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Although I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. So ... everyone help me as well.
Which uni you headed to?
My honest advice... you won't like it... do a Computer Science degree instead!
The games industry in the UK is going downhill at the moment, and so trying to get a job, especially without any industry experiance, is a complete NIGHTMARE. I know VERY few people from my Uni who got games industry jobs after the degree.
The ones that did, and this is what you MUST do, are the lucky ones who managed to get placement jobs in some company for their 3rd year.
Saying all that though. I have an interview at Free Radical next week! Hope all goes well!!!
The reason I mentioned just doing a Computer Science degree, and kinda wish I'd just done it, is because your job options are sooooo much greater. You finish a games degree, and when you can't get a games related job you sit and think... well now what can I do. And your a bit stuck. But doing a Computer Science degree, and if you dabble in games in your spare time, would probably stand you in much better stead for getting some sort of job at least once you graduate.
:)
I almost switched to a games degree ain the first year. But asked a few informed people, and they really had no preference to whether you had a games or more general CompSci degree. And of course there's a lot more choice in careers once you graduate.
Having said that, I did apply to a bevy of games-related jobs for my placement next year, and I've got one interview with Sony in March. Figured I may as well try it out.
Sounds really good - what kind of job is / was it for?
Most of the computing-related courses I've looked at are all basically the same in the 1st year, to get everyone's computing skills up to a good level, so they can work in a lot of different areas if needed.
I'll be going for a placement 3rd year for sure - it's an excellent idea if you ask me, either giving you a guaranteed job there when you finish, or a great deal of industry experience which will help you no end getting a job elsewhere.
I'll only have a Computing AS level by then, but it'll still put me a few months ahead. Which is always nice.
Also, that small gap while you're ahead is nothing; pretty soon the work will pile in, even at first year. Not sure about the Games course though, but programming is pretty much like that. Trick is not to lounge about with the same knowledge set; i.e. make new tech demos whenever you can, in whatever area you choose, or small completed games. They make a huge difference when applying.