Here’s how to unlock an exciting and fun STEM career
One of the best (and most surprising) things about STEM is how it can lead to a highly creative career. Another STEM perk? It mixes well with your hobbies, passions and other interests. If you’re a gamer, artist or know everything about the latest movies and TV shows, there is a place for you in STEM – and a STEM career in gaming or animation could be the perfect fit.
You could work on mobile, PC and roleplaying games, virtual reality, platformers and more. And besides game studios, you’ll be in demand with other employers too. Gamification is being used in industries like education, health, retail, finance and hospitality for marketing, engagement and training purposes.
Is animation more your lane? If you dream of working on an animated movie or being part of a team that makes the next viral app or game, studying animation after school will help get you there. You could go on to use your tech + art skills to create visuals for games, TV and programs, and work everywhere from the entertainment industry to software publishing and advertising.
Let’s-a-go!
There are so many cool STEM careers in gaming and animation. You could be a:
- 3D artist or modeller
- Animator
- Audio designer
- Character rigger
- Content designer
- Environmental designer
- Game designer
- Game developer
- Game level designer
- Graphic artist or designer
- Graphics programmer
- Quality assurance officer
- Simulation specialist
- Systems designer
- User experience designer
- Visual effects artist
Boost your XP
You can start sharpening your gaming and animation skills while still at high school. Future game developers should check out Scratch, Google for Games, Game Builder Garage and even Super Mario Maker to start getting a feel for how games are put together and what elements you need. Animators might like to get a head start by teaching themselves how to use Adobe Animate, Adobe After Effects and Toon Boom Harmony.
Level up
When it comes to getting a qualification, there are a range of amazing VET and uni options to choose from. To work out the best path for you, have a think about what you’d like to specialise in – that might be 3D animation, programming, design, mobile devices or user experience. Another way to narrow down the options is to think about whether or not you’d like to go to uni, or if TAFE or another vocational school or institute would be a better fit for you.
Get paid to play games
QUT grads Rachel Hempenstall and Oliver Van Dyk landed roles as quality assurance testers at Gameloft in Brisbane after attending a uni networking event. As QA testers, it was their job to try to break games! Still at Gameloft years later, Rachel is now a 3D artist and Oliver is a software engineer. Read more about their study and career paths.
Start your career here
Technology + Gaming & Animation + Study
- Bachelor of Animation, Griffith University
- Bachelor of Creative Technologies – Game Art, Media Design School
- Bachelor of Game Development (Game Design), AIE Institute
- Diploma of 3D Design and Animation, Torrens University
- Diploma of Information Technology (Game Programming), TAFE NSW
- Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects), RMIT
Technology + Gaming & Animation + Jobs
- Animator: $45K–$85K / NZ$43K–NZ$144K
- Video game designer: $48K–$97K / NZ$54K–NZ$80K
- Software developer (games): $52K–$116K / NZ$52K–NZ$101K
A version of this article first appeared in Careers with STEM: Technology 2024. Check out the entire back catalogue of Careers with STEM magazine here.
RELATED:
- Free webinar: Discover the future of tech careers
- Download our free Game Designer and Developer Job Kit
- Tech at TAFE: 6 courses to enrol in
- Creative tech jobs in gaming
- A glossary of gaming gigs
- Got a smartphone? You can help protect the Great Barrier Reef
Main image: Shutterstock / Alexander_Evgenyevich
