How XR and Software Development Can Lead to a Career in Video Games
Published on: December 21, 2023
It's a common origin story: a youthful passion for video games leads to an interest in computers, which in turn leads to a career working with technology. Some are even able to parlay their interest in games and gaming into careers in the video game industry.
A love of gaming is partially what led Ashlie Page, outreach specialist with the College of Technology and Innovation, to her current position. Though she initially studied and trained to be a dental hygienist, she eventually began to want a career change, and her longtime interest in video games led to her studying applied science and cybersecurity.
In her current role, Page meets with prospective students from across the country, and finds that many share a similar interest in games and technology that powers them. Her expertise in both technology and education helps to guide those students to studies that allow them to put that passion for games to good use.
Preparing for a Game Development Career with XR and Software Development
Though Husson doesn't specifically have a video game program, Page guides interested students to the areas of study that can facilitate a career in video games: XR and software development.
"Our XR and software development programs position students for a wide variety of careers upon graduation. That means that they can go out and take that XR degree or that software development degree and apply it to a field that interests them. Some students might find themselves going into health care IT or something like software development,” Page explains. “But there's also a lane there for students to be able to maybe pursue a career in the game development field, because a lot of the skills in the XR and software development programs intersect well, with game development. All of it is rooted in computer science principles, and a lot of the technology and skills within those fields overlap well."
For example, Page says, “Students in our XR programs work with immersive technology like virtual reality and augmented reality as well as game engines like Unity and Unreal. On the flip side of that game developers often leverage extended reality technologies like VR and AR to create immersive gaming environments.”
XR students also learn about user interface or user experience design, which is a shared component between the game design and XR spaces, as well as graphic design and 3d modeling. Students in the XR program take graphic and visual design courses and 2d and 3d modeling which translates well to the game artist space, particularly when thinking about texture creation, character and environment modeling, and even visual effects.
Discovering Career Flexibility With XR and Software Development Degrees
Of course, another benefit of the XR and software development programs over a more narrowly focused game development program is the options they offer once a student begins their career.
“One thing that I talk to all of my students about is the flexibility of these degrees and how, once you've got the degree, you're out in the working environment, and there's really no reason to be bored. You can take these degrees and run with them and find something that interests you and is a secure and lucrative career." Page says.
Students in these programs also develop important problem-solving and collaborative teamwork skills, through extensive practicums, real-world project work and internships, which are a boon in any industry, including game development.
Building Your Tech Resume
The practical experience gained from these programs is also of great value, Page finds. More importantly, working in and studying tech has changed how Page shares her skills and markets herself to future employers.
"One thing that I talk to students about goes back to resume-building experiences and what can you put on your resume,” she says. “When I was making that transition from healthcare into tech, I had started my schooling and had learned a lot online through courses on Udemy, and YouTube. And one very important lesson I learned when I started job hunting was that not all experience is paid experience.”
In other words, the skills and projects you work on in school and on your own can and should be shared.
“That experience you have in your home lab environment, working on virtual machines, setting up virtual networks, whatever it is you're doing, that is valuable experience. Once I started framing that experience—even though it wasn’t part of a job—in a different lens, it really paid off.”
She also recommends marketing the soft skills, like organization and communication that you’ll develop in the course of your study.
“If you can talk to people—if you're a people person—market that!” she says. “Make that your superpower and make sure that those talents are represented on your resume. Don't be afraid to market those soft skills just as much as you would market your technical skills."
Prepare for a Career in Game Design with a Technology Degree from Husson
Between building your technical knowledge, allowing you to get hands-on with technology, and helping to develop vital people skills, Husson has everything you need to build a versatile and dynamic career in video games. With the technical and collaborative skillsets you'll develop in the XR and software development programs, you'll be equipped with the tools you need to succeed in this vibrant field.
"What's great about the tech space is that once you have a degree and some experience, you're easier to train than somebody without that experience or without the ability to kind of speak that lingo,” says Page. “I think that opens a lot of doors for tech professionals."
Don't hesitate to level up your future gaming career. Request more info about Husson or apply online today to get started.
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