Thirtysomething, And No Degree

What if I'm thirtysomething - still need a degree?

> From: Justin
> Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 1:39 PM
> Subject: Game Industry Q+A
> I understand that, in order for you to give me the best game career advice suited to my unique situation, the first time I write you, you need to know that...
> My approximate age is: _ 35
> The level of education I've completed is: _ High School
> My occupation (if student, enter 'student') is: _ Telecommunications
> The type of game job I aspire to (if applicable) is: _ Conceptual Artist
> The country I live in is: _ USA
> My game biz question is: _ I noticed that a great deal of advice about breaking into the Game Industry is centered around getting a degree. Without a degree it is almost impossible to get in. I have lucked out I suppose and was hired on with a company that just moved to Las Vegas that is pretty sizeable. I was hired as a Game Tester but with a desire to move into Concept Design and Art. My question is am I doomed to be just a Game Tester due to my lack of degree or can I still ascend in the ranks by putting in hard, quality work? I was told that I was hired primarily for my technical background and leadership experience.
> Thank you,
> Justin A

Hi, Justin. I'm just copying and pasting (with minor modifications) what I wrote to another thirty-something guy on gamedev.net this morning. And I'm definitely going to have to make this an FAQ.

At your age, no degree is going to factor into a hiring decision a great deal.
Focus instead on learning how to do the job you want to do. Then do the job you want to do, and prove you can do it by having a body of work to show.
At your age, a portfolio is much more important than a degree. For the most part, the FAQs message is aimed at high schoolers and college-age aspirants, but a lot of the concepts are applicable to you as well.
The degree is not a necessity for hirers to notice you, since you are 30+ and already have a working background. Your focus needs to be on portfolio-building, not getting a piece of paper. Ask yourself: Will the degree help you make a portfolio?