The Next Steps

1
The Next Steps

• College to Career, One Step at a Time
• November 7th, 2007

2
Who
the
HECK
is
THIS
Guy?
3
The Video Game Industry
4
Some Cool Facts About the Industry

• Halo 2 took over as the 1 best-selling
  entertainment media. Halo 3 blew that out of the
  water.
• The Video Games Industry is currently one of the
  fastest growing industries in the world.
• 85 (and growing) of todays children play or
  have played Video Games.
• Most people still consider Video Game careers as
  a Dream job!

5
Some Not-So-Cool Facts About the Industry

• Highly competitive market.
• Crunch time is still a big reality.
• We still have a ways to go to be fully diverse.
• Getting in is in many ways about who you know.

6
How Do I Get In?
7
Taking Risks

• Dont be afraid of new challenges.

8
Some Thoughts on Risk

• The more you risk, the more you stand to gain.
• Look before you leap.
• If at first you dont succeed, try, try again.
• Not all Risks are worth Taking!

9
Your Education
10
Surviving the School Daze

• Many people will argue that School can be more
  challenging than the real world.
• Pace yourself, and practice managing your time
  and energy.
• Friends dont let friends study drunk.
• There is an end in sight.

11
Motivation and Determination

• Passion is KEY!

12
How to Stay Focused

• This is your Dream. Do not give that up.
• Ramen and Mountain Dew are NOT equivalent to
  sleep.
• Push yourself to do more than just Graduate.
• Meet others you can share your enthusiasm with.

13
The Transition A Brief Film
14
The Real World

• For many, this is the first time becoming
  independent.
• Bills, Bills, and more Bills.
• Your future is now.
• 2nd hardest transition for modern lives.

15
Meeting People

• Conferences, Events, and Meetings!

16
How to Say Hi Correctly

• For the Love of God and all that is Holy, bathe.
• Do NOT go Fanboy!!
• Wait for a moment of opportunity
• Be prepared to exchange cards
• FOLLOW UP WITH AN E-MAIL LATER!!

17
Contact Cards

• Contact Cards are your BEST friend!

18
Contact Card Rules

• NEVER put Student on the card
• Give them to everyone you can
• Leave the back of the card blank
• Always have a card with you

19
Getting that 1st Job

• Someone you know, knows someone who is hiring.
• Getting a job is like playing the lottery the
  more people you know, the more tickets you have.
• Be Diligent! Check with friends, company
  websites, local ads

20
The Interview

• Rest and eat well the day before.
• Show up 15 minutes early.
• Ask about the dress code if unsure, polo and
  slacks should work.
• Be prepared! Know your strengths and weaknesses
  and be ready for any questions.

21
While You Wait

• Continue to polish your portfolio.
• Apply at other companies if you find others that
  match what youre looking for.
• Look through your network for connections to
  these companies.
• Find temporary work if necessary.

22
You Did It!
23
Am I Done?

• The hard part is over, but you still have a
  career ahead of you.
• Expand your network with your co-workers.
• Show your passion for the industry with your
  work.
• Please, please, PLEASE, remember to bathe.

24
Pester Me!

• E-Mail TheAquaticJew_at_gmail.com
• AIM AquaJew4JUSTICE
• Yahoo! AquaJewForJUSTICE
• ICQ 46332332
• MSN DrkSphere_at_hotmail.com
• LinkedIn Tamir.Nadav_at_gmail.com
• Phone Maybe, once I determine youre not
  really, really creepy.

25
Selena Jean Marchabeyoglu,
Will You Marry Me?