I'm interested in video game development as a career; what's an ideal summer (temp) job to gain experience?

If you want to be a programmer, get a programming job somewhere that uses similar programming languages that game developers use. If you want to be an artist, do graphic design work somewhere. Graphic design that requires interaction would be ideal (web design). A workplace that needs 3D modeling work would preferable. If you want to design games, consider relocating for the summer to a place that has a video game QA (quality assurance) group. I've read over and over that most designers/producers started out in QA. You could also consider spending your summer creating your own game in Flash or something. If it is really good, that will probably be enough experience to get you in the door somewhere. There are books and magazine articles that focus on how to get jobs in the game industry. Look them up on amazon or google. Also, check out gamasutra.com for video game industry news.

If you're aiming to have a career in video game development, make sure you have a backup plan. "I want to make video games" is almost on par with "I want to be a movie star" these days - the field is PACKED with extremely experienced programmers, designers, and artists. Sad to say, fresh fish like you are at a serious disadvantage. But if you insist anyhow, pick an area and really go after it, whether it be art, 3D modeling/graphics, programming, etc. Just make sure you pick up some other skills along the way that you can market yourself with if/when it falls through. Sorry, not an upbeat post at all, but its really the truth.

Get into quality assurance. Play the hell out of alot of games, and keep a log of whats good and whats bad. Sure, fable was crap. But why? Technical skills are ok too, but Q.A. and testing are a huge feild that people will always need filled. Its incredible. AND since they work insane hours and get moderate pay, it would really be like a good summer job experiance, and it would probably pay the same as a temp job. It also helps on where you live too. But as I said, testers are needed, and always will be. If you have done beta testing for games before, it would help get your foot in the door as well. If you've not done any, try some soon before summer!

I've never had problems with jobs and having mods and none of my friends have had issues either and a good amount of them are med students, lawyers, engineers and computer geeks I have two jobs, one being a piercer and obviously no one cares there. But my other job is to be an office assistant for a marketing company and no one there minds that I look a little different. I make a combined $35,000. My man works at a computer programmer making $120,000+ a year and has visible tattoos on his arms and a piercing (a labret) and no one has ever said anything to him. I think there are a handful of people who are just lucky. Many of my friends have very good jobs and all they have to do it keep most mods covered but have equal and fair opportunities. I'm 20, he's 26, both have completed some college (him scheduled to get a few degrees by winter), we live in southeast Michigan

Get into quality assurance. Play the hell out of alot of games, and keep a log of whats good and whats bad. Sure, fable was crap. But why? Technical skills are ok too, but Q.A. and testing are a huge feild that people will always need filled. Its incredible. AND since they work insane hours and get moderate pay, it would really be like a good summer job experiance, and it would probably pay the same as a temp job. It also helps on where you live too. But as I said, testers are needed, and always will be. If you have done beta testing for games before, it would help get your foot in the door as well. If you've not done any, try some soon before summer!

If you're aiming to have a career in video game development, make sure you have a backup plan. "I want to make video games" is almost on par with "I want to be a movie star" these days - the field is PACKED with extremely experienced programmers, designers, and artists. Sad to say, fresh fish like you are at a serious disadvantage. But if you insist anyhow, pick an area and really go after it, whether it be art, 3D modeling/graphics, programming, etc. Just make sure you pick up some other skills along the way that you can market yourself with if/when it falls through. Sorry, not an upbeat post at all, but its really the truth.