Got myself a new job....bit of a dilemma though

Steedie

Steedie

Steedie

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Hey guys

I know this is a problem I have to try and work out myself, but a little guidance from people who have been there would be greatly appreciated

I've just graduated having studied Computer Games Development, I did this not because it seemed an easy course (it most certainly wasnt an easy course lol) but because ever since I was about 6 I've wanted to make games

Graduated with a first and straight away with that under my belt, got on with looking for jobs and building a portfolio, I had a couple of interviews before I graduated but with no grade etc it didnt really go far. Anyway while I was looking, I signed up for a temping agency just to keep the money coming in as I had maxed out my overdraft so literally had no money and hated borrowing off my dad.
A couple of weeks later I got a call saying I was being offered a job from that agency. It was a factory job, working 7-7 on 4 day shifts, so tough 4 days on but a nice 4 days off, and it pays 17k a year and close to home, which is great for me as I can live at home and can build up some money. It also pays weekly

So I've been there just over a month now, I hate it, its very dull and everyone feels the same, but hey, its money right? But today I get a call from a company I applied to a while ago and I've been offered a new job. As a games developer...

Fantastic news, I'm thrilled and shaking with excitement I really am, but it's just hit me. The job pays a bit less than my current temp job, which isnt too much of a problem, but the problem lies in that its in Cambridge, which means I will have to relocate.

Obviously this means that the money suddenly has to go on things like renting my own place, bills, food etc, and considering its a little less than what I'm on now , I can see me struggling a bit

Trouble is, until I get some experience under my belt, I'm going to be have to take these lower paid jobs (there are some graduate games dev jobs around 18-20k but they seem really difficult to get as EVERYONE goes for them), but at the same time, ir does seem a bit risky just to dive straight in when I'm just in the process of getting myself financially stable again with this job. But then again, this job could sack me just like that being a temp then I'm left looking for a new job that could pay even less again, so...

So what I need help with from you guys, is do I follow my head, which tells me it is probably a bad idea and build up some money first, then next year when I'm back on my feet pursue a better job then. Or, do I follow my heart, and take the sort of job I've been wanting all my life, get my foot in the door of the industry and get some crucial experience, and the prospects at this company are quite good I must admit, and just live a little rough for a year.

I have until next week to decide, which I appreciate is quite a long time, but any early advice I can get to help me would be great

Many thanks in advance
 
Mate, i would go for it and relocate. There should be plenty of cheap housing in cambridge thanks to the uni's so you might even be able to slum it with some smelly tax dodgers. :D

Good work and i hope you ch-ch-choose well!
 
Hmm you are between a rock and a hard place. Could you afford to relocate?

Personally I'd stay at home and build up some money and use that for a deposit for a house or flat wherever in the UK you find an IT job. That might make you quite attractive to a potential employer; the fact that you'd be willing to relocate.

However I can understand if you want to get into your chosen industry asap. But you're young so this won't be the last chance or even perhaps the best job offer.

Good luck with whatever you decide. :)
 
I graduated 3 years ago and work in a bookshop on just over minimum wage.

Take the games developer job be poor for a few months/a year get experience in the job you have wanted to do all your life and don't fritter it away doing mundane jobs that you will hate, even if you do have an extra few pounds a week.

You need experience so go get it, in a few years you will have a career not a job.
 
Go for the job, see if you cant house share, get experience in the field you want to work in, make games, eventually earn mega bucks !!!!!!!
 
Mate, Cambridge is a really nice part of the country - there are much worse places to re-locate to!
 
Thanks for the quick replies guys :)

MarcLister said:
Hmm you are between a rock and a hard place. Could you afford to relocate?
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I could probably afford to rent a place, like leaskovski said, its a student city so could find some cheap student housing

But its just I'll be really hard up there, and probably skimming the limits of my overdraft like I was doing the last 3 years at uni.

It's just is that years experience worth the tough year living? My heart says it is
 
Steedie said:
Thanks for the quick replies guys :)



I could probably afford to rent a place, like leaskovski said, its a student city so could find some cheap student housing

But its just I'll be really hard up there, and probably skimming the limits of my overdraft like I was doing the last 3 years at uni.

It's just is that years experience worth the tough year living? My heart says it is
Click to expand...
Sounds like its worth it then. Seems like your heart has made a decision but is having problems communicating with your brain! :p
 
Steedie said:
Thanks for the quick replies guys :)



I could probably afford to rent a place, like leaskovski said, its a student city so could find some cheap student housing

But its just I'll be really hard up there, and probably skimming the limits of my overdraft like I was doing the last 3 years at uni.

It's just is that years experience worth the tough year living? My heart says it is
Click to expand...

I know someone when she finished her course in optometry did a year in Cambridge at £6k for the year. She survived, and the second year she was on £28k.

You have to look further ahead, after a year's experience, you can get a much better salary and better jobs even.
 
MarcLister said:
Sounds like its worth it then. Seems like your heart has made a decision but is having problems communicating with your brain! :p
Click to expand...

Hehe yeah certainly seems that way :p

But really appreciate your replies guys, it certainly seems to be the case of follow your heart

But wow ^^ 6k for the year, my hat goes off to her for surviving on that and sticking it through, certainly paid off for her though :)
 
Deffo go for the games job! Its a very tough industry to get into, few ppl i hear of get in without going through the very low wage game testing route. Seems like u've worked very hard and deserve every bit of success, remember work to live, not live to work

Gd luck mate
 
Relocate in a heart beat mate! Rent a room in a house, budget well and it will be no problem.

You will regret it if you don't do it!
 
Do it. It's the first rung on a long ladder. If you don't take the opportunity that has presented itself and keep your crappy dead-end factory job, making that move into the career you want will only get harder as time passes.

Take the job. relocate even if it means living like a pauper for a while then, with a year's experience under your belt, things will be very different.
 
Have to agree with the majority here, it sounds like the sort of opportunity you may regret not taking if you decide to pass on it. Relocating is obviously not ideal but in the long run i think getting to do what you really want to do for a living will be worth the upheaval/sacrifice :) .
 
Can't say I've researched it but I'd imagine that newbie Games Dev jobs don't crop up all over the country so the chances are you would need to relocate anyway.

From what you have said I'm guessing the new job is starting on £15-16k. I would have thought that's OK to get by on (~£1k/month takehome) if renting something not too special. Could be a good foot in the door and many people (degree or not) enter industry at a similar level.
 
go for it....

next year when you are looking for a job they will ask why you waited a year which everyone knows is an age in computers get in there well done.

Look for flat shares in the area huge uni so sharing shouldn't be much of a problem.

I'd never give up the dream just for money, wait until you are married mortage and kids then you'll know what stuck really is ;)
 
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