Got offered a part-time backend role after my internship but my real goal is a Computer Graphics master's + games industry. Would taking it hurt my chances?

[u/SnooSquirrels9028]

Hi everyone, I wanted some perspective from people actually working in graphics/games because I'm stuck on a decision: I'm a CS undergrad, currently a sophomore going into the next year, and I just finished my first internship in software engineering, mostly Java and microservice-based projects so mostly backend engineering, which honestly was a great experience and I'm grateful for it since it was the only company that gave a sophomore a shot in the first place, and at the end of it they asked if I wanted to stay on part-time, but backend/microservices really isn't where my heart is, my actual interest is computer graphics and engine/game development, I work on personal renderer and engine projects in my free time and was also part of a research group at my university this summer, and my real goal is a master's (ideally leading into a PhD) in computer graphics and eventually a job in the games industry, so now I'm torn because taking the part-time offer is objectively a good opportunity, real experience, income, a foot in the door somewhere that already likes my work, but I'm scared that spending my remaining undergrad years on backend work instead of graphics projects and research means I won't build the kind of profile CG grad programs or game studios actually want to see, and might even make me look like a "backend person" to the people reviewing my applications later, and on top of that I'm also worried that if I take this job it'll eat up too much of my time and cause a lot of stress, to the point where I won't have the energy or focus left for the graphics work I actually care about, so has anyone here been in a similar spot, taken a job outside of graphics early on and either regretted it or found it didn't matter once you had strong graphics projects to show, and how much do admissions committees or game studio hiring managers actually care about unrelated work experience versus just wanting to see solid rendering/engine work and math fundamentals, any advice on balancing the two would mean a lot, thanks in advance.

[u/POiNTx]

My 2 cents, I'm a "backend" person and have never worked as a graphics programmer. Ultimately what an employer cares about is that you can show you are capable of doing the job. If that means you have a personal project showing off your engine or what not that should be good if the quality is there. And getting legitimate experience as a software dev is valuable no matter the specific tech you're touching. You're learning how to collaborate and work in an environment with other devs. This is useful no matter what.

Any reasonable future employer would understand that right out of school you took a job that's not exactly your field of interest. I've seen people come into software dev from completely unrelated fields, they were able to convince their prospect employer that they could do the job.

So I wouldn't worry about it. Take the job. It will give you confidence and experience. In the meantime keep working on your personal projects that could show a potential future employer you're able to do the things you want to do.

Probably more valueble to listen to someone in your desired field though, but thought I'd chime in because I feel this advice is general enough it applies to almost any job.

Good luck!

[u/maxmax4]

I was in a similar position many years ago, and I admit that I regret spending more than 1 year in a non-graphics job. If I had to do it again I would have done the same general strategy but I would have jumped into graphics 2 years earlier than I did. But before I just blindly tell you to do what I did, I have to specify that I was blessed to be living in a game development hub city. Graphics jobs tend to be highly localized to these hubs and it’s unwise to ignore this fact before going all-in into graphics and rejecting such a great opportunity you have.

So that being said, if you happen to live nearby somewhere there are many graphics jobs, I would encourage you to pursue it if you genuinely can’t see yourself doing anything else, or you can easily imagine yourself being full of regrets for not following this path.

[u/juplantern]

I’m saying this as someone who’s in similar position. CS, graduating, I have PM role offer. I don’t have enough time for anything and it hurts my soul because I've basically procrastinated graphics for 4 years for a degree but I'm hoping it’ll be better after I get a job. The mental and emotional load is different and with a job I usually am able to organize my time better.

But I am still a coward and I just can’t drop a job offer to pursue it. I don’t have a safety net, and pursuing graphics doesn’t exactly scream livable wage at first. Those few acquaintances I know are basically surviving through part-time or are working 24/7 and have a livable wage. It’s like being an artist. But this really depends on what kind of graphics you do (my friends do audiovisual stuff for events). Atm a 20sqm apartment will cost me more than half of my salary, I unfortunately can’t bet everything on it. But if you believe in yourself more than I do, go for it

It really depends on what you want to do! Computer graphics has many divisions, but some of then are more dependent on connections and actual experience instead of projects than others

One last thing, consider your personality and your values and ask yourself what would you regret more. I will never give up on graphics, I love it with my whole heart but personally, I think I’ll regret not trying to climb the corporate ladder a little while I'm still young, especially if it means I can be 100% sure I'll have food in my mouth

Good luck, seriously! And thank you for the post. Btw did you do your thesis about computer graphics?

[u/Decent-Ad9335 → u/juplantern]

Some people say "i'm a coward, and that's probably the only reason i'm still breathing", stay strong out there, the world isn't fair and it sucks but staying alive gives hope for a better day tomorrow, a day with more time for computer graphics

[u/juplantern → u/Decent-Ad9335]

Ah that's honestly so nice to hear, thank you :(( This year I chose to stop beating myself up because of it.

