Hi everyone!  Like many of you, I've loved games my whole life.  I'm new to the site, but have begun to read the forums for Game Development to try to begin understanding the ins and outs of the industry.  Currently I am going into my Sophomore year of college, majoring in Psychology.  I've enjoyed it and do well, but am very interested in going into Game Development.  I'm enrolled into an Intro to Computer Sciences course and plan to develop a background in programming (minor in computer science).  My dream is to work in a company contributing to game creation as a Behavioral/Cognitive Psychologist; helping to present and explain relevant statistics, cognitive patterns in societies, and behavioral tendencies of gamers.  While having a healthy knowledge in programming in order to understand key principals of game creation.  As a creative and imaginative individual I would love more than anything to work at creating games like Bioshock, which has been a gaming revelation to me and something I really appreciate.  I know I have the motivation to get there, but I need help getting started!!!

Unfortunately, I don't know a ton about computers, the gaming industry or generally where to begin.  I've formulated a small list though, of things I was hoping you all would help me with:

• How the gaming industry works as far as getting up to date with the structural techniques individual companies are using and what companies like to see in their employees
• How to expand my knowledge of computer functioning, acronyms, and programming
• Where to seek out and learn about the steps and models