Austin GDC - game career seminar

TG1 · 06-13-2008, 07:42 AM

Hey all,

I'm starting to think about attending the game career seminar at the Austin GDC this september.
I have a few questions on the subject:
1. Is anyone else here planing to attend?
2. Is it worth registering for the entire event instead of just the seminar? (It costs about 3 times more)
3. Since this would be my first conference (if I decide to go) is there anything I should do to prepare besides printing a few coppies of my resume?
4. (This one is becuase I live outside of the USA and am a bit geographically challenged) how far Austin is from Plano? (I want to go and visit SMU if I'm already there)

jillduffy · 06-13-2008, 08:45 AM

1. I'll be there!

2. Whether you attend the whole GDC or just the seminar really depends on your level of knowledge. The GDC has a lot of higher-level talks that relate to what goes on right in the development studio; if you're not in the industry already, these talks with be enlightening, but not necessarily applicable yet to what you're doing.

3. Bring resumes, yes, and also business cards. Card-swapping is a big activity at conferences. Bring something to take notes on, either a notebook computer or a paper notebook.

4. Plano is more than 200 miles away, so it would be a full day trip to drive there or take a short flight. I just visited The Guildhall yesterday, actually, and it is not easily accessed by public transportation. You'll need a car to get there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TG1

Hey all,

I'm starting to think about attending the game career seminar at the Austin GDC this september.
I have a few questions on the subject:
1. Is anyone else here planing to attend?
2. Is it worth registering for the entire event instead of just the seminar? (It costs about 3 times more)
3. Since this would be my first conference (if I decide to go) is there anything I should do to prepare besides printing a few coppies of my resume?
4. (This one is becuase I live outside of the USA and am a bit geographically challenged) how far Austin is from Plano? (I want to go and visit SMU if I'm already there)

Gshonk · 06-15-2008, 06:13 AM

I can't make it this year

But like Jill said bring lots of business cards. And the career seminar rocks.

CKeene · 06-15-2008, 07:13 AM

I'm signed up as a volunteer, so I will be there.

Gshonk · 06-15-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CKeene

I'm signed up as a volunteer, so I will be there.

WOO CAs for the win!!!

Duckman · 06-16-2008, 04:49 AM

ok what about a person like myself that has little game development experience? I only have a year of software development and with some modding on the side so I don't believe I will be looking for a job there, purely going for information. I have business cards from my current job and my general resume stating all my previous experience, which isn't much (Software Developer now and Internship at Brookhaven National Laboratory 2 summers ago) Anyways, anyone have any advice for me on whether I should go or not and for just the seminar or for the whole thing? Thanks!

Adrir · 06-16-2008, 09:26 AM

I wish I could go, but I'm struggling to pay myself through uni over here in the UK, nevermind take a flight to the USA lol!

jillduffy · 06-16-2008, 09:54 AM

I would definitely recommend you personally NOT attend the full GDC. It sounds like you don't yet have enough exposure to the industry to get your money's worth from the high-level talks.

You WOULD benefit from the Career Seminar. It will give you some tips about how to beef up your resume, how to make the most of sending out your resume, and things of that nature.

If you're in the Austin area or within a few hours drive, I'd say definitely go. If you have to fly, then it's probably a matter of whether you can afford the trip.

Also, it takes place on a Wednesday, so if you are from out of town, you might need to take off work and grab a hotel for a night, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duckman

ok what about a person like myself that has little game development experience? I only have a year of software development and with some modding on the side so I don't believe I will be looking for a job there, purely going for information. I have business cards from my current job and my general resume stating all my previous experience, which isn't much (Software Developer now and Internship at Brookhaven National Laboratory 2 summers ago) Anyways, anyone have any advice for me on whether I should go or not and for just the seminar or for the whole thing? Thanks!

Duckman · 06-16-2008, 11:39 AM

I am certainly from out of town, I am from the outskirts of New York City, which provides the problem of jobs near by as well as attending the GDCs. I would need to take a look at flight options and prices and such. I would probably go for the day of and the day after I would fly back. Honestly, if it is just for knowledge, then I am not sure I would want to spend that kind of money. I think I can just talk to people on forums and such, but I really wanted to try and build some contacts and it seems difficult this way only. Anyways thanks for your help Jill.

TG1 · 06-16-2008, 01:17 PM

how fast do places for these things fill up? (or in other words - how long do I have to decide if I'm coming or not?).

regarding the rest of the convention - I'm a programmer in IT (been one for over 10 years), and I did see some technical sessions that look interesting (and I might even understand what they're talking about). Actually I'm really interested in the social networking track, since my BA is in social sciences and I'm going to take a course on the socialization of the internet next semester (and probably do one of my seminar papers on the subject). I'm not sure what will I get out of it professionaly, but since I'll be coming all the way from Israel, I might as well stay the whole 3 days, right?