Caption: Daniel Tolley, who graduated from RLC in 2015, has made a career creating and working on video games. He currently works as a Software Tester for Epic Games.
INA, Ill. (Dec. 8, 2020)
You won’t make any money playing video games? Daniel Tolley is one exception to that old adage on a growing list.
You won’t make any money playing video games? Daniel Tolley is one exception to that old adage on a growing list.
The 2015 Rend Lake College graduate works as a Software Tester for Epic Games. A lot of that work involves testing the storefront for the highly successful company, which has developed popular titles such as Fortnite, Unreal, Gears of War and Infinity Blade. But sometimes that means actually playing those games to make sure everything is functional.
“For about an hour of our day, we sit and play Fortnite,†Tolley said.
His path into the video game industry was a little unconventional. The Christopher native did not pursue a bachelor’s degree or higher in any computers or information technology field.
“I kind of got my start from home,†he said.
His first official job in IT came as a student worker at RLC. He finished his Associate in Applied Science in Computer Programming degree in 2015. He also worked as a software engineer and IT administrator for Natural Enrichment Industries for a couple of years after graduating. The college experience was a helpful addition to his resumé, but Tolley had been acquiring skills as a computer technician and developer for most of his life working from home.
That is where he put the work in developing his own products, which Tolley said is an important step when showing tech companies what you are capable of. He said having advanced degrees may be a huge benefit and the work experience outside the classroom can capture the tech companies’ attention.
“From what I’ve learned in software engineering and app development, the best thing to do is have a portfolio,†he said. “Start showing companies what you can do… it’s the person who can do the work and show they can do the work that’s going to get the job.â€
“It’s something I’m passionate about. It’s what I want to do,†he said.
That initiative is the main advice Tolley had for anyone else looking to pursue a career in app development. He said networking and showing you can be a team player are important steps, but the best action you can take is creating on your own and building a portfolio.
“Just make stuff. Even if it is little games,†he said. “Just get it out there.â€
For anyone interested in pursuing a career in computer programming or IT systems, Rend Lake has a variety of degrees or certificates available. Head to
rlc.edu to get started or contact the Applied Science and Technology Division at (618) 437-5321 Ext. 1261 or
AppliedScience@rlc.edu.
{loadposition like-share}
