"How do I get your job?"

It's a question that any game journalist should be familiar with, and one that's not trivial to answer. Sure, it's easy enough to recite your personal career path (In my case, fansite editor to college paper reviewer to game media critic to blogger and freelancer). But there are so many ways into this business that looking at just one journalist's experience for guidance is a little myopic. What's more, talking to a variety of game journalists reveals some pretty big disagreements out there over exactly what it takes to make it in this business.

One thing most all game journalists agree on is the primary importance of knowing how to write well and quickly. "All the video game experience in the world doesn't mean jack if you can't put a decent sentence together," said (Harrisburg, Pa.) Patriot-News columnist Chris Mautner. "Being able to write coherently and effectively is worth more than your prowess at Counter-Strike."

What's less agreed upon is the importance of formal education in developing those skills. CNN/Money's Chris Morris (who is about to join Yahoo! Finance) said that "the best way to learn [how to craft a story] is to study English or journalism in college." Destructoid's Robert Summa also recommended that potential game journalists "get out of college with an English or journalism degree."

But others don't see a college degree as an absolute requirement. IGN Editor-in-Chief Peer Schneider contends that a journalism degree is "a plus, but not as essential as a firm knowledge of -- and passion for -- the subject matter itself." Wired Magazine Associate Editor Chris Baker agreed that "you can still break into journalism without a journalism degree" by educating yourself about the ethical and professional standards of the industry.

Other journalists found that a non-journalism education helped them stand out from the crowd. "My knowledge of history and systems means that I can bring insights to the table that could bring a review or interview to life if I have the leeway to do so," said freelancer Troy Goodfellow, who holds a PhD in political science.

Some journalists found that getting their foot in the door depended on luck as much as education or skill. Freelancer Tim Stevens said he got his first job writing Saturn reviews for a web site partly because "nobody else had bothered to buy the console." EGM editor Crispin Boyer said he got his first job at the magazine because he was lucky enough to stumble across an ad for a job opening while waiting to cover a health department meeting for his local paper.

Others think that luck has nothing to do with it. "I don't believe in luck. I do believe in working hard and taking advantage of opportunities when they present themselves," said Gamasutra Podcast Executive Producer Tom Kim. "I believe that the recognition in the field is still ...somewhat of a meritocracy. The game journalists who work to be relevant, incisive, and entertaining will continue to maintain or grow their audience."

Lucky or not, once you do stumble across that first gig, it can be easier to get further work. "It's harder to get that first bite than it is to get nibbles afterwards," Goodfellow said. "Editors like to know that they have a stable [person] they can rely on, and if you don't screw up whatever chance they give you, there's a good chance of it leading to future work."

Or maybe it actually gets harder after your big break. "There are too many people today who assume that getting the job is the hard part," said CNN's Morris. "There are writing gigs around, but if you don't know how to craft a story or how to listen and follow-up on questions, you won't get another assignment from that outlet."