Volunteer work is a waste of time and you shouldn't do it? Real talk!

Since my spreading the word about the "Dreams and Nightmares" video game volunteer project, many people have been skeptical about this volunteer work I've been talking so much about. Some say it's a perfectly valid option while others say that it's a waste of time. Some have tried to paint the straw-man that volunteer groups don't believe artists' work is worth paying for. What a straw man.

So to answer these questions (that 'professional' artists like you should already know)...

How many years in the games industry do you have?

He doesn't get it. I'm trying to get that experience as someone who is just stepping out of school. I am a recent Full Sail University graduate in 2019 in the Bachelor's of Science Game Art Degree Program. I've only got a few months of volunteer experience, so far. This includes schooling. Scoff all you wish. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Eventually, I would like to get hired on a paid job making assets for games. And most game companies (all I've seen so far) want someone with at least 2 years of real work experience in the field.

But I don't have that experience yet. So now I'm up against a wall. How can I get it if no one will hire me based on my lack of work experience? What can I do to get that experience? What are my options?

It can get pretty frustrating many a time. How does this work, exactly? Because experience is a part of showing an employer that you have what it takes for the job. But I don't have experience because they won't hire me. And if you don't have it, you are less likely to get hired. As a matter of fact, your chances are extremely slim.

So what am I going to do now? Explore my options. And to my luck, I found out about a volunteer group of game creators called the "Christian Game Developers Community": A volunteer Christian Game Developers group with a vision, a group of game programmers, developers, and artists who got together to make video games that reflects Biblical values.

And my step towards breaking into the game industry is working with a team of artists on a volunteer project.

How many games have you worked on?

Two. One was a school project with a group called "Team Reliant" for a practice project called "Torn Souls". I worked on the Golem, Piston, wagon, 2D cave background, and train tracks. You can check it all out on my Artstation page.

The second game I have worked on is a game called "Dreams and Nightmares" with the Christian Game Developers Community. and the other is a real game project that will be published. Here is the progress on this project so far.

How do you make a living off of working for free? Can you eat exposure?

What kind of question is this? No. Of course not. As artists, we all need something to fall back on, especially when we are first starting out. And that often requires us to work jobs that are not necessarily in our field to make the living we need (even sometimes jobs that we don't like) to get to our desired goal. You have to do what you have to do until the door opens for you to be hired in your desired field. That's life. You can't just expect employers to hire you for that job position that you want, right off; with no work experience. Young adults who are either going into college or fresh out of college seem to have this mindset. But that simply isn't the reality of the business world. That is one thing I had to learn, and those are the honest and hard-hitting facts. Life is hard. Life is full of obstacles to overcome. This is the real world, snowflake. Either learn to live in it or melt.

Can you live under experience?

Yes. When you get that experience which is required for the job that you are applying for.

So I've got one on the way so far and it has been good. It’s not finished yet. In progress.

((So it's not successful, considering it's self-run and you can't get artists to do your work for you for free. That's not a job. That's called a passion project.))

This is a huge misunderstanding. I don’t recall ever calling my volunteer work a job. I don't recruit people to work for me. This project isn’t run by me. It’s actually a team of game creators with a vision that got together and wanted to make a game. I’m one of the artists working on this project and spreading the word about it.

And, for the record: just because something is 'incomplete' doesn't mean that it won't be (or hasn't been) successful. All success starts somewhere, get it? We often look at success as a destination rather than a journey. Be proud of every step you take towards your goal. So what is the definition of success? Every person's path is different.

Again, if you don’t want to do volunteer work, that’s all well & good. But doing volunteer work is still a perfectly valid option to gain experience.

There will always be those 'inexperienced' people that will scoff at your 'Volunteer Work':

Ignorant college kids attacked me on Twitter and Reddit for saying that employers want at least 2 years' worth of experience in order to be hired on a professional job and that volunteer work is a legitimate way to gain that experience. And all the while trying to twist my words. Yeah... real mature. 🙄

- Retro Sonya (you can quote me on that)

For all I know this may be some college-aged kids fresh out of high school who have never actually stepped out and tried to get a real job. They have a lot to learn.

I know my dream is powerful: my God given dream! They don't know my life, my struggles, my heart, or motives.

