Playing video games might be one way you fill your spare time, but it’s not necessarily a waste of time. Doing so might help you become smarter, and if you want to work in the field, you’ll need intelligence and curiosity. Several degree options will help you live your dream, whether that’s working with video games or just putting your tech skills to work.
Preparing for School
If you are still in high school, now is the time to start preparing for college. Look for relevant classes and consider taking a couple while still in high school. That way, you can get a better idea of whether this is something you want to do for the rest of your life.
You’ll also want to think about how you’ll pay for your degree. Many students find that taking out a student loan from a private lender is the best way to pay for school. You can fill out a quick online application to learn about your options. That way, you can prioritize your education and get a great start on your career.
Tech-Focused Degrees
If you are already good at video games, you likely have an aptitude for technology, so that you could look into programming and computer-focused degrees. A bachelor’s in computer science is a great starting place. Many schools offer training on coding, and they’ll likely offer courses on science and math as well. Computer science is relatively broad, so you will learn things to apply in a range of careers.
Another potential field is software engineering, allowing you to make powerful software. Classes might include databases, programming, and networking, among other fundamentals. And you can expect to learn about usability and artificial intelligence during your time at college. One of these programs could help you get into a STEM career, and these often have promising job outlooks.
Working with Video Games
You could get an associate’s degree in developing video games. Expect to learn about multimedia design and software engineering, as well as modeling and animation. Plus, you’ll learn how to work with digital graphics and do programming. You can also learn how to do video game development. Many technical and community colleges offer degrees in the field, allowing you to enter the technological world. That might be in the form of computer applications engineering, designing, or video game programming.
Animation and Design
If you want to work on the artistic side of things, you might go into media design or art. Expect to take classes on lighting, shading, and other elements that can help the game come alive. You’ll only need a bachelor’s degree for this career path, although gaining some relevant experience is often helpful to land your dream job. Computer animation is another promising degree path. If you want to further your education, you can get a master’s in computer animation. You might learn about 3D and 2D aspects. After graduation, you could get a job working with game art and make sure that everything is ready for end users.