Interested in becoming a programmer

[.INFO]

Hi everyone I am new here. I am from Jamaica and have a passion for playing video games. I want to turn this passion into a career as a programmer but there is a problem I am not sure which course I should take. I have done research through the internet and found out that game studios usually hire programmers who hold a degree in computer science. In Jamaica there are only two schools that I came across that have courses related to computer science "University of technology" and "University College Of the Caribbean" here are the web page links

"University of technology" - http://www.utech.edu.jm/Faculties/En...BSC_degree.htm

"University of technology" degree details - http://www.utech.edu.jm/Faculties/En...ee_details.htm

"University College Of the Caribbean" - http://www.uccjm.com/degree_bsc_imp_...echnology.html

Can anyone advise me which school is better for me becoming a programmer I hope to attend one in the very near future and upon completion attend "FullSail" - http://www.fullsail.com/

Thanks in advance

[yaustar]

They are both about the same but neither are particularly great for programmers. Look for a Computer Science course.

From a quick Google search:
http://www.mona.uwi.edu/dmcs/cs_bsc.htm

Before applying, remember to visit the Universities on Open Days.

If you do a Computer Science degree, you don't need to go to Full Sail. As long as you also self study and work on your own game related projects in your spare time during University, you can find a job as a Junior Games Programmer.

(Please note that there are no Games companies in Jamaica from what I know so getting a job overseas will be a challenge, especially when you are trying to break in).

[Gshonk]

Originally Posted by yaustar

If you do a Computer Science degree, you don't need to go to Full Sail. As long as you also self study and work on your own game related projects in your spare time during University, you can find a job as a Junior Games Programmer.

Going to agree you shouldn't need to do another school AND Full Sail.

[dominicds]

This logic worries me a little bit:

Originally Posted by .INFO

[i] have a passion for playing video games. I want to turn this passion into a career as a programmer...

Before you begin the process of investing years and (probably) thousands of dollars into a programming career, make sure you know what you're getting into. Playing games is very different from programming games. Heck, often times, it's very different from what you'd think of as making games. That's not to that there is no overlap between the fun of playing games and the fun of programming them; but it can be very narrow.

Look at programming tutorials; read some code; get involved with some other programming communities and make sure programming is what you want to do before you commit. If being a coder doesn't appeal to you, maybe you'd be better off pursuing a career as a game designer?