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How would you suggest I go about inquiring about a summer internship with a game design company whose site shows an area to sign up for internships, but doesn't appear to allow outsiders to sign up for them?
I am very interested in connecting with someone from SONY NY to inquire, however I'm not having any luck. I'm currently completing my freshman year of college, majoring in Visual Arts & Technology with a concertation in game design, and feel a game development company would be such great experience for me.
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Fasi Uddin’s Answer
Hi Orion,
It's fantastic that you're thinking about internships early in your college journey. Starting now gives you a great advantage.
If a company's internship page isn't open to outside applicants, it could mean a few things: the program might not be accepting applications yet, it might be restricted to certain schools, or they might use a different recruitment process.
Here's how you can tackle this:
- Regularly check the company's careers or internship page. Some open applications only during specific times.
- See if they recruit through your college’s career center or career fairs. Some internships are managed through university partnerships.
- Look for official recruiting events, portfolio reviews, or campus outreach activities related to the company.
- Apply to multiple studios, not just one. Experience in any game development role can make you a stronger candidate in the future.
Since you're just starting college, focus on gaining experience that will boost your future applications:
- Create small games or design projects for your portfolio.
- Join game jams or collaborate on student projects.
- Get involved in game development clubs or student communities.
- Practice explaining your design decisions clearly.
Remember, big companies like Sony can be very competitive, especially for freshmen. Don't get discouraged if it takes time. Many students start with smaller studios or indie teams before moving to larger companies.
Your strategic thinking about experience and networking is impressive. Keep building your skills and applying consistently—early persistence often leads to success in this industry.
Create small game or design projects for your portfolio
Participate in game jams or collaborative student projects
Join game development clubs or student communities
Practice presenting and explaining your design decisions clearly
It's fantastic that you're thinking about internships early in your college journey. Starting now gives you a great advantage.
If a company's internship page isn't open to outside applicants, it could mean a few things: the program might not be accepting applications yet, it might be restricted to certain schools, or they might use a different recruitment process.
Here's how you can tackle this:
- Regularly check the company's careers or internship page. Some open applications only during specific times.
- See if they recruit through your college’s career center or career fairs. Some internships are managed through university partnerships.
- Look for official recruiting events, portfolio reviews, or campus outreach activities related to the company.
- Apply to multiple studios, not just one. Experience in any game development role can make you a stronger candidate in the future.
Since you're just starting college, focus on gaining experience that will boost your future applications:
- Create small games or design projects for your portfolio.
- Join game jams or collaborate on student projects.
- Get involved in game development clubs or student communities.
- Practice explaining your design decisions clearly.
Remember, big companies like Sony can be very competitive, especially for freshmen. Don't get discouraged if it takes time. Many students start with smaller studios or indie teams before moving to larger companies.
Your strategic thinking about experience and networking is impressive. Keep building your skills and applying consistently—early persistence often leads to success in this industry.
Fasi Uddin recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for the advice, Fasi Uddin.
Orion
Updated
Liam’s Answer
This is going to be one of those "get noticed" questions. Its obvious that the program you want to enter is either for someone who stands out in their eyes or is for someone who knows someone already working there. The entry level for this already is a step above where you are. The good thing is you can stand out first and then try to get noticed.
Make a game. Something that will get popular quickly. Put it out on steam, apple store, google play, wherever you can publish it. Make demos. Don't make a whole game just the demo and try to build yourself from the ground up starting there. Yes my answer is the equivalent of saying "make a grammy award winning song in order to meet a record exec" but that's the way you get in.
The truth is this. You either get into someone else's path, where you enter an existing path someone else made to get to your goal, or you make your own path to the end goal anyways. When there is a coveted entry level position, and the people who own that position know its an easy way for someone to get started in the field, they are only going to want people they like, or they want people that stand out walking in the door. I remember way back when I wanted to work at the guru bar in the apple store. That seemed to me like they were at the top of the food chain for computer technicians. Now, I laugh at the thought. Why did I want it so bad? Because I didn't know what they were doing, it seemed like they were the best of the best, because that position was a club I couldn't get into at the time.
When you pave your own path you will either get the deserved attention for your efforts and get into your program, or you will outgrow your need for an internship. Again, they only want you because they already know and like you, or because you have done something noteworthy already. If you are already making games, demos, promos, whatever and you miss your opportunity with them, does it really matter?!
Make a game. Something that will get popular quickly. Put it out on steam, apple store, google play, wherever you can publish it. Make demos. Don't make a whole game just the demo and try to build yourself from the ground up starting there. Yes my answer is the equivalent of saying "make a grammy award winning song in order to meet a record exec" but that's the way you get in.
The truth is this. You either get into someone else's path, where you enter an existing path someone else made to get to your goal, or you make your own path to the end goal anyways. When there is a coveted entry level position, and the people who own that position know its an easy way for someone to get started in the field, they are only going to want people they like, or they want people that stand out walking in the door. I remember way back when I wanted to work at the guru bar in the apple store. That seemed to me like they were at the top of the food chain for computer technicians. Now, I laugh at the thought. Why did I want it so bad? Because I didn't know what they were doing, it seemed like they were the best of the best, because that position was a club I couldn't get into at the time.
When you pave your own path you will either get the deserved attention for your efforts and get into your program, or you will outgrow your need for an internship. Again, they only want you because they already know and like you, or because you have done something noteworthy already. If you are already making games, demos, promos, whatever and you miss your opportunity with them, does it really matter?!
You rock! This advice is very helpful.
Orion