Careers in the Video Gaming Industry

Careers in the Video Gaming IndustryCareers in the Video Gaming IndustryThe video gaming industry has caught on among both teenagers and adults alike and has created numerous jobs for people who find themselves fascinated by the process. Talk about following your passion If you find yourself spending hours on end playing your favorite video games, a career in the video game industry might just be theright career for you. Video and computer games have become one of the largest segments of the entertainment industry. As can be imagined, careers in video gaming are on the rise and arealso very competitive due to the thousands of people who would like to land a job in anindustry doing what they love. To get started there are also many internships available in the field of video gaming such as those at Sony and TimeGate Studios. Types of Jobs in Video Gaming Game DevelopersGame DesignersProgrammersTesters Job Descriptions Game developers are just what they sound like, individuals who make video games. The talents of many people go into creating a game. These include but are not limited to software developers, game designers, programmers, and testers. Programmers A programming team is usually involved in creating a computer program through the planning and coding of the software. Within the programming team, there may be individuals included with the following titles graphics engine programming, artificial intelligence programmers, and tool programmers. Programmers are responsible for translating ideas using numeric equations. The video game industry is highly competitive. Programmers with 3-D skills and artificial intelligence expertise are in the highest demand in the industry. Programmer Knowledge Skills One of the prerequisites to become a programmer is excellent math and computer skills. Courses in trigonometry, linear algebra, and analytical geometry are all extremely helpful when thinking of becoming a programmer in the video gaming industry. Game programmers must possess skill and experience using C and C languages which are the ones most often used in the industry. Designers In the initial stages of developing a game, the design team creates a document that lays out each and every aspect of the game. The design team is the group that is responsible for writing the game concept, developing the action of the characters, and establishing the elements in which to play the game. Computer animation and graphic design are an integral part of the design team. Also as part of the design team, the artistic team works to create the images, compose the music, and generate the sound. It is the design team that makes the game entertaining for players. The designers can be referred to as the storytellers, but it is the players who are allowed to control the game and decide on the outcome. It is the artists who create the graphics that end up producing images on the screen. The concept artists then draw sketches and storyboards to enhance the artists ideas. Character artists design and create the characters on a whiteboard, while it is the animators who are responsible for making the characters move by creating personalities through their facial and body movement. The artists will then proceed to build the characters using modeling software on the computer. The background artists create the backdrop for the game and begin the process by drafting what they envision out on paper. Artists then build these creatures on the computer using modeling software. Animation creates the personality of the character through facial and body movements. hintergrund artists create the background and draft it out on paper. Game artists need visual imagination. They find their inspiration by observing, studying movies, comics, and fine art. They love to experiment with new ideas. Most have formal training in fine arts or an arts-related field. They may study drawing painting, color theory, sculpture, and graphic design. Moving from the actual artwork, the sound designers are those individuals who compose the music and create the sound thats included in the game. To create the right mood for the game, sound designers must work very closely with the game designers to provide the right music and sounds to enhance the players enjoyment of the game. Designer Knowledge Skills To be a designer you must possess excellent communication skills, have a strong ability to write, and be able to communicate ideas clearly. Sound designers must be musically creative and have some familiarity with all kinds of different music. Sound designers must also understand the basics of computer hardware and software and understand the work of the programmers working on individual projects. A degree in music and a basic understanding of music theory and composition are also very helpful if not a requirement for the job. Testing At the end of the entire process, the game will need to be tested. Testers are the people who pla y the games for a living (yes there are those kinds of jobs). Testers begin by looking for errors in the overall design and are responsible for working out the bugs prior to the game being sent to production.? Testing Knowledge Skills To be a game tester, there are no major requirements. Of course, an interest in playing video games for hours on end with an ability to spot errors that occur in the game is the minimum of qualifications. Writing and communication skills, computer experience, and a college education may be required for some of the more competitive jobs. Benefits Casual working environmentTraditional benefits usually providedThose in the industry usually enjoy the process and the outcome Disadvantages Long, irregular hoursDisappointment for the thousands of video games that never get published

