By Lisa Baertlein

LOS ANGELES, Nov 30 (Reuters Life!) - Think a job in the video game business will involve shooting monsters and taking on virtual missions all day, every day? Think again.

David Hodgson, an author of "Paid to Play: An Insider's Guide to Video Games Careers," says the hours are long, deadlines strict, the work can be monotonous and, in the case of programmers, the pay starts at around $50,000 a year -- below that of other high-tech industries.

"It's not like working in the industry is sitting around playing video games," said Hodgson, a long-time video game journalist, who penned the book with author and game designer Bryan Stratton and career counselor Alice Rush.

The good news is that jobs can be creative, varied and rewarding and there are as many video game careers as there are ways of breaking into the business.

"There are multiple paths, which is the best news around," said Hodgson, who gathered information for his book from 100 industry insiders with careers ranging from testing, design and sound to publishing, management, journalism, retail and professional gaming.

Hodgson said the first requirement is to know yourself. The book gives aspiring game makers the tools for self-assessment.

"I would recommend people look at what their strengths are," Hodgson said in a telephone interview.

Programmers, for example, require a specific set of skills and may benefit from a college education, with video game specific college programs cropping up faster than innocent victims in "Grand Theft Auto."

"It's a calling you have to have. They are much more interested in the enthusiasm first, but the credentials are important."

If you don't have the money or the desire to go to college, a home-brewed game, a witty blog, clever and spot-on game reviews, or a successful track record in game testing are all ways to get a foot in the door.

Many people make their start in testing but the work can be grinding. It's low paid -- around the same as donning a headset and working the window at a fast-food establishment. It can also be mind-numbing as it is not unusual to play the same game or even the same level for months until it's bug free.

But it can be a stepping stone.

"If you do it and you don't complain, and you prove yourself finding a bunch of bugs, you can get your foot in the door," Hodgson said.

His advice for the wannabe game profession -- network, don't burn bridges and persevere.

"You get where you are through a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work," he said.