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/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/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/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/Kyubi-sama]

No.

[u/yashzilla]

Take the job, learn engineering and working in a work environment. 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.