13 embarrassing self-help books that actually worked for us

13 embarrassing self-help books that actually worked for us13 embarrassing self-help books that actually worked for usAs a diehard literary snob who once had to shut a book club down because it got too popular, this doesnt come easily to me I like the occasional self-help book.This is a list of the books that arent showcased on my bookshelf. I havent read them in coffee shops. If youre like me, you would probably rip the covers off them, download them to your Kindle, buy them on Audible long before devouring.Theres a good reason for that most self-help books are as awful as their horrendously designed covers imply. But in the saturated world of self-improvement, self-confidence, all the selfs, there are plenty of self-help books that will change the way you think, see, do, and act. These are a few of our favorites - and of course, if youve got any recommendations hit us up.1. YOU ARE A BADASS By Jen SinceroLets just abflug with the most obvious option, the self-help book du jour You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero. When our CEO, Lauren and I were flying to a work event, and I needed sohonigweinhing to read at the airport, she put it this way, It looks like it would be terrible, but actually, I think youll really like it. And I did, I really did.Essentially, its a modern take (read full of snarky commentary and swear words) on the whole if you believe it, it will happen juju thing. Bonus Sincero includes a list of all her favorite self-help books in the back, which are definitely worth looking into.2. FEELING GOOD THE NEW MOOD THERAPY By David D. BurnsMy therapist specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and often hands me Xeroxed copies of pages or exercises to work on between sessions. Because Im a bit of an overachiever, I sometimes look the books up on Amazon and buy them outright. Feeling Good is one of those books. That glaring yellow cover makes you think youre about to open something absurd, but actually, its written by one of the forefathers of CB T.For those of you that arent familiar, heres my (very) unprofessional explanation the idea is that you see the world through a lens of your own making and, by adjusting that lens, you can improve how you feel. Basically, you cant control what other people do, but you can control how you react to it. Its interesting and also effective - hence why many therapists out there specialize in CBT.3. LOVING WHAT IS By Byron KatieI read this book years ago but just recently revisited it. When I checked into a hip hotel in Berlin earlier this summer, every room had a complimentary copy. And when on that same trip my boyfriend and I broke up, skimming it again brought some much-needed relief. Katies method involves journaling your negative thoughts or beliefs - anything from my ex is awful for breaking up with me in Berlin (ahem) to my father was a horrible parent to As a black woman, I hate white people because theyre scary (two-thirds of the book is comprised of real examples) - and then asking yourself four questions to challenge those beliefs or assumptions.Some people argue this is Katies method is just an informal version of CBT, which I get having read Feeling Good as well.4. THE CREATIVE HABIT By Twyla TharpArguably, this isnt an embarrassing self-help book at all. Twyla Tharp is a famous choreographer and a total badass whose book is perfectly acceptable on your coffee table. The Creative Habit is smart, beautifully designed, and unique. So just read it. (Im obsessed with this thing she does with collecting inspiration like magazine pages and cassette tapes in physical boxes to revisit them later.)5. THE SEAT OF THE SOUL By Gary ZukovConfession I have not read this yet. Its on this list because the friend I stayed within Berlin after my breakup (We know, we know.) told me that reading The Seat of the soulmusik convinced her to end a three-year relationship with her boyfriend who wouldnt commit and move to Germany on her own without a real plan. Shes happy, t hriving, and one of the most stable women I know, so yeah, Im reading this next.6. WABI SABI FOR ARTISTS, DESIGNERS, POETS PHILOSOPHERS By Leonard KorenAs noted in the books title, this is a read thats resolutely directed at creatives. That said, its a breath of fresh air for anyone whos interested in design thinking (i.e. focusing on how to solve problems by redesigning the