Unlike those of you who spend all day collecting screen shots to post on Twitter and Reddit to rake and shred with venomous claws and bitter scathing words against those who are pursuing their dreams, using their talents, and volunteering for opportunities for experience, I am not going to leave this world with regrets or unrealized dreams.

So instead of trying to do what you believe will bring you success, you wish to bring others down with you using false pretexts to justify your animosity against them for their dreams, and with no apologies? Yes, some of you are that unapologetically awful. But after wasting so much time trying to tear down other artists, and years pass by while you do nothing with your talents; that regret would finally sink in. It's not too late. Don't be left with regrets.

The funny thing is, they had the nerve to complain on social media that I wouldn't hire them. Oh, the irony. Showing these college-aged kids that you need at least some work experience to be hired by most employers is the reality you'll have to face in the world. The cognitive dissidence is at full display here. That's the reality of the business world, whether you want to agree with it or not, snowflakes!

But... but...

(("She doesn't know what she's doing and it's obvious.")) (("She has no 'experience'"))

(("She is trying to justify 'free' labor"))

So... what is your basis behind the said "idiocy"? That: (("Exposure doesn't pay anything to creatives?)) ...while poking fun of someone's "lack of experience"?? That's a double negative. How, in your view; does experience make one more qualified? But you don't see my point? Can't you put two and two together? Because failing to see what I am saying while openly mocking those who are seeking that experience? Now you tell me who the fool is. I'd rather talk to those who know how to use their God-given intelligence. Please learn to use it!

Believe it or not, I'm not stupid. Just as any of you with an online presence, we see the things you whisper and spit behind doors you think you've closed us out of. We see that nonsense! Just as you do, we have eyes in many places. It's not too late to delete your trail of vitriol and say something nice for a change? And actually, learn to be happy for others? Take a Brillo pad to the rust and puss that covers your shut off heart and learn that life isn't forever and that hate has its price, its consequences!

It would be good for you to evict me from living rent free in your head. If an almost middle-aged woman, finally realizing her dreams after working so hard for years to get where she is at; bothers you? We both know that the problem lies with the one who's heart is filled with the hate! So, why not learn to be happy for others? In doing so, you can also become successful! This type of thing should apply to, not just me; but everyone who is successful. We're all human. We're all flawed. We all make mistakes and we learn! And we all deserve second chances, kindness, and the benefit of the doubt. And if you were to see me, in the next few years; become a game entrepreneur or the CEO of next big video game company coming out of the woodworks, would you still say the things you've been saying?

One a side note:

I know who I am, and I know who I belong to. And that God of mine has me under his protection. #HisChosen

Update: Here is my basis behind the low I.Q. argument!

Cheers to all those who tried to tell me that I shouldn't be taken seriously because I have "no experience" while trying to convince me and others that exposure doesn't pay anything to creatives. Well... I love proving the naysayers wrong. I've got an already published game on Steam I participated in, and it's been successful! It's always the sweetest revenge! And I have more coming, so watch as I become even more successful! God bless you!

Do these people actually know what they are talking about? No! Of course, they don't! They don't know that I'm a Full Sail University Graduate in the Bachelors of Science Game Art Degree Program. They don't know all the years of hard work I've poured out to become a part of the 3D modeling game business. They don't know about the games I've worked on so far.

Don't tell me what I know. Because I will prove you wrong! Because you have already proven, publicly; that you don't have a real job, you are a hater of those who are successful, a hater of those who have great potential, are a gossiper, a spreader of fake news, and a scoffer. You have shown your refusal to take good sound advice from others who have been there. I only said the truth. Nothing less.

Misrepresenting others' motives.... and here I question: "What is wrong with these people? Why are they attacking me?" I've had people that don't even know me say the most disrespectful things about me or try to shame me publicly for the whole world to see. Whatever it takes to see another artist fail, right? Anything to step all over someone else for their dreams, right?

Anyone else been there? Anyone of you ever asked this question? Here is the real reason why they hate you. They are afraid of your potential. That's why. And people hate what they fear.

See more at: "The Real Reason Why They Hate You".

I see how they also mocked Christians and people of faith in this thread bashing me. Well, what do you know? It's obvious where they stand. The powers that be, the devils that are; will always mock those who speak the truth. And those who hate the truth will go along with it.

I'll clue you in on one thing. They won't.

Slander is a tool of the losers!

