there is a lot to unpack there, some good points for sure. I also know of a studio in town where the running joke is that you have to leave and come back to get a decent raise haha. "I have a colleague in QA at Ubisoft toronto, and while his job is model checking (art pass) there are ways internally to move into art…
I am currently working in 3rd party QA since it gives me time to do freelance work on the side. In between that I fit portfolio work. I have been approached by AAA companies in Montreal for interviews, which likely meant that there was something about the portfolio they liked. The interviews also go well. The issue I face…