Progression plan for going into the games industry

For the rest of this year and the next i will be continuing on with my current course at college, during the second year is when ill be heavily considering my future options, whether i enrol at a university, go straight into employment or find a higher apprenticeship position.

All these progression routes will eventually lead into the industry, however each of the three choices have their own advantages and disadvantages. For example if i were to secure a higher apprenticeship position after i finish my second year at South Devon, the higher apprenticeship has the possibility to last between two or three years. After i complete the higher apprenticeship, theres always the possibility that the studio which i enrolled as an apprentice for decides to offer me a position full-time. Although taking this route could get me into the industry quite easily.However i don’t think id take this pathway because of the “chance” that i might not be offered the position at company i was an apprentice for, resulting in me wasting a few years working as an apprentice for them. Id rather be able to give myself a better chance at getting into the industry by earning the further qualifications first needed to secure a job, instead of relying on the possibility that an employer decides to keep an apprentice on. To get the further qualifications needed id obviously need to enroll onto a university course. Using my research on relevant University courses available to me in task 1 i was able to see what courses would be available to me with the qualifications earned after i leave college a year an a half from now. For example if i decided to apply at Staffordshire University’s Computer games design and programming course .The course takes up to 3 years full-time or 4 years full-time taking me up to the 5th year mark. The course covers more than one skill in the design and programming industry, so in theory after graduation in theory id be a “jack of all trades”, having skills in both the programming and design/modelling sides needed in the industry, increasing my chances of employment. Being this “jack of all trades” will increase my chances of being hired by already established studios who are looking for multi skilled employees. One of the big disadvantages i see with this specific University course is the location. Id be required to move from Brixham to Staffordshire, which currently im unsure about doing so as its 200+ miles away from home. I aware that this industry doesn’t have a lot of opportunities available in my local area, with the ‘closest’ jobs (shown on ArtStation) being either in Brighton or Warwickshire and they’re still both around 200 miles away, so far this is the main disadvantage ive noticed when planning out my future after college, whether or not i want to move away this far away.