n00b

whats up everyone. im looking to start programming on video games. i love games with a passion. i just graduated with honors from ITT Technical Institute with a degree in programming. i am thinking of moving to orlando to attend full sail to get a degree in game design. do you guys have any advice for me as far as what i should concentrate on most in and out of school? any information that you all could give me would be greatly appreciated. also, do you have to work for a game company in order to attend the meetings? just curious. thanks in advance.

jamie