeskillset.org/games/careers/article_2768_1.asp

Aphra

[Anonymous]

Hi my name is Aaron and I’m in the same position as Ben. I’m sixteen and going into fourth year. I really don’t know what I want to do as a career but this definitely interests me, the problem is I have basically no skills or experience in this area. Is there any point in applying for work experience here or do I need to have alot more knowledge in the area ? I’m from Dublin btw

[Aphra K]

hi Ben and Aaron,

well it would help the company to know if you were more interested in design or in programming…or perhaps you are more interested in marketing or the business side.

also if you had done any projects online – websites, programming competitions, design projects, coder dojo, use of photoshop or similar programmes, participation in lan competitions etc. – it would be good to make the companies aware of these.

There are not that many companies and they all get lots of requests for work experience and most can only take on one or two students – you need to make yourselves stand out somehow.

Aphra.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the quick response aphra

Would somewhere like PopCap games be a good place to go ? It’s not just work experience, I want to learn how to do new things.

I presume the best way to contact them would be by email but should I include things like sporting achievements considering I don’t have much experience with making games or is that a bit off the point.

[Author]

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