Some possible jobs within this career area are:
Information technology careers can require a variety of certifications. You might choose a technical college, or opt for a four-year degree. Your career choice can dictate the certification you need, so be sure to consult your school to learn more.
Common degree programs offered in information technology include:
- Certificates
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master’s Degree
- PhD
The explosion of the Internet in today’s workplace makes information technology specialists in high demand. From working as a customer support specialist on the phone to setting up workstations for an entire company, information technology professionals bridge the gap from engineering to operations – and sometimes work in those fields, too.
Depending on the career you want, your information technology career could be a year or two away. Most professional certificate programs can take at least a year (sometimes two). Whether or not you decide to go to college, you should inquire about internship programs that can help to jump-start your career.
How to Become a Video Game Developer
Video game developers don’t make an entire game by themselves. According to the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), if you want to become a video game developer you should concentrate on working in one of the six career sectors of the field:
- Audio: work on the design, composition, or programming of the sound in a game
- Design: develop the overall scheme and script of the game
- Programming: junior, senior, engine, tools, graphics, special effects, audio, multiplayer networking, or artificial intelligence programmer
- Producer: project managers, associate producers, lead testers, and game testers
- Visual Arts: Intern, 2D conceptual or texture artist, 3D model builder, cutscene artist, character builder or animator, art technician, art director, and level builder
- Business: administrators, accountants, marketer, public relations agent, managers, sales representatives, and website managers
While it is not unheard of to break in to the video game developer industry without a college degree the majority of employers tend to prefer hiring those that hold at least a bachelor’s degree, or four year degree, in their career sector.
College majors to consider if you want to become a video game developer include software engineering, graphic arts, media design, computer information systems, and computer science. If you’re planning on a video game development career, expect to take classes in math, operating systems, graphics, and programming languages such as C++.
Video Game Developer Salaries
Video game developer salaries can vary drastically, depending on the size and success of the company you work for. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in the computer software field will grow by 32 percent in the next decade, so job prospects are excellent for those with talent in the game industry.
Game Developer Magazine reports that the median salary for those in the video game development career field is $73,000. Entry level positions pay an average of $45,000, and the highest reported salary was a programmer’s $300,000 in one year. Here are different video game developer salaries; averaged by field:
- Audio Sub-Types $57,500
- Design $57,500
- Programmer $62,500
- Production $66,000
- Visual Arts $58,500
(Salary data retrieved 5/13/11)
To get the education you need to become a video game developer, find a degree program now!