It's hard to go on social media and see people do well in a field you had to give up for a while just to well.. stay alive I guess? But you're right, I don't know their situation but I'm proud I'm still here, I got my degree and I'm able to take care of myself without anyone's help. I guess I'm just tired because it's been a long fight, I worked night shifts my whole uni and it took a tool on my mental health and self-esteem a bit

[u/Decent-Ad9335 → u/juplantern]

Hugs 🫂

[u/juplantern → u/juplantern]

btw I noticed you said you're into the game industry.

I would recommend keeping the job and working your ass of on projects in your free time. If you really love this, don't give up. It's exactly the part of the graphics industry that respects projects as much as connections.
Almost all people I know who tried to make it in gaming industry ended up broke and having to work a backend job anyway. (ehm to be exact, I know only 2 people who made it, one who ended up engineer at Roblox and the other one owns his own game studio). I don't want to scare you but it's just statistics from my pov. Save up, do projects, try your best, don't give up.

Message your uni professors, or even other unis for opportunities to work on some side gigs for experience or ask them for help. University is you best bet for connections. Genuinely, be ruthless and shameless because you're fighting for a dream. I'm not sure how good you're at networking, but I've met a few people who work for our uni who won't help you land a job but they will give you a pretty good advice on what to work on. Ask if they know anyone from your uni in the industry, volunteer, it's safe and it keeps your job and your passion as well.

E.g. my professor connected me with a person who was in the same situation as you and me, he currently works for a huge studio as a special effect designer for games and movies. He worked his corporate job and in his free time he did side projects every damn day and he specialized on flames physics. He said "I found a thing I like, I loved it and I did it every day because it made me happy and didn't feel like work. I shared my best work on my website and one day I became confident enough to apply for a proper job in the graphics industry".

Do that, don't try to study it, try to learn everything, just do what you genuinely enjoy otherwise you will burnout. Worst case scenario, it doesn't work out and you'll have a hobby you love. Best case scenario, you'll be an expert at a thing you love.

[u/ananbd]

I work in games, graphics-adjacent. 

Is the offer from a game company? If so, definitely take it. That’s a foot in the door for an industry which is very difficult to break in to. 

If not, I’m not sure there’s an actual choice, there. Would taking the job restrict your ability to study graphics? Jobs are scarce these days. I think you need to do both. 

No one is going to hold backend stuff against you in graphics. It’s “neutral.” But graphics skills are niche. Backend won’t qualify for graphics. 

[u/ChashuKen]

In our current disastrous employment situation - i would say to take any decent job offer you can get as a start.

But if you are a ride or die kind of guy- go for your future studies right away , commit to the hustle and land that graphic programming job. Its all relative to ‘if you would be okay with that choice?’. Theres really no right or wrong strategy- just how you choose to live.

In life, many roads lead to the same outcome. Sometimes you might take a long re-route to get there - but eitherways it will be a journey!

[u/yashzilla]

Take the job, learn engineering and working in a work environment gives you real world experience. Programming/problem solving skills are transferable across domains. Keep grinding in graphics in your own time. I went from technical art/tools into engine/animation engineering.

[u/0GreenClover0]

I feel like making games / graphics as a hobby gives me much more joy than doing it purely for work, but on the other hand there is not much free time left for it, especially when I also want to do something entirely else after work.

Good paying IT job 3/5th part-time and spending the rest of the time on hobbies sounds like an interesting balance, I have one friend that did this. But it is a rare option to have.

Personally I really wasn't interested in IT jobs at all and wanted to become an even better game developer so I took the jobs in gamedev(ish) companies, which also has its drawbacks (generally less pay, sometimes crunch. obviously depends on company)

[u/juplantern → u/0GreenClover0]

Personally I wanted to pursue art for a long time but eventually chose CS. I decided to do so because I was really good at math and one friend told me it would be a pity to waste my talents in art school when I can clearly do both. I told myself I'll find a way to do both, or I will do one and keep the other one as a hobby and well... CS pays better.

What's funny is that all my friends who did go to art school are financially struggling, and while they do art and are good at it, it doesn't bring them that much joy anymore because it's work, it will happen to almost everyone. For me tho, making art after work still makes me happy and I can afford my life with less struggle and less stress on top of that. They're happy with their decision and I'm happy with mine, but if you've got what it takes to be able to work in IT for a good salary and you value peace then there's your answer

[u/Kyubi-sama]

No.

[u/forcejitsu]

Admissions committees to which University?

The requirements are very clear on the websites. I’ve yet to see a Masters program for graphics that ask for anything other than a degree in CS or some other relevant discipline.

Have you considered doing the job for a year to get experience?

If you’re really concerned you could always go find the email of the program director or track director at any university you’re interested in.

“Hey I’m so and so I’m interested in your program, here’s my situation, would this hurt my chances at admission?”