A New Beginning
Losing my job at THQ was a devastating experience for me. After interning there for a year on UFC 2009 Undisputed, I failed to secure a then-available game design position which I wanted more than anything. I felt as if they told me that I didn't have what it took to be a professional game designer. While applying for jobs over the course of the next few months, it didn't help that I was either ignored or rejected by more companies than I can remember. I lost confidence in myself and I began to question whether or not I should still pursue my dream of making games for a living.
Then, I was reminded of why I chose this path in the first place; because I refuse to settle for a career that I'm not passionate about. Remembering this, I decided that I could not let myself give up so easily. There will always be people around you that will doubt you, but you should never be the one to sell yourself short. First and foremost, you must be completely honest with yourself. If you can do that and still believe in yourself, then don't let anything stand in your way.
Tomorrow is my first day of classes at SMU Guildhall for what I hope will lead to a masters degree in Digital Game Development and a new job. I hear it's an intense curriculum, but as always I will do my best. Just coming to The Guildhall was a huge step for me in the right direction. I'll leave you with a quote that I try to live by:
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." -Calvin Coolidge