Crossroads of my future - Advice would be appreciated - General

Hello Facepunch community, I'm a student in Grade 12 in Vancouver, Canada, and I'm going to be putting in my university applications in the next few weeks/months or so. For the most part, I've wasted my life playing video games instead of doing something more useful (see my xfire/steam page for details). As the title reads, I'm at a crossroads of my life. I have too many choices in my life to make, and not enough time to make them. While FP's community probably doesn't have the expertise in such matters, I think it would interesting to see some different opinions that I might have missed. University and career wise, having probably around 10,000 hours on the computer since 1999, I feel that it would be a waste of my childhood if I don't do something in the computer science/engineering sectors. On the other hand, I'm good in math, physics and chemistry, and I could go into a financial, engineering, or even science based career that would not only make more money potentially, but also increase in value over time (for example, a software engineer needs innovation and creativity which declines over time, while a engineer gains the required experience over time, increasing in value instead of decreasing). I have a 93% average with my top 5 classes, so I can more or less get into every program I want in the Canadian universities. With a lack of interest in the financial sector and careers in researching (science wise), I'm now looking at computer sciences and engineering. Computer science wise, I've mostly looked into game design, which is something that could relate more to me than just programming. Unfortunately, I have little to no experience in programming, and I have little talent in art and design. I've done some research, and I've found that in Canada, our top 2 universities offers a game design major: Mcgill: [url]http://www.cs.mcgill.ca/prospective-students/undergraduate/program-listing#BSC[/url] [quote]Major in Computer Science: Computer Games Option (Official Program Description) This is an exciting new program that is now available![/quote] and University of Toronto: [url]http://web.cs.toronto.edu/program/ugrad/New_Programs/Game_Design.htm[/url] [quote]Video game design combines several disciplines within computer science, including software engineering, graphics, artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction.[/quote] Alternatively, being in Vancouver, I have 2 great options in a non-degree education (both of which looks amazing IMO >.>): Art Institute of Vancouver: [url]http://www.artinstitutes.edu/vancouver/media-arts-602.aspx[/url] [quote]3D Modeling for Animation & Games-Diploma Game Art & Design-Diploma Visual & Game Programming-Diploma[/quote] and Vancouver Film School: [url]http://www.vfs.com/programs/game-design[/url] [quote]The Game Design program at VFS takes you from concept to alpha to beta to final in just one year. You work closely with video game industry mentors in an immersive environment that mirrors that of a professional studio as you design, produce, and present fully playable games.[/quote] (I will probably go to this in 2 months or so: [url]http://www.gamedesignexpo.com/[/url] :D ) It's very hard for me to decide which university/institute will work best for me, as in an university, you have much much more roads you can go down if game design does not work, while an institute will probably teach you much more practical knowledge than an university can, and will probably make job-finding a little easier. On the engineering side of my thoughts, I've looked at electronic engineering (EE), civil engineering, and mechanical engineering. Personally, my dad owns a civil/environmental engineering company, who could help me immensely if I go into civil engineering, but it isn't something I'm too interested in. Mechanical engineering interests me most in the engineering section, but from what I've heard, it is one of the hardest engineering majors to complete. EE on the other hand, is only somewhat interesting, and would be ranked much lower choices wise than the others I've listed above. University of British Columbia apparently has a decent engineering faculty, while University of Waterloo, Toronto, and McGill also have good engineering faculties. I doubt I will have too had of a time getting into the Engineering faculties for UBC, UoT and McGill, but Waterloo might require slightly more effort. In conclusion, I'm pretty much trying to choose between engineering and computer science (game design), while looking for a decent school for each. If anyone has any advice regarding these, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Angus TL;DR version: I'm in Vancouver Canada, trying to choose between computer science (game design) or engineering (mechanical or civil)? Which school? Also, take a look at this will you're at it. [url]http://www.gamedesignexpo.com/[/url] P.S. First thread in GD for me, please tell me if I'm doing anything wrong.