Here is my critique for you: You know... the time that you are spending whining about people who won't hire you on twitter or reddit, and the time you are spending putting down those involved in volunteer projects, why don't you go fill out some job applications? If you want a paid job, go apply for an actual paid job. Go fill out some applications.

Maybe then you will realize that I'm not as crazy as you thought. You try getting a job straight away out of high school or college with no previous work experience or qualifications in that particular field you are applying for and see how well that works out for you.

How do I get that experience to be hired if they won't hire me?

It goes back to the original point.

Get out there and get the connections that you need. You can't get that experience for those jobs you want by complaining about people who won't hire you on Twitter or Reddit. You can't get that experience by sitting around your house all day on social media. You need to go out and earn those relationships, do volunteer work if needs, experience the highs and lows of the medium. Get employed by jobs that may be related to what desired field you are going for. Push yourself towards your career goal.

I'll consider that your assumptions about people's intentions may have caused you to misunderstand the message I was presenting. You are angry because employers won't hire you. And I can only wonder why?

I don't mean to sound like your grandmother, but...

Many young people seem to think that just because they have a degree in their hands (or can do art) that automatically qualifies them for that top-notch management job. This simply isn't the business world's way of looking at things.

See this piece of paper? I earned it from going to school. I'm a graduate of the Bachelor's of Game Art Degree Program at Full Sail University. Does this make someone qualified? Ha ha ha ha! Not unless you know how to market yourself to an employer, it doesn't. One hard lesson I learned.

All these college kids who think I'm crazy for saying this have no idea. This (in and of itself) will not land you that top-notch job you are complaining that no one will hire you for! Yeah, maybe in your fantasy. But that's just not the reality of the business world. Not in most cases.

After all, why should they hire someone like you, with no previous hands-on work experience; over someone else with two to five years of work experience in the field?

You've got to have something to show for that piece of paper.

Don't like that? Start your own business. Or would you rather spend time on Twitter and Reddit whining about people who are choosing a valid option that is right for them? This attitude of entitlement won't get you anywhere. The world doesn't owe you anything. Work hard. Get that degree. Get that experience the employer is asking for. Get that certification or learn a new skill. An employer doesn't need your stamp of approval to hire you. He decides what the requirements are, not you. He decides whether or not you are hired, not you.

I can only imagine a self-entitled smug and overly confident young artist who is just stepping out into the world, who thinks he knows it all but doesn't have a clue how to get his foot in the door.

This kid will find out the hard way, in this case.

Keep talking trash. I'll put the peddle to the metal and let you watch as I become successful.

Why I chose to do volunteer work:

I put in my job hunt. I tweaked my resume. I polished my LinkedIn profile, I did my research on the game companies currently hiring, and even brushed up on my interview skills, the skills I gained from school, my knowledge of the software I needed for those jobs. Yet I found myself hitting a wall.

The moment I found out about an opportunity to participate in a volunteer project, I was excited to become a part of something that I can show employers in the future. Yes, volunteering can have many benefits! And I'll tell you why.

Now, before you scoff at me, saying:

((Either pay the artists or do it yourself. There is no in-between.))

((If you have no money to produce the game to pay professionals to work on it, you'll never have a method to market the work and thus there's no experience there. Please stop pretending that "experience" pays anything to creatives.))

Congrats! You finally have a sound argument against volunteer work. And I see how you are trying to divert from the actual point I made to make another point (by putting up a straw-man). And only to miss the point. And that is: volunteer work is a valid option for work experience.

There is no defined path to employment or success. For all I know these are 25-year-old college kids who may well have found themselves at the right place at the right time, like many of today's child stars. Not being unrealistic here. Just saying not everything can be solved through education or volunteer work, but you'll most likely learn from this thing we call life and your teacher will be you, I know this is pretty deep stuff!

Well... what do you know. It comes as no surprise.

These think-tankers who "know it all" and want to think for everyone else will have all the answers, right?

To these think-tankers who are just stepping out into the world and believe success is only one defined cut and dry path: It's not a black and white issue. I'll happily take your constructive criticism, but saying that volunteer work is a bad idea is not sound advice.

People can only learn from their own mistakes. Sure, you don't need to do volunteer work to make those mistakes, but for some that are aloof about the future it helps them develop character, and that can benefit those who are unsure of what they want in life. It allows them to explore their dream without barriers such as "Qualifications".

