We recently spoke with Seyed Nasrollahi, who is currently just one month into the Game Programmer Level 7 apprenticeship. After noticing a skill level difference in his workplace, UnifiQ, compared to his brother who has a background in computer science, Seyed is already feeling much more confident in the gaming industry, with around two years still left to go.
Here is what he said about his experience.
Can you tell us about your background?
I’m currently working as a game developer but that can mean anything. I work on animations, visual effects, and project management, and I do some programming but usually nothing intensive. That’s the area that I want to get better at, because the programming of a game is what makes the game actually happen, so I think that if I upskill in that area, I can help out much more.
I studied Physics at college, and then after graduating I started a tech venture with a friend that didn’t work out. I then moved on and started another venture with my brother, which is in the gaming industry.
We’re currently working on a project for a game, and I came across the Game Programmer Level 7 apprenticeship, which I thought was very cool. It had everything that I needed to know to become a confident game programmer so I applied for it.
I’ve had a bit of exposure to programming and coding in general due to my role, but nothing to the level of what I’m learning now. Everything that I knew previously was sort of self-taught, so I feel like I’m getting the proper training needed.
How did you come across the apprenticeship?
I had some good relationships with the people at Into Games. I saw that the CEO posted something about it on LinkedIn so I got in touch with them and learnt more about it. They connected me to Kaplan and also the people that help with the funding for it. And then yeah, I guess it all just happened.
“An apprenticeship means that I don’t have to pay anything myself and I can still work while learning.”
So, if we compare it to university, did the fact that this was an apprenticeship sell it more to you at all?
Yes, I wouldn’t have the time to go to university, and I don’t have the money for that. So as an apprenticeship, that means that I don’t have to pay anything myself and I can still work while learning. So definitely, the fact that this is an apprenticeship was a huge selling point.
Is this helping you on your games venture with your brother?
Absolutely, that’s exactly the kind of thing that we’re doing. My brother was the main programmer and I felt that I couldn’t help as I wasn’t at his level of programming. He has a computing degree, but now I feel like I’m catching up. So, it does make me feel much better about what we’re working on.
What are you looking to gain from this apprenticeship?
Mostly, I want to be very confident as a game programmer. I don’t want to worry about, for example, getting a job elsewhere. I don’t want to worry about getting turned down because I’m not experienced or knowledgeable enough.
Also, it will help me with the project that I’m working on at the moment. So, it’s giving me more contributions that I can commit to a project and the company. I guess what I want to get out of it is just becoming a kickass game programmer.
You’ve learnt a lot by yourself, but does having that formal training give you this confidence?
Absolutely, and because we are a small cohort of people, the tutor spends a lot of time with each of us which means that I get to ask a lot of questions. I’ll get them to look over my code and they’ll give a lot of feedback.
I don’t think that I could have had this in any other setting. Because, for example at university, the lecturer doesn’t have the time to sit down with you. But here, there are only a few of us. The tutor spends a lot of time with everyone.
He also definitely knows his stuff. He’ll take a glance at your code, and will know exactly what you’re doing. It’s like he’s a chess master, you know? When they don’t need to take the time to think, they’re already ahead.
In a way, it’s like I’m getting one-to-one tutoring, and it’s technically free which is fantastic. The tutor is very, very knowledgeable and extremely experienced so I think if they taught me in a private setting, they could easily charge around £200 per hour.
Has it been more challenging than expected?
It is a very intensive one. We had lessons almost every day so I think, in total, there were around 17 days of lessons. But it’s been better than I expected. We’ve covered a lot of topics that I didn’t expect to do in such a short time. The quality of teaching is excellent and the core structure is really good. And, as I said, there is a small cohort so we get a lot of time individually and then we will work together as a team on group projects.
C++ is one of the most challenging programming languages, so it is a difficult topic. Therefore, I wouldn’t say that it’s an easy course. But again, the tutor has done a fantastic job of teaching a challenging course.
Would you recommend an apprenticeship?
Yes, I think that for the right people, it’s a great thing because they get to learn and work at the same time, and they don’t need to pay for the education. I’d definitely recommend the Game Programmer apprenticeship as I know how good it is.
Is there anything that you’d like to add?
I do wish that the apprenticeship was more advertised because it is really good. The games industry is very big. It’s bigger than film and music, and the UK is one of the strongest countries developing games. So, I wish that there were more things like this and for more people to know about it.
“Everyone that comes out of the programme in Sweden usually becomes one of the best game developers in the world. I think that it’s really great that this is probably the closest thing that the UK has to that programme.”
For example, Sweden has this programme through The Game Assembly. Yet they are also delivering this apprenticeship. Everyone that comes out of the programme in Sweden usually becomes one of the best game developers in the world. Companies would do anything to hire someone from there. And their course is around two and a half years. So, I think that it’s really great that this is probably the closest thing that the UK has to that programme. I’m excited to see how it evolves.
Want to know more?
Our Game Programmer Level 7 Apprenticeship is one of the UK’s best ways to venture into the gaming industry.
We have exclusively partnered with industry giants, Into Games and The Game Assembly, leveraging our joint expertise. The Game Assembly are one of the best schools in the world for game development and design, and Kaplan is the first training provider to deliver this apprenticeship.
If you want to upskill your workforce, get in touch with our team.