Stuck on making decisions...
polycounter lvl 8
So I'm 18. I'm about to head into university for 3D Games Art in the UK. It's a brilliant uni, the lecturers are really nice and its well funded so it has a great working environment. It's reputation for game dev is pretty high too. I can also pay for it.
Here's the thing though, I'm currently in college. I'm doing this really boring 2 year IT course that I have no respect for and I really don't want anything to do with it. I've completed year 1. So I find an open event in the uni that I want to attend and I present my portfolio work to the course leader and he's impressed and wants me on board. This is great for me. I can actually get on a career path and learn what matters to me the most. A tutor at my college however thinks that its not the best idea I do this because when it comes to employment, employers would see this gap in the course I'm currently on, and then question it. Making my potential employment go down.
My question is, do employers actually care about this? Would an employer care that I only did 1 year in this IT course? Or would my education in high school and college be pretty much irrelevant to them?
This brings me to my most important question. What do employers actually care about? Portfolio? Degree? Any prior education?
Lastly, another concern that my tutor brought up was my English and Math grades. During middle school I aced English but I failed Math. Math has always been a toughie for me. Not practically though, I do script and work with shaders at times. But on paper I sort of struggle.
So my final question is, if I had a brilliant portfolio, would an employer care if I've got English but not Maths?
I feel like my tutor is sort of biased. Shes using the same logic on employability as other fields and industries and then assuming thats how it would be in this field and industry. I'm not sure if she is aware that qualifications aren't nearly as valuable as a good portfolio and art tests that lead afterwards. But then again, I'm not 100% sure either, hence me asking.
Here's the thing though, I'm currently in college. I'm doing this really boring 2 year IT course that I have no respect for and I really don't want anything to do with it. I've completed year 1. So I find an open event in the uni that I want to attend and I present my portfolio work to the course leader and he's impressed and wants me on board. This is great for me. I can actually get on a career path and learn what matters to me the most. A tutor at my college however thinks that its not the best idea I do this because when it comes to employment, employers would see this gap in the course I'm currently on, and then question it. Making my potential employment go down.
My question is, do employers actually care about this? Would an employer care that I only did 1 year in this IT course? Or would my education in high school and college be pretty much irrelevant to them?
This brings me to my most important question. What do employers actually care about? Portfolio? Degree? Any prior education?
Lastly, another concern that my tutor brought up was my English and Math grades. During middle school I aced English but I failed Math. Math has always been a toughie for me. Not practically though, I do script and work with shaders at times. But on paper I sort of struggle.
So my final question is, if I had a brilliant portfolio, would an employer care if I've got English but not Maths?
I feel like my tutor is sort of biased. Shes using the same logic on employability as other fields and industries and then assuming thats how it would be in this field and industry. I'm not sure if she is aware that qualifications aren't nearly as valuable as a good portfolio and art tests that lead afterwards. But then again, I'm not 100% sure either, hence me asking.
Replies
Gap years and such don't matter, especially not the ones before graduation. If you have big gaps between jobs it might come up as a "what were you up to?" because people just want to get to know you. I actually dropped out of an absolute garbage of a course at UCA Farnham two months in, absolutely no regrets. Hertfordshire was great, shout out to @littleclaude!
How important math is (not the grade) comes down to how you specialize. I'm all art so I'm happy being stuck on an elementary level, but I can imagine shader/techical is different. Know enough math to get the job done, I imagine.
About math, I want to specialise in ART. Pumping out good quality art and evironment assets. Personally I want to be a generalist, head into animation and vfx as well as shaders and architectural renders. But I want to specialise in 3D Environment art. Be it high or low poly. I've created some work that I'd consider even triple A quality and I can honestly say the type of 'general elementary math' they teach isn't required at all. I've never had that sort of problem or issue. I'm a fast and practical learner but doing math on paper is just not my thing.
Truth be told, I love 3d art. And I have for 3 years now. I really want to smash out uni and come out with the best possible portfolio. Now I now that my uni isnt going to land me a job. It's practice, dedication, attitude and effort that will. But I know that my uni will be there to support me and teach me. I also know that as I'm saying this, I'm also inexperienced and I've not tasted the industry however I'm going to go with my gut and what makes sense to me and use the information and knowledge I'm provided by those who I'm grateful for that provide it.
Hi Alex
Thanks for the shout out, man your portfolio is rocking now! http://bedrock.artstation.com/. Come back and give a talk some time
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As for this thread, I'll keep it short, my advice would be to work hard, try lots of different skills as you might find your either good at something you have never tried before or you’re not very good at something but you loved doing the task, in this case focus on what you love, get good and fast at it and portfolio is key. Good luck
Well sounds like you are going to enjoy uni, try to make some friends while you are there. It's a small world out here and you will be bumping into each other a lot once you have graduated. In the meantime try to make art and put it up on here, get ahead of the curve.
@littleclaude
Hey Neil, will definitely hit you up once I'm back in the UK!
Also yeah I'm aware that networking during uni is really, really important.