processes), which should be pretty much anyone. I cant remember now which company makes this required reading for all its new employees (Twitter? Instagram? Zappos?), but thats the context in which I first heard about it. It makes sense given that Koren explains the philosophy like this Pare down to the essence, but dont remove the poetry. Keep things clean and unencumbered, but dont sterilize.7. THE ARTIST WAY By Julia CameronStuck in a creative rut? This book is renowned for a reason. Julia Cameron is/was a writer, director, playwright, etc. who (after she quit drinking) started teaching other people how to conquer creative blocks, which ultimately turned into a book. Most people have a love-hate relationship with The Artists Way - indeed, if you Google it, youll find countless articles about why it drives people crazy - but its also brilliant in its simplicity and focuses on action.According to the New Yorker, its a book that can be classified as self-help but is mora like common sense a program designed to help readers reject the devils of self-doubt on their shoulders and pursue creative activity not as a profession but as a form of therapy. The action parte involves writing morning pages AKA free-form journaling every day. Theres also the artists date which involves taking yourself to one cultural place per week. Straightforward, right?8. INTUITIVE EATINGBy Evelyn Tribole and Elise ReschThis is a book I often re-read when Im feeling self-conscious about my body or how Ive been treating it. And honestly, even if shes a diehard feminist committed to body acceptance, what woman doe snt have those days? Were imperfect. Intuitive eating is about tuning into your own hunger and needs and finally letting go of the diet mindsets most of us have. Its interesting, though. Once you grasp the concept, you start thinking about how you can focus on mindfulness and making intuitive decisions in other aspects of your life including relationships and work. Hence why it made this list.9. HOLD ME TIGHT SEVEN CONVERSATIONS FOR A LIFETIME OF LOVE By Dr. Sue JohnsonI came to this book after Googling relationship fight loops because my ex-boyfriend and I always seemed to be in them. The search returned a hit for an article in The Cut that seemed to be about us (but was actually about the writer and her husband).There are several interesting concepts in Dr. Johnsons approach, which shes termed emotionally-focused couples therapy. One of them is that in a society that primes us to believe we shouldnt need anyone as adults, its precisely that lack of vulnerability thats destroying o ur relationships. Theres also this thing called demon dialogues - including fight loops - which are the patterns we fall into when were fighting with someone we love. Johnson argues that if we can recognize them as theyre happening, a miraculous thing happens the behavior becomes the enemy, not your partner. Did it save my relationship? No, but now I realize nothing could have. That said, those loops we had became much more infrequent.10. 10% HAPPIER By Dan HarrisI came late to the Dan Harris craze by way of this documentary called Minimalism, which frankly, I thought was awful. Still, I liked some of the premise, and when the cameras panned to Harris, I perked right up. A self-medicating spiral, a panic attack on national news- this is one of those personal narratives that screams If hes figured this out, maybe I can, too. Thats about when Harris found meditation. This book takes the heaviness out of meditating, which makes it feel much more accessible than I ever considered it c ould be.11. ZEN MIND, BEGINNERS MIND By Shunru SuzukiWhen I left my first full-time job at a music ticketing startup, one of the most zen (couldnt help myself) people Ive ever met handed me a copy of this. Hed somehow sensed how stressed out I was at work - hence why Id applied to and found a new job - and he recommended giving this a try. I was like Yeah, okay, Joe, thanks a lot. But I did read it, and he was right, it helps. Thus, it became my first ever experience with an embarrassing self-help book that actually works.12. YOULL SEE IT WHEN YOU BELIEVE IT By Wayne DyerThis is our editorial assistant, Jacquelines dads favorite self-help book. And if you met Jacqueline or heard stories about her dad and the kinds of zen AF things he texts her every day (this mornings was Im honored to be your dad and to be loved by you), youd want to read it, too.13. YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE By Louise HayThis is another one of those change your life via positive thinking self-help books, which can definitely start to feel clich. Except heres the thing it was one of the very first. Shes also the originator of all these affirmations such as life loves you and only good can come to me. So heres what Id say read as much of it as you can before the metaphysical bits start to drive you nuts, take the parts you like, leave the ones you dont. But coming from someone who hated the idea of affirmations youll be shocked to realize how much they actually work.Thisarticlefirst appeared onCareer Contessa.

