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Geek Culture / Game Internships?

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Amyrildora
16
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Joined: 7th May 2009
Location: In your mind
Posted: 9th Dec 2009 05:25
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Hey all Idk if Im in the right section to post this but it looked the most right, anyways I was wondering if you guys knew any game companies who hired Interns who were 16 years or older. I see alot who will hire 18 years+ but not any who will hire as low as 16. So I was wondering if you guys could help me on my quest to find an internship, Because I really dont wanna wait 4 more years D: Anyways thanks to all who help!!

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Gil Galvanti
20
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Joined: 22nd Dec 2004
Location: Texas, United States
Posted: 9th Dec 2009 05:34 Edited at: 9th Dec 2009 05:35
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I'm pretty sure most every internship in the game industry requires previous game development experience or concurrent enrollment in college courses for game development or something related to it (computer science, art, etc.). If you were in charge of hiring interns, would you rather hire a 16 year old who likely has little game development experience and is just excited about the prospect of making video games, or someone who is 20, has some experience, and is actively pursuing a career in game development through university programs, where you could take them on full time within 2-3 years?


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Sid Sinister
19
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Joined: 10th Jul 2005
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Posted: 9th Dec 2009 08:05
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Yeah, you really have no chance. As Gil said, you need to graduated from high school, be studying for the career and be hot you know what before you get your foot in the door somewhere. It's a very competitive field, and unfortunately, they don't have time or money to waste on interns who are just there to blow fluff.

I recommend working on a game or portfolio and really showing that understand the core of game design and that, even as a young person, understand what the industry is looking for and where it is headed.

As for your schooling, like I said, the industry is very competitive. Make sure you get a degree that gives you some flexibility if you can't break in for several years. My game software dev degree is also a bachelors of computer science, and I have an animation degree to fall back on as well.

All in all, live the dream, but live it smart. Probably more info than you were asking for, but there you have

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
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Quik
16
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Joined: 3rd Jul 2008
Location: Equestria!
Posted: 9th Dec 2009 16:25
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i would recommend u freelance for a while, as long as u dont forget about your studies it should be fine. and in due time someone will want you

also, i have to agree with both sid and gil =P graduate from high school before searching for a real job.


[Q]uik, Quiker than most
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jasonhtml
21
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Joined: 20th Mar 2004
Location: OC, California, USA
Posted: 9th Dec 2009 19:56
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I got a job doing markerless motion capture when I was 16, which isn't games, but as close as you're gonna get unless you're really lucky. Quite frankly, you'll be lucky to get ANY job programming in this economy. The only way I was able to get that job was because it was a startup looking for an intern, and I fit the bill. I suggest you look around your area for startups that are looking to hire people, show them your resume, and hope you get an interview.

But, if you don't like that, then I would have to agree with everyone else: getting into the game industry before college is nearly impossible unless you have some AMAZING record to show.

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David R
21
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Joined: 9th Sep 2003
Location: 3.14
Posted: 9th Dec 2009 21:43
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Quote: "you'll be lucky to get ANY job programming in this economy"




I've found literally no shortage of programming job listings + internship offers. Annoyingly some of the latter are no where near where I live (Lionhead's pre-grad internships, for example) - but still, I think out of all sectors, programming and computing are doing pretty well even post 'recession'

09-f9-11-02-9d-74-e3-5b-d8-41-56-c5-63-56-88-c0
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Jeku
Moderator
21
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Joined: 4th Jul 2003
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Posted: 9th Dec 2009 23:17
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Hmm, not in my city. The game development jobs at the big companies here (EA, Radical, Ubisoft) have all but dried up in the recent times. EA just laid off a buttload of employees (15%) and they have a strict "no-hire" policy at the moment.


Senior Web Developer - Nokia
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Quik
16
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Joined: 3rd Jul 2008
Location: Equestria!
Posted: 11th Dec 2009 22:12
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bah, i dont like EA anyways XD


[Q]uik, Quiker than most
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Sid Sinister
19
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Joined: 10th Jul 2005
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Posted: 12th Dec 2009 04:01
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Jeku, I read that EA Sports is doing well despite the rest of the company's dark times. Didn't you come from EA Sports? I thought you worked on a Hockey game. I may be mistaken though. At any rate, I guess that 15% took a chunk out of everything, even EA's saving grace - EA Sports.

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
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Jeku
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21
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Joined: 4th Jul 2003
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Posted: 12th Dec 2009 08:05 Edited at: 12th Dec 2009 08:05
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Yah I worked at EA Canada which is the head development of EA Sports, and 3 of the titles I worked on were NHL Hockey games. I haven't followed developments at EA since my layoff in January, aside from the fact that a big chunk of my former friends and coworkers are now getting laid off because of this 15%.

EA is like the McDonald's of the game industry. While it's a great place to get experience and looks good on the resume, the conditions are harsh and I wouldn't recommend anyone making it their lifelong career. I'm fairly sure they wouldn't allow you to work there for long as it is


Senior Web Developer - Nokia
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