Programmed by the Game Developers Conference (GDC), the Game Career Seminar, taking place Friday, March 9 from 10am-4pm at the Moscone Convention Center West in Room 2020, is a one-day program designed for students and individuals interested in learning how to break into the videogame industry.

Attendees will network with industry professionals, meet with HR executives from leading game companies in the Career Pavilion, and most importantly, learn how to get their careers started in the videogame industry.  Top game developers and industry experts will share their perspective and insights. The seminar's five sessions will cover:

• Inside Cryptic Studios: Art, Programming, and Design
• Stay on Top of Your Game: Practical Career Advice from an HR Insider
• Tips & Tricks to Making a Lasting Impression
• How Did You Do it? Three Success Stories
• How to Pitch your Game Idea

All GDC passes provide access to the Game Career Seminar.

 

All sessions will be held in Room 2020, West Hall

Inside Cryptic Studios: Art, Programming, and Design
10:00-10:50 AM

Keynote panel: 
- Jack Emmert, Lead Designer
- Shannon Posniewski, Director of Technology
- Shayne Herrara, Art Director

Overview: The world of videogames is a more diverse one than you might think – it's not just made of programmers and artists. There are also writers, designers, animators, background artists, producers, and more.
This panel session offers unique perspective from the senior executives at Cryptic Studios who will talk about their roles in programming, design, and art and how they work together to create a videogame. Educate yourself and figure out where you might fit in the structure.  The session will end with questions from the audience. 

---

Stay on Top of Your Game: Practical Career Advice from an HR Insider
11:00-11:45 AM

Speaker:
- Fiona Cherbak, Director of Client Relations – Enterprise Talent &
Chair, Development Committee – Women in Games International

Overview: What are the hiring trends in the game industry? What do companies look for in candidates? Learn how to increase your chances of getting your foot in the door and what you can expect from the interview processes. Just as importantly, gain insight into what you should be looking for in a company to make sure it's the right move for you.

---

Tips & Tricks to Making a Lasting Impression
11:45-12:30 PM

Speaker:
- Darius Kazemi

Overview: Effective networking is key to breaking in and staying ahead in the game industry. But networking is more than just schmoozing: it's a valuable way to make lifelong friends and open up new opportunities. In this session, you'll learn how to talk to anyone, how to make yourself memorable in an industry full of memorable people, and how to increase the value of your contacts over time.

---

How Did You Make It?: Three Success Stories
2-2:50 PM

Moderator: Frank Cifaldi, Features Editor, Gamasutra.com
Panelists:
- James Beech, The Guildhall/Sony Online Entertainment
- Tracy Seamster, Game Designer, Sony Online Entertainment
- Michael Sellers, CEO, Online Alchemy

Overview: This panel offers the perspective of three individuals, each with a unique story on how they successfully developed a career in the game industry. 

Beech will discuss his transition from student at The Guildhall to employee at a videogame company, how he adapted to the work environment, demanding managers, teams, work schedules, and deadlines.

Seamster and Sellers will detail why they changed professions and how they did it utilizing their skill set to a career in game design at Sony and as CEO of Online Alchemy, respectively.

---

Pitch your Game Idea
3-3:50pm

Panelists:
- John O'Neill, Director of Business Development, Vicious Engine
- Michael Sellers, CEO, Online Alchemy
- Brandon Sheffield, Features Editor, Game Developer magazine

Overview:  In this session, you'll get a chance to pitch your game idea in two minutes in front of an audience and get expert advice from industry experts. Which ideas will excite your employers or professors? Which will put them to sleep? Learn ways to deliver a successful pitch. This session promises to be a lively exchange of ideas for all those participating!