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Cameron, Software Engineer at Redemption Games: Advize Career Interview
A journey of self-directed learning and adaptation led this Software Engineer from a non-engineering internship to a fulfilling role at a game studio.
The path involved research assistance, a challenging experience at a large tech firm, and a Master's degree.
Now, as a key contributor at Redemption Games, this individual tackles advanced game board analytics, demonstrates adaptability between programming languages, and enjoys the immediate gratification of seeing work implemented quickly.
Despite facing challenges like constantly learning new technologies, this professional thrives on problem-solving and effective communication, advocating for building a portfolio through personal projects and leveraging university resources.
A key lesson learned involved navigating interpersonal dynamics effectively, and a rigorous undergraduate approach involving a computer science minor while juggling a full course load and a job contributed significantly to career success.
The games industry's ability to combine work with a lifelong passion is a highlight, offering a unique perspective on the field.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Cameron Witz
Software Engineer
Redemption Games
Northwestern University
USC MS computer science
Engineering - Industrial
Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
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Career Path of a Software Engineer at Redemption Games
Cameron's career path, beginning with a non-engineering internship and progressing through research assistance where "that was really where I taught myself programming," highlights a journey of self-directed learning and adaptation. This culminated in a challenging experience at a large tech consulting firm, followed by a Master's degree and a current fulfilling role at a game studio where "I'm very happy with where I ended up," showcasing the importance of perseverance and finding a good fit.
Main Responsibilities of a Software Engineer at Redemption Games
Despite being the most junior member of Redemption Games' engineering team, Cameron has become the "point person" for advanced game board analytics, a critical function connecting technical data to key business decisions. This, along with ad-hoc bug fixing, showcases Cameron's growing responsibility and expertise within the company.
A Day in the Life of a Software Engineer at Redemption Games
At Redemption Games, a small company with a small engineering team, a software engineer's day varies greatly; sometimes it involves "grinding" 12-hour days to meet tight deadlines, while other times it allows for more flexibility, such as midday gym trips, due to the task-based nature of the work. This variability, with "peaks and valleys," is characteristic of the work environment at this particular company.
Most Important Skills for a Software Engineer at Redemption Games
Cameron, a Software Engineer, emphasizes the crucial importance of "the ability to learn and be willing to struggle through things," highlighting a self-taught approach to mastering programming languages like Python. This continuous learning, adapting between languages ("it's just grammar at that point"), is key to their success in the field.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Software Engineer At Redemption Games
Cameron's favorite aspect of being a Software Engineer at Redemption Games is the immediate gratification of seeing their work implemented in the game, "like that day or the next day or the next week," a unique experience absent from previous roles. This allows Cameron to readily share and showcase their accomplishments with friends and others.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Software Engineer At Redemption Games
Cameron's biggest challenge as a junior Software Engineer at Redemption Games is "constantly learning new things" to keep pace with more senior colleagues, yet this is also contributing to Cameron's versatility; they are already working on the game engine, UI, server, and soon analytics, exceeding the scope of most other engineers.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Video Games Industry As A Software Engineer
Cameron's favorite aspect of the games industry is the ability to "play what I'm working on," combining a lifelong passion for video games with professional work. This allows a unique perspective on the industry by playing both their own creations and competitor titles.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Software Engineering Industry, According To A Software Engineer At Redemption Games
Cameron, a Software Engineer at Redemption Games, identifies strong problem-solving skills and effective communication as key traits for success in the software engineering industry, adding that "they're friendly" is also important for teamwork. This highlights the importance of both technical abilities and interpersonal skills in a collaborative work environment.
What a Software Engineer at Redemption Games Learned Before Entering the Video Game Industry
Cameron, a Software Engineer at Redemption Games, found the transition to their current role a significant improvement over previous employment, expressing satisfaction with their work. Cameron stated, "I don't really think there's anything glaring that I'm like, oh, like they got me," highlighting a largely positive experience thus far in the industry.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Software Engineers
For entry-level software engineering roles, Cameron suggests exploring internships at larger companies, building a portfolio through personal projects ("copy people's projects, find tutorials"), and leveraging university resources such as research labs, where "professors" can provide "preferential treatment." The career professional also highlighted the accessibility of reaching out to professors and applying to labs even if not enrolled at the university.
Significant Career Lesson from a Software Engineer at Redemption Games
Cameron's significant career lesson, learned through challenging group projects, centers on discerning when to de-escalate conflict by "leaving it alone," and when to assertively, yet calmly, set boundaries by stating, "this is too far," and expressing what was unacceptable. This ability to navigate interpersonal dynamics, honed in college, proves invaluable in the "real workplace" with its diverse personalities and egos.
College Experiences That Helped A Software Engineer At Redemption Games Succeed
Cameron's approach to undergraduate studies involved "challenging myself more than was necessary," exemplified by pursuing a computer science minor while maintaining a full course load despite having a job lined up. This rigorous academic experience, despite the sacrifices involved, significantly benefited their subsequent career as a Software Engineer.
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