Alternate jobs in the game industry?

DavePhipps

As some of you know I'm a computer tech and have doing it for years. There was a budget cut at my current employer (I was the budget cut) so I decided it was time to go to school and finally earn a degree. In the next year or so I'll be graduating with an associates degree in Computer Information technology. Ihave also gotten a few tech certs A+, Network+, and will be getting a few MS ones and my CCNA before I graduate. Now I love game art and would love to have a job doing such, but my skill level isn't there yet. I'm thinking of moving back to the Seattle area once I graduate where there are more tech and game related jobs, but I have a question about the tech jobs.

Where does one look for game induatry tech support/Sys Admin/ IT infrastucture jobs? I've seen a few at Gamasutra, but that's about it. I know there have to be some people out there keeping the PCs, servers, and networks happy at studios and they probably don't do it for free. So where did they find their jobs? Inquiring minds want to know.

Hey, I found a map with links! This might be the starting point for my future job search
http://www.gamedevmap.com/index.php?tool=location&query=Seattle

salman_fas

I am currently doing an associate degree also, in Networking. It would be interesting to have a tech job in the game industry though I would prefer something more stable than the game industry once I graduate.

Ghostscape

With the exception of the head of IT at my current company, every IT hire I've known was a local hire. I'm unsure of the head of IT at my current company - he may have been a local hire too (although I don't believe he was). I'm not sure of the specifics of why or how he got the job over a local candidate.

At my previous job a few IT guys came from QA, I believe - QA is useful for transitioning to other departments in a developer in that it networks you and lets you sell your personality before they're hiring for a position.

DavePhipps

After following the link on the map I found there's seems to be hope for the future. If I was in Seattle right now Arenanet has a few nice opening and a few others do as well. Checking the SeattleTimes I found quite a few IT jobs, but not in the game industry.

after graduation I'm driving the RV out there and will probably be living in an RV park till I get myself a nice paying gig. It's good to have a home you can drive around

Andreas

And cook meth in.

DrunkShaman

Andreas wrote: »

And cook meth in.

and kill meth dealers in.

Joseph Silverman

hey now, killing meth dealers is illegal

Dave, man: http://www.gamasutra.com/jobs/board.php?category=14

DavePhipps

Don't worry, I've been there. Thanks though Joseph.
I'm finding more jobs looking through the map. This isn't for right now though. I still need to graduate and get the rest of the certs. Also need to get the methmobile RV running and repaired.