Preface: This is a multi-part of a series discussing the state of play for a graduate game designer in Sydney. While this series of articles focuses on game design graduates many of the observations and underlining principles are still applicable to other fields and situations.
The situation
Often students ask me for references or endorsements for jobs; this puts me in the disposition of being both mentor and professional.
To be a referee, I need to understand the applicant, the job vacancy, the business, and the industry.
When I go about this task, I first look at my experiences with the student and whether I think they are capable of performing the role. If they are capable I then as ask them for a link to their portfolio. The portfolio is crucial as it is one of the few tools an employer has to gauge the experience, ability, and suitability of a junior candidate.
During this process, I have found many students do not have tangible evidence which would suggest they can do the job for which they have applied. The truth is many have not progressed from the day they have left college; some have even regressed without knowing.
Looking over various portfolio's I see some who have created work using plugin's or tool presets in an attempt to impress an employer as to their ability and experience. If your candidacy is base on a portfolio of deception, then your portfolio most likely will demonstrate nothing of value to an employer. These portfolios are easily seen for what they are and often cast a negative shadow over the candidate.
The other common scenario I see is students that haven’t done anything at all post-college.
So what has happened?
Mind Set
So why do so many students stop learning and stop applying their craft after finishing school?
Apart from the curve balls life can throw at us I have found that in most cases the issues are a mix of attitude, mental state, approach, and truth.
Some students wait for what they feel is owed to them, what they are entitled to, the reward for completing their studies; the reality is they are owed nothing. Other students have no idea where to start or are governed by fear and uncertainty worrying about the future, paralyzed by potential non-existent outcomes. Then there are those torn between visions who without resolution cannot continue their journey effectively.
While many reasons are driving these states for most a more significant underlying issue remains, they are playing a finite game “when I…. I will” which is a result-driven approach. The finite game ends as soon as the result occurs or when it doesn’t occur (Failure state). The reality is for all of us the world is an infinite game, and it is now in the present moment.
What is the infinite game?