Kind of an odd question...
by SF · in General Discussion · 02/07/2001 (3:45 pm) · 5 replies
Well, this is kind of an odd question but I don't know where else to go. I've got over 5 years experience in software development (for more info check my profile) and I'm interested in getting into the game industry. I'm also planning to enlist in the Marine Corps Reserves within the next 6 months. It's something I've thought about doing for a long time now and I've put it off for too long (while I made the big bucks ;-). Well, my question is: do you think this will adversely affect my chances of ever getting into game development (besides hobby stuff I do on my own)? My main concern is that potential employers will be turned off by the fact that I'll be away one weekend per month, 2 weeks per year (usually in the summer), and potentially for a lot longer (in time of war or national crisis, think Desert Storm). What do you guys at Garage Games think? There's a law that protects reservists from being discriminated against because of their commitment, but I'm being realistic: if someone doesn't want to hire me they could just ignore my job application or tell me I'm not qualified. Any thoughts? And if anyone else here is or has been a reservist while working in the software industry I'd also like to know your experiences. Thanks for your help.
#2
02/07/2001 (7:13 pm)
:-) Well, I'm hoping that people would actually see it as an asset when it comes to military sims and shooters since I would be very familiar with weapons, vehicles, tactics, etc.
#3
02/07/2001 (9:33 pm)
I don't think it's a problem. It's certainly not something that I would worry about if I was hiring someone. I'd be more concerned about their experience, enthusiasm and motivation. If a company was to turn you down solely on that issue, you don't want to work there, because they obviously don't know what they're doing.
#5
05/01/2001 (2:10 pm)
Personaly I think most of the people concerned would see this has somone showing real commitment in their nature, i mean how more commited to something can you be than joining the armed forces, therefor you would show true comitment in any work you carry out in a project. 
Torque 3D Owner Pat Wilson