I get asked this all the time, so here it is in my own words...
The
following is what worked for me and many others I have spoken to.
Generalizations are made that assume a Silicon Valley location.
Most things will work in any location, but that's where I am most
familiar with, so I've made the assumption of Northern California to
simplify things. Most of the game companies are located there, so
odds are your first job will be there anyway.