31–40 of 86 posts
If you're at a university that allows undergraduate research I suggest trying it at least for a semester. Undergrads at my university got to work on really cool stuff like finding water on Mars, and the bar to join is often just expressing interest and the willingness to put in time Research is often more self-directed than what you get from classes and will teach you a lot I'd also suggest extending your time in sch…
From a career perspective, programming skill is relatively easy to come by. Programming AND speaking AND good writing will put you on a better career path. You won't get stuck after a job or two when you know the tools of the trade but not how to handle things outside the compiler.
But also, just as a person who has to make it in this world, it's good to have more ways of understanding people and systems around you. Humanities students are enriched by taking science and math classes, and getting a new way of seeing things. Technical undergrads who learn to tolerate ambiguity and learn some history are rounder humans.
Take risks: tackle projects and subjects where you might not succeed. They are FAR more important to your future than getting super-high marks.
Spend time practicing clear communications. Take a class where a professor guides you in the art of writing clearly and compellingly. If you have the chance, take a class in clear and compelling speaking. Read at least some of Aristotle's Rhetoric. Close friendships help with this: you'll have fun in the time-honored tradition of students' friendly debates in taverns.
If you go into the electronic games industry, do so with your eyes open. The talent pool for that industry is broad and very shallow -- many gaming fans hope to create games. The executives know that, and they shamelessly exploit it. If you go into gaming you want to end up an executive, not just another burned-out developer. (Successful executives communicate very well.)
Sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll are good, but not if they take over your whole life. So, be careful and don't forget that alcohol is addictive.
Above all, have fun doing what you love.
Find ways to connect to your professors. Many are deep experts in their domain. Talk to them in office hours, ask questions in class, read their work, engage.
Find ways to connect to your peers. Talk to the people in your classes. Find things you have in common. Hidden among them all are the few you would call best friend, if only you knew them. Get to know as many as you can.
Find ways to connect to the material (outside of classes). You will of course learn what is put in front of you. But what about the rest? Find other textbooks and materials. Do other projects. Immerse yourself in the field you are studying.
So, put simply, connect.
What doesn’t exist yet that you desperately want to exist? Spend your time on that.
Here is a good example of taking a big picture view:
Modern Artificial Intelligence 1980s-2021 and Beyond
But here's my advice:
- Apply to internships/co-ops early and often.
- Develop your social network with the other students in your classes.
- Don't focus on grades beyond what's required to pass your classes.
- DO focus on learning how to be a good programmer by doing side projects and programming constantly.
- If there are programming competitions at your school take part in them. (hackathons, etc.)
- Have a social life, go out to parties, have fun with friends, try to get a significant other.
Go to professor's office hours. I was always so shocked when I showed up to office hours and I was the only one there almost every time. You can literally have 1-on-1 time with an expert and nobody takes advantage of it.
Another advantage of office hours is that you don't want to look like you're unprepared, so preparing some questions to ask is actually really good practice to hone in on what your gaps in knowledge are.
Anyway Carmack gave some advice about getting into AAA game studios in a 2009 interview. Solid advice I'd say.