Ten Highly Requested Soft Skills

Ten Highly Requested Soft Skills Ten Highly Requested Soft Skills Soft skills are an important part of your professional toolbox. They are essential to virtually every job, and not all of them can be acquired through education or on-the-job training.Soft skills make up all the intangible qualities of a person that make them an ideal match for the job, company culture, etc.For many employers, an applicants soft skills will make or break their chances at getting the job. Hiring managers sometimes enter soft skill keywords in to applicant tracker software just as they would education and hard skills required for the position.Learn moreHard skills vs. soft skillsThis makes adding, or at least finding a way to show your soft skills on your resume, critical in a modern resume.There are two ways to add soft skills to your resume. You can state them obviously in a list through a special skills and qualifications area of your resume, or insert them into your work history as part of your accom plishments and responsibilities.After all, many employers believe soft skills have to be demonstrated rather than simply listed.For example, a career call center manager might list accountability as a soft skill by injecting it into a bullet point on their last job. Creating bullet points as part of a soft skills resume section or throughout your work experience can workAccountability Created a new call center grading matrix that resulted in decreased turnover and a 25% increase in efficiency.Created a multi-team competition to improve accountability for call metrics in an effort to increase efficiency throughout the department.Not all soft skills can be added directly to a resume. Emotional intelligence is one such example. It isnt a phrase you would use to describe a job function. The positiv side of this is it wouldnt be searched for by the hiring manager using applicant tracking software.Instead, soft skills like these are more often revealed through the interview process.Now th at you know how to inject these keywords into your resume, we will focus on which soft skills employers are looking for the fruchtwein.Here are 10 soft skills that are in high demand among employers.FlexibilityFlexibility is a big one for almost every employer. Employees that arent flexible in their schedule, job duties, and/or the challenges they face in their jobs are harder to work with from the employers perspective.Flexibility can be demonstrated in your resume in a number of ways. For exampleFlexibility Managed representatives across multiple shifts to aid in the transition to new metrics standards.Work EthicWork ethic, like flexibility, encompasses several habits that are especially desirable to an employer. Your willingness to take ownership of shortcomings, make good on company mistakes (regardless of fault), and to correct errors (even when they are to your advantage).Demonstrating work ethic is likely to happen during the interview process through questions about failures or challenges, but this skill can be touched on in your resume. For exampleLead a multi-team training program emphasizing the importance of ownership, accountability, and strong work ethics.Work Ethic Maintained perfect attendance during my five-year term of employment with the company.harte nuss SolvingProblem solving is an exceedingly difficult skill to teach someone. It comes naturally to some people, while others struggle with it throughout their careers.A good problem solver is very valuable as it shows the employee has the promise of taking on additional roles and adapting to challenging situations.Here is an example of problem solving as they might appear in a resumeProblem Solving Created a new process for handling customer complaints resulting in an 80% increase in customer satisfaction.TeamworkHow well you work as an individual is important, but how well you work with a team will determine your long-term success with a company.Demonstrating teamwork is an important part o f your resume, and it can be done very easily. Here is an exampleLed a quarterly team-building workshop designed to improve teamwork and morale.Time ManagementTime management means a lot to an employer. Good time management skills means you can get more done in less time, or that the time you have is spent as efficiently as possible.This can be demonstrated in several ways. Heres an exampleTime Management Consistently exceeded company efficiency goals.CommunicationCommunication skills are key, especially in positions that require you to coordinate between multiple departments or individuals. Customer service is one area in particular where communication skills make or break and employee.Here are two ways to demonstrate communication skills in your resumeCommunication Rated highest in the department in customer service resulting from after-call surveys.Established and maintained a line of communication between departments resulting in the successful completion of several key projects .AdaptabilityMany companies are big on cross-training and encouraging multitasking among their employees. If you are slow in your department, but have the skills to help out another, this makes you a bigger asset to the business.Adaptability reflects your ability to work in a rapidly-evolving environment. Here is an example of adaptability in a resumeAdaptability Volunteered to be cross-trained in multiple departments to provide additional assistance as needed.Technical SkillsBasic technical understanding is a given for most jobs today, but not adding this information to your resume does you a disservice when hiring managers turn to software to filter applicants.If your job requires a specific set of technical skills, list them. If you are technically savvy, find a way to work it into your resume, as well.Beta tested multiple content management systems to determine viability for the department.Created a spreadsheet that calculates payment plan installments and automatically generate s notes for the representative.ResearchAkin to problem solving, the ability for an employee to study a problem and assess a situation is an important quality for many jobs.Improved call center efficiency by 20% by researching statistical data and identifying inefficiencies.Work Under PressureHow are you in high-pressure situations? Do you have a story about a time when you had to pull out all the stops during a busy time at the office? Hold on to it, you will probably need that story during the interview.Before the interview, however, you will want to at least hint that you work well under pressure.Maintained top quality standards during peak months.Your soft skills are an important part of your professional qualifications. Dont be afraid to add them to your resume, they just might help you land your dream job.Does your resume list enough soft skills? Double check by scanning it here