If I would try to give tips, it would be to keep it simple and snappy. The GUI is not supposed to be a show with bells and whistles by itself. Try to make it blend with the game in such a way that the player hardly notice it's there. Look at as many games as possible and compare the GUI design and see what you think works and not. I think for example the menu atmosphere and navigation in Mirror's Edge is amazing. Lol. I'm such a GUI nerd.
A lot of commercial games, if not most, have their GUI made in Flash, so that might be worth looking into if you decide look for GUI jobs.
I know nothing about engine programming othar than that they use C++ for it.
Good luck with your studies and your carrer!
If I would try to give tips, it would be to keep it simple and snappy. The GUI is not supposed to be a show with bells and whistles by itself. Try to make it blend with the game in such a way that the player hardly notice it's there. Look at as many games as possible and compare the GUI design and see what you think works and not. I think for example the menu atmosphere and navigation in Mirror's Edge is amazing. Lol. I'm such a GUI nerd.