Here is a helpful contribution from one of the website’s fans. Micah Norris, from Ohio in the USA, has some great advice to turn your passion for gaming into a rewarding career. Thank you Micah for these resourceful career planning tips! Play the game of life right and you’ll score big. — Brett

If you’re a high school senior passionate about gaming, there are a host of career opportunities you can pursue beyond streaming or trying to go pro. For instance, you can choose to become a game developer and create video games or work as a tester i.e. a person whose job is to test video games and provide feedback for improvement. Additionally, the gaming industry in North America is currently booming, and in this article by How To Be a Rocket Scientist, we’ll explore some useful tips on how you can turn your passion for gaming into a career.

Develop Relevant Skills

While a high school diploma will most likely be one of the basic requirements, here are a host of our skills and education avenues one can consider to make a career in the field of gaming:

• Graphic Design: Graphic designers play a key role in the design process for any video game. In addition to 2D assets, one can also opt to expand this knowledge into 3D modeling and map design. Pursuing a graphic design certificate to learn the basics will provide a strong foundation.

• Programming: Gaming studios have teams of programmers who are responsible for bringing the game to life, as reported by CG Spectrum. They work closely with game designers to convert their creative ideas into playable, enjoyable video games. For starters, learning languages such as C, Java, and Python is the way to go.

• Creative Writing: Those who have a way with words can channel their creativity into creating the game’s plotlines, character arcs, and overall storyline(s). You can develop storytelling skills by reading books, playing renowned video games known for their plot, and consuming other forms of creative media such as movies. Additionally, you can start with writing for different niches to develop the skill of writing with emotion and emphasis.

Learn How to Network

When it comes to finding a job, there is no better avenue than networking. This is represented in research conducted by Zippia, which states that referral applicants are 4 times more likely to be hired compared to website applicants. Hence, the earlier you start networking, the more connections you’ll be able to make and increase your chances of getting hired. Additionally, here are a few helpful tips on how to network:

• Attend Networking Events: There’s bound to be a host of in-person and online networking events where you live. While speaking with strangers can be daunting at first, over time, you’ll develop strong interpersonal skills.

• Design a Business Card: Sharing a business card with individuals you interact with will help you stand out from the rest. If you’re looking to find design business cards, there are a ton of great online tools to help you create a great, personalized card.

Focus on Gaining Experience

As a young professional, getting experience under your belt will be key for understanding your interests and developing expertise. Pursuing an internship will allow you to be in a real-world setting and learn the ins and outs of game design/testing/storytelling, which you can then leverage to become a better professional yourself.

In addition to internships, one can also explore personal projects like writing a new video game script every month or becoming a part of game development communities, where like-minded individuals collaborate on creative projects. From designing video games to being a creative writer, there are a host of professional opportunities which high school seniors can aspire to pursue as a career. In addition to formal education, developing relevant skills and networking will be important to get your foot in the door and land a great job. Moreover, there’s no better way for creating a strong impression than sharing business cards with individuals you meet during events and other professional events.

by Micah Norris of king-rom.com