Your parents might have told you that you wouldn’t get very far playing video games all the time. But a love for video gaming can translate into a fulfilling career. Modeling simulation technicians are responsible for game development plans and game design. If you love gaming and have a talent for design, learn more about what you need to do to become a modeling simulation technician.
1. Earn a High School Diploma or GED
The first step toward becoming a modeling simulation technician and pursuing a career in game development or graphics is to earn a high school diploma or GED. Depending on where you are in your life right now, that can mean finishing up high school if you’re currently enrolled.
If you had to leave school before getting your diploma, for whatever reason, you might consider signing up for GED preparation classes and taking the four tests needed to earn your GED. Earning your diploma or a GED allows you to pursue further education, such as a career certificate program in modeling simulation production or design.
2. Enroll in a Career Certificate Program
Once you have your diploma in hand or are on the path to earning it, explore the career certificate program options available near you. Orange Technical College has two certificate programs in modeling simulation, both of which prepare you for a career in video game design and development.
The modeling simulation design certificate program focuses on the visual elements of gaming, such as creating objects and animations used in video games. The modeling simulation production certificate program focuses on programming languages. You’ll learn C++ and C# to develop simulations.
The certificate programs are offered at our South Campus. Both take about 15 months of full-time study to complete. While in the program, you have a chance to work on projects designing or developing games for educational and military markets.
3. Make Connections
It’s important to have connections to others in your chosen industry, and that’s definitely the case if you want to pursue a career in game development or design. When you enroll in a career certificate program at Orange Technical College, you get access to a variety of game development resources.
Your instructors will not only teach you the skills you need to succeed as a game designer or developer. They’ll also connect you to others in the field, giving you the chance to network and build relationships that can lead to a career.
You also have the chance to connect and work with your peers during your time in a career certificate program. You might hit it off well with others in your cohort, leading to long-term creative partnerships.
4. Get Experience
Whether you want to be a designer or developer, gaining experience is critical to success in the field. You don’t need to have a full-time job as a developer or designer to work on projects or put your skills to the test.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to create games while enrolled in a career certificate program. You can also work on your own projects outside of class time. When you apply for jobs, you can list your projects on your resume, giving a description of what you created and how you went about doing it.
The games you design or develop should become part of your portfolio. You can take your portfolio with you to interviews or create a website that showcases your projects to anyone who might be interested in working with you.
5. Earn Certification and Licensure
In addition to having a portfolio full of exciting projects, earning licensure or certification as a modeling simulation technician demonstrates to potential employers that you know your stuff.
One certification worth pursuing is the National Center for Simulation Modeling and Simulation Certification. To earn the certificate, you need to pass an exam that tests your knowledge of the M&S framework and basic industry standards.
Getting certified, earning a career certificate, building up a portfolio, and making industry connections should be enough to help you get your foot in the door of a rewarding career in the game design and development industry.
To learn more about our modeling simulation production and design certificate programs, contact Orange Technical College today. We’re happy to walk you through the steps to enrollment.
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