Join the military instead and drive around tanks. Make sure to take pictures.

Hey man ur life is as preciouse as everyone elses remeber you are the key to the future and no matter what a life lived is alife saved

If you're in Vancouver, you should consider going to UBC, they're also highly rated, but you could stay with your parents and could save ~$5k on housing costs. Or, you could come here to Uvic, and go into Computer engineering with me next year.

Go be an engineer my friend. Becoming a gaming producer isn't all what it's made out to be unless you get into a company that really values it's workers.

Be what your heart tells you my friend that is the only way you will be happy. Life is the game you make it.

here's some advice dude. most people don't work in the field they study for. so don't even worry about anything, just do what you love doing. if you study something you don't care about you'll wake up middle-aged and depressed because you wasted your life.

[QUOTE=FacepunchZen;33472487]Hey man ur life is as preciouse as everyone elses remeber you are the key to the future and no matter what a life lived is alife saved[/QUOTE] What a story Mark.

[QUOTE=Librarian;33472622]What a story Mark.[/QUOTE] Fuck dawg the tory is what ist is and whatever it is is better than what its isnt am i right or wrong?

Engineering. Game work is not nearly as awesome as it's made out to be unless you work for like one of five companies on planet earth.

[QUOTE=thisispain;33472613]here's some advice dude. most people don't work in the field they study for. so don't even worry about anything, just do what you love doing. if you study something you don't care about you'll wake up middle-aged and depressed because you wasted your life.[/QUOTE] listen to this guy [b]University is for learning about things you want to learn about, not job training like some want you to believe[/b] study something you enjoy

yeah don't waste money (a lot of money) on taking classes or perusing a major with the hopes that you'll be one of the very few accepted to do work that your degree requires. supposedly almost one in five graduates are unemployed and if you took a lot of student loans you have no job and a shit load of debt that you won't be able to pay. any degree from any community college will be enough for a lot of jobs. going to harvard to study law will just be a huge waste of time if you A, don't like studying law, and B, don't have the connections to do shit with your degree.

I would suggest that you make your hobby (computers/gaming) your job. That way, it won't even really feel like work and you'll love what you do every day.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;33472998]listen to this guy [b]University is for learning about things you want to learn about, not job training like some want you to believe[/b] study something you enjoy[/QUOTE] this this this [editline]28th November 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=EpicPokingStick;33473851]I would suggest that you make your hobby (computers/gaming) your job. That way, it won't even really feel like work and you'll love what you do every day.[/QUOTE] you'll make your job your hobby and alternately your hobby feels like work and you hate what you do every day without the relief of that hobby [editline]28th November 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=thisispain;33473125] any degree from any community college will be enough for a lot of jobs. going to harvard to study law will just be a huge waste of time if you A, don't like studying law, and B, don't have the connections to do shit with your degree.[/QUOTE] B isn't really that significant when you're going to a big name university like that I mean if you can't do shit with your degree you really have to take a look at how hard you worked of course I love in a country where academics actually get paid more than peanuts so maybe that's a bit of a difference

I'm glad I don't have to choose what I want to study yet. There's too many things I enjoy studying to choose just one.

Yeah and don't worry about debt either, it's inevitable either way!

[QUOTE=Contag;33473886] of course I love in a country where academics actually get paid more than peanuts so maybe that's a bit of a difference[/QUOTE] you also live where a part time job at McD's while studying can cover your tuition and living expenses considering all the government grants and shit available for students there [editline]28th November 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Symmetry;33480036]Yeah and don't worry about debt either, it's inevitable either way![/QUOTE] Accrue lots of debt, it disappears when you die thanks for all the money fuckers

Protip: If a course has the word game in it, don't take it, it's probably shit. Just take regular comp. sci.