I could only imagine that there are those who are just starting out who are following your advice saying to themselves, "Hey maybe this is some real advice I can take" only to be met with unclear opinions.

And for some people that may be the only way they will be able to gain the work experience they need to market themselves to an employer and land themselves that dream job. This is more than just an opportunity to make a difference in the world, but it can also have a major impact on your professional reputation as well.

What are the benefits of volunteer work?

Still scoffing at what I am saying? Here are five ways volunteer work has benefitted me, and how it can also benefit you and your future career, written by Kat Boogaard:

1. It Looks Good on Your Resume

Let’s start with the most obvious one first. If there’s one point that you can’t refute, it’s that volunteer work looks great on your resume. After all, when’s the last time you heard someone complain about a person being too helpful and community-minded? Probably never.

I’m sure that the skills listed on your resume are nothing short of impressive. But, when you’re willing to use those competencies to help with a deserving cause—even when there’s really nothing in it for you? That makes you look not only qualified, but conscientious.

2. It Presents an Opportunity to Meet New People

No, networking doesn’t just need to be done on LinkedIn or at a formal networking event. And, it definitely doesn’t need to be forced, uncomfortable, and filled with awkward pauses. So, this is where volunteering comes in. It’s an easy and completely natural way to meet some new connections in your area.

Generally, volunteer opportunities have a pretty friendly, low-pressure environment. This means that you can have genuine, engaging conversations with people who share your interests—without that awkward air of expectations. Chances are, you’ll make more meaningful connections doing this than you ever have around the appetizer table at a networking event.

3. It Helps You Determine Your Career Goals

Donating your time to volunteer is also a great way to gather information and find out a little bit more about what exactly you’re looking for in regards to your career. Perhaps you’ve always worked for a large company and are curious about what life is like with a smaller nonprofit. Or maybe you’re itching to find out a little bit more about what it’s like to work in a startup environment.

Beyond company size, volunteering is also an effective way to discover other important tidbits about how you function. Do you like working independently, or as part of a team? Do you enjoy getting your hands dirty, or do you prefer to do the coordination and administrative tasks? Does working with a certain type of organization make you feel especially inspired and fulfilled?

Volunteering presents a non-threatening opportunity for you to figure all of that stuff out. And, that information is undoubtedly valuable when determining your next career move.

4. It Allows You to Develop and Refine New Skills

You’ve mastered your current position. And while it’s great to feel confident and secure in your job, that doesn’t mean you want to be completely done trying and experiencing new things.

When you volunteer, you can try your hand at tons of different skills and challenges, without any threat to your reputation or current job standing. Whether you’ve always wanted to dip your toes into the world of coding or you’ve been meaning to learn a little bit more about marketing, you should have no trouble finding a volunteer opportunity that allows you to do so.

Plus, I don’t need to tell you that volunteering is also an effective way to polish your teamwork skills—which is a quality that virtually every employer looks for!

5. It Helps You To Become More Confident

An expanded network. Increased knowledge. Improved skills. They all help you to present yourself as a more impressive and well-rounded candidate. And, strolling into an interview feeling qualified and competent? Well, it’s a pretty nice boost to your confidence.

Plus, your experiences also give you a few different talking points to answer some of those common interview questions. Not only can you provide details on your various skills, but you can also share how you applied them in a real-world setting while simultaneously benefitting your community—which makes you look even more amazing.

So, keep these benefits in mind and get out there and do something! You won’t regret it.

You can check out the full article here along with some other great stuff!

Conclusion:

Why not actually spend your time researching the things you will find helpful such as jobs that may interest you, look at the requirements and try to become that person detailed in the job advert and MAYBE you'll get that job of your dreams, discover what your life is worth and find happiness, because sitting here listening to "You shoulds" or "You shouldn'ts" aren't going to get you anywhere. Just do it! Make your dreams come true.

Check out the already published game on Steam here!

Also, view the boss monster that I created for this game!

I love proving my haters wrong... and being an artist!

If you like what I do, please feel free to subscribe to the mailing list below. Don't miss a thing!

Also read: God will bless you right in front of those who rejected you!

Don't let others decide you you are!

Full Sail University Graduate 🎓 3D/2D Artist 🎨#SingerSongWriter 🎤 EDM Producer 🎹 Faith & Heritage 🏰 Member of Christian Game Developers Community ✝️ @CGDCNews