It seems that no corner of the galaxy was able to escape the untold power of Disney’s marketing team while we prepared for the release of Episode VII — not even the produce aisle. So if Disney can make fruits and veggies work for the film, what’s stopping them from getting you working, too? In fact, nothing: Star Wars could be the best thing that’s happened to your career in a long, long time.
(Photo Credit: Jason Trbovich/Flickr)
From video game creator to web developer to fitness instructor, the number of careers people have created out of the Star Wars universe is seemingly endless, as a recent post over at Monster.com shows. Sometimes all it takes is some entrepreneurial spirit and a healthy respect for one of the most loyal fan bases in the world.
So what about you? You’re not trying to create a workout regimen for Ewoks, but you still need some cash to get out to Tosche Station on the weekends. Let’s look at some viable careers that you might be able to pursue all thanks to America’s son, George Lucas.
Make the Universe Come to Life: Video Game Designer
Did you know that there are more than 138 Star Wars games on the market, producing more than $3,400,000,000 in revenue? It would seem that video game designers working on Star Wars games aren’t an endangered species in the slightest. Here’s what you can expect when you start applying:
Median Salary: $58,408
Degree Requirements: None (B.S. in Computer Science or Computer Engineering preferred)
Job Duties: Conceptualize, design, and assist in driving the implementation of video games — from animation to user interface.
Desired Skills: Adobe Photoshop, Design, Object Oriented Programming (OOP)
Work for the Real North Pole: Hasbro, Inc.
If you don’t fancy yourself a creative, but you still know how to lead teams and get projects done, you might find yourself helping to create the next iPhone-controlled BB-8 or be the genius behind the drone that looks like a Millennium Falcon.
While there are certainly a number of toy companies who’ve got their hands on Star Wars licenses, Hasbro remains a Death Star among Alderaans, producing 100 new toys for the franchise this year alone. Here’s what you can expect working as a Senior Project Manager:
Median Salary: $116,417
Degree Requirements: N/A (Bachelor’s degree preferred with prior business and commerce experience)
Job Duties: Create roadmaps and definitions to carry about project, collaborate with teams at every stage of development, and lead conversations around market research.
Desired Skills: Strategy/Strategic Marketing, Product Management, Business Strategy
Hand in Your Resume at the Jedi Temple: Be a Real “Jedi”
No, I’m not suggesting you become a Jedi “cast member” at Disneyland (unfortunately all the auditions are closed for that one already). As Monster.com pointed about in another post, there are actually a whole library of positions open to people with Jedi written right into the job title. Most commonly, that seems to be for positions as a software or computer engineer. Here’s what you can expect for the average career working as a software engineer:
Median Salary: $78,669
Degree Requirements: (B.S. in computer science, computer engineering or a related field)
Job Duties: write code for various software applications, test new software, and modify or debug existing applications.
Desired Skills: Python, UNIX, C, Linux, Java & C++
Tell Us What You Think
Are you a Jedi? Are the Jedi real? Please share your stories/career advice in the comments below, or join the conversation on Twitter!
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