learning other programs that do the same thing ....

Rockley Bonner

I hear that learning as many prgrams as you can can increase your probobility of getting hired but I just dont see the sensability in doing such a thing. Why would I want to waist time grinding through the learning prossess of another proram that does the same thing that another program that I have already mastered can do when I can focus at improving making assets?

Ark

Skills from one app to the next are transferable as long has they are based on the same principle, i.e. Max to Maya. Learning multiple apps when just starting out, that do the same things seems counter-productive to me.
Just stick with the one your feel most comfortable with and once you feel you've reached a point where you know what you need to know to get the job done, then think about learning something else on the side.
I'm sure you'd get hired by having a better portfolio and not using the chosen companies preferred app, than someone else that knows the companies app and having a less than par portfolio.

EVIL

Because some studio's use 3dsmax, and others maya? or XSI, or whatever! same goes for zbrush and mudbox

It might do the same thing, but diffrent studio's use diffrent packages. you have to adapt to the package the studio your working uses. they have built all the export tools etc to that specific suite of programs.

r_fletch_r

Make awesome models. So long as your not talking a highly technical job you can pick up the app as you work.