After what I've heard from people starting out in the game industry I was turned off it [QUOTE=Zeke129;33472998]listen to this guy [b]University is for learning about things you want to learn about, not job training like some want you to believe[/b] study something you enjoy[/QUOTE] idk dude I don't enjoy being unemployed and a degree really helps the resume middle aged and depressed is better than middle aged depressed and homeless really

[QUOTE=fishyfish777;33483578]idk dude I don't enjoy being unemployed and a degree really helps the resume middle aged and depressed is better than middle aged depressed and homeless really[/QUOTE] Obviously an education is more important than no education at all >.> On a side note university wise, I could try for a double major. EE and CS would be an interesting combo.

You don't want to focus on game development. CS has literally thousands of options you could do, and taking one of those programs somewhat limits your options.

Engineers make a lot of money I hear.

Do what perks your interest the most.

Unless Gabe is your uncle and ready to take you at Valve once you've got your diploma. Id say go for engineering.

yeah uh that's not very good advice unless he likes engineering. strong chance when he comes out of school he won't even get a job in engineering.

I am completing my mechanical engineering study this year (University of Rotterdam) and I must say that the math is indeed hard. That being said, I was pretty horrible at math when I got onto this but my average grade for math classes increased from 5/10 to 8/10 over the past few years. Once you get into it, its hard work but not really a problem (especially seeing your grades). Math in EE is about as hard just in a different direction, civil engineering is easier. I would say that my experience with computers really helped in Mechanical engineering. Alot of stuff you do involves a computer like: the calculation and drawing programs. I dont think Game design is a very good education. I dont have first hand experience, but I cant imagine annyone getting a good job from that seeing the sheer ammount of people that do it.You can always expand your 3d modeling skills from engineering programs like Inventor and Solid edge to 3ds max ect if you still want to do modeling for games. Mechanical engineering in Canada is bound to be a bit different from mechanical engineering here but if you want to know more about the content of the Mechanical engineering study feel free to pm me.

do English literature like me and have no future career prospects!

First of all, don't stress. Most students change or drop out of their courses before they finish. I was in a similar situation, and I ended up going with Engineering. My university offers a special first year where you do a subject from each Eng field so you can work out which you like, and in the end I went with Electrical, and later transferred to Mecahtronics (for those that don't know, it's basically a mix of mechanical, electrical, and computer systems). I'm also doing a double degree with Arts, so I'll be starting Japanese language and some bludgey music subjects next year. Truth be told, there really isn't anything that leapt out at me and made me want to study it, I just felt like if I wanted a good job and to make a decent living I had to go to uni. All I really want to do is be a musician, but I've gotta be realistic and do something else in the 99% probability that I can't make a living playing guitar. I really enjoy the course for the most part, I just finished 2nd year. Happy to answer any questions.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;33480833]you also live where a part time job at McD's while studying can cover your tuition and living expenses considering all the government grants and shit available for students there [/QUOTE] Wow Zeke, that's not true at all you don't even have to work! [editline]1st December 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=fishyfish777;33483578] idk dude I don't enjoy being unemployed and a degree really helps the resume[/QUOTE] so make up your qualifications I, for example, have every qualification which does not have a national registry

[QUOTE=TheGuru;33504551]First of all, don't stress. Most students change or drop out of their courses before they finish. I was in a similar situation, and I ended up going with Engineering. My university offers a special first year where you do a subject from each Eng field so you can work out which you like, and in the end I went with Electrical, and later transferred to Mecahtronics (for those that don't know, it's basically a mix of mechanical, electrical, and computer systems). I'm also doing a double degree with Arts, so I'll be starting Japanese language and some bludgey music subjects next year. Truth be told, there really isn't anything that leapt out at me and made me want to study it, I just felt like if I wanted a good job and to make a decent living I had to go to uni. All I really want to do is be a musician, but I've gotta be realistic and do something else in the 99% probability that I can't make a living playing guitar. I really enjoy the course for the most part, I just finished 2nd year. Happy to answer any questions.[/QUOTE] I am trying to graduate in mechanical engineering (minor mechatronics) in the university of Brisbane or Sydney. You happen to go to any of those?