[aldo_14]

Right.... I decide to start looking at jobs today, so I actually have something to do once I finsih uni in June.

Problem is that i'm qualified for exactly... sod all.  I already have a BSC, I'm on course for a 1st class honours and have averaged over 80% (more or less) in allmy exams, including a couple of +90% marks in the hardest ones last year.

but because my uni chose Java as the language to teach, I can't get any of the jobs I'd want.... the closest is doing some stupid ****ing mobile phone programming.  what's more, i can't even attempt to learn C++, because my course is literally non-stop.  (that's why i'm up at 1:30am working.....)

SO my only choice is to do a postgrad - which i can barely afford to - take a **** job and basically work a second job trying to learn C++ (basically abandon any hope of free time for the next year), go into business myself (doomed), or switch to trying to be a 3d artist.  And i can't even do the latter properly, because I don't have a clue on kinematics rigs, or skinning, or animation, et al.

So I'm going to end up with one of the top degrees (literally - apparently my course is the second hardest) in Scotland, but no skills to get a job I actually want to do.  whereas i could have taken some ****ty 3 year business degree and be set.

Fan-bloody-tastic.

[Dark_4ce]

Trust me, I feel your pain...

[mikhael]

Aldo, I think, asside from the concept of pointers, that you could convert your java skills easily. You don't seem the "but java lets you..." type. I figure you've got the brains to pick up C++ quick.

Personally, I'd hit the mobile phone route. There's money to be had there. Its a market that isn't going away and it just keeps getting bigger.  Besides, its a way into the telecommunications industry. There's LOTS of money to be had there if you're good.

[magatsu1]

Congrats no the scores.

Can't your tutors suggest someting ?

[Sandwich]

Originally posted by mikhael
Personally, I'd hit the mobile phone route. There's money to be had there. Its a market that isn't going away and it just keeps getting bigger.  Besides, its a way into the telecommunications industry. There's LOTS of money to be had there if you're good.

Hell yeah! Make a Java-based Trillian for mobile phones and you'll be rich.

[aldo_14]

Making mobile phone apps...isn't exactly inspiring stuff for me.  That's the problem.  Also, the only jobs I could find of that ilk are several hundred miles from where i live, and i don't have the cash to afford to move.

[mikhael]

What about making mobile phone GAMES?

[Sandwich]

PhoneSpace!!

[aldo_14]

not unless someone wants me to make ChampMan....... I want to make proper games, dammit.  Just wish I'd realised that 2 years ago, when i could have done something about it in time.

Guess my best hope is to finsih the game i'm doing for my project and port it onto C++ as a self-tutorial.

[vyper]

aldo mate, have you thought about a post grad in games development? We run one at Caley, a Masters. From our courses any computing student that grads Computing with Specialist Stream can get in, and I'd assume with a 1st class would get in!

www.gcal.ac.uk

:thepimp:

[aldo_14]

I considered the Abertay course (turned the degree course down, actually), but I don't really want to stay on at uni any longer.... besides which, a lot of computer games courses are glorified integrated systems courses, I've been told.

[vyper]

Well, you ain't seen anything like our games lab but... heh, okay.

I find it hard to believe someone like Rockstar wouldn't take you on if you sent them samples of your work from around here. Who've you heard from so far?

[Nico]

Man, don't complain. At least, that phone stuff is remotely linked to what you wanna do. I have a 3D artist formation, and what job am I doing? I'm a f'cking night receptionist in an hotel.
Wanna switch places?

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by vyper
Well, you ain't seen anything like our games lab but... heh, okay.

I find it hard to believe someone like Rockstar wouldn't take you on if you sent them samples of your work from around here. Who've you heard from so far?

nonoe...I can't find anyone in Scotalnds that's hiring any Java programmers, let alone in the games industry.  It's even worse for graphical stuff, and I'm not nearly qualified for that anyway.

Originally posted by Nico
Man, don't complain. At least, that phone stuff is remotely linked to what you wanna do. I have a 3D artist formation, and what job am I doing? I'm a f'cking night receptionist in an hotel.
Wanna switch places?

Yeah, that's true - you do have a ****ey situation for someone with that amount of ability.

[übermetroid]

You think that is bad?  My GF just told me this morning that I am 8 months away from being a dad.  

That means that I am going to have to get a full time job to make sure my kid is healthy.  And with a full time job I will not be able to continue school.  And I only have 3 more semesters too!

What should I do without a degree?  Maybe I should just join the Coast Guard and do anti-terrorist patrols around the Bay Area.....  

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by ubermetroid
You think that is bad?  My GF just told me this morning that I am 8 months away from being a dad.  

That means that I am going to have to get a full time job to make sure my kid is healthy.  And with a full time job I will not be able to continue school.  And I only have 3 more semesters too!

What should I do without a degree?  Maybe I should just join the Coast Guard and do anti-terrorist patrols around the Bay Area.....  

Can you not get support, though?  A friend of mine has 3 kids (he's 30) and gets a decent amount in support grants for that - surely there's somewhere you can turn?

NB:  I'm feeling kind of selfish for *****ing about my own concerns when other people have more pressing concerns..... so apologies to anyone who thinks i'm bieng a little over dramatic.

[vyper]

[q]nonoe...I can't find anyone in Scotalnds that's hiring any Java programmers, let alone in the games industry. It's even worse for graphical stuff, and I'm not nearly qualified for that anyway.[/q]
You're scaring me here mate.

[q]You think that is bad? My GF just told me this morning that I am 8 months away from being a dad. [/q]

Congratulations and comiserations.

[IceFire]

Originally posted by aldo_14

I'm feeling kind of selfish for *****ing about my own concerns when other people have more pressing concerns..... so apologies to anyone who thinks i'm bieng a little over dramatic.

No need to appologise...to each of us our situation and its problems are definately relative.  I definately hear you Aldo...you work long and hard to achieve the grades necessary to get through all the school...you learn how to jump through all the hoops and then they become irrelevant.

I'm still in third year with another year to go (well a semester and a half as it stands right now) and everyone has no idea what jobs will be there at the end of the line for us.  Being in a new Communications program means we're the forefront of what may or may not be something

[Bobboau]

Originally posted by aldo_14
Java  

...sorry, I meant

[Liberator]

Best advice I can give:

Get a less than advantageous job to earn money for living and stuff, and work your way around to what you want to do.  You're still young(under 30 I assume), you've got lots of time to get into what you want.  

Java and C+ are similar, if your good in Java, you should be able to pick it up in no time.

Of course, this is all coming from someone who can't get even Wal-Mart or K-Mart to even call me.