Allie Barlow- GDC Notes

Post date: Mar 20, 2015 12:53:14 AM

Unfortunately I wasn't able to afford anything other than an Expo pass this year, but the experience was still very educational and fruitful.  Rather than talking about talks (since I can't), I'll be giving networking tips.

1. Be yourself-  When I say be yourself, I mean it both in terms of your personality and outward appearance.  You shouldn't start wearing suits just for GDC, and you shouldn't be a big ol' kiss-up.  Professionals are humans like us and they know when we aren't acting natural.  Being yourself is the best thing you can do for yourself because then you will most definitely come off as genuine.  Conversations with prospective employers can happen just based off who you are as a person.  In fact, a conversation with a small game company owner started up just because he came over to comment on how much he liked my phone case (it's a super nerdy phone case with giant angel wings).  If I didn't wear my personality on my sleeve, I would've lost that opportunity to exchange cards and open up a prospective job opportunity.

Moral of this segment.  Be yourself, inside and out!

2. Check out GDC Play-  Over the past 3 years, the career pavilion has gotten worse and worse.  Fewer companies are looking to hire, which means fewer booths in the career pavilion.  Additionally, a lot of those booths don't even have artists there to look at your portfolio.  This is why you should go to GDC play.  It's full of indie studios showing off their games.  You should go there, play their games, get interested in what they are doing, ask about the company, and give them your card in case they are ever looking for an artist in the future.  Many companies there may be too small to have any positions open currently, however, that could change in the future.  

So go and network in the GDC Play section next year!

3. Visit the Ringling booth...A lot-  You should visit the Ringling booth quite a bit throughout your time at GDC.  Not just to refill Ringling's supply of your business cards, but also to network.  You have to partially rely on luck and the possibility of a recruiter stopping by during the time that you are visiting the Ringling booth.  This wasn't a "plan" I arrived to GDC with having in my mind, it was something I learned after connecting with many professionals at that location.  In fact, I have two current job offers from two studios; I met both of these employers when I was standing at the Ringling booth.  So visit the booth!

I'm not saying this method will guarantee a job, but I do believe it increases your chances of making connections.  

In the end, you'll meet employers wherever you go.  Not just at GDC, but at restaurants and bars.  So don't let your artistic introvert side take over.  Get out there, be yourself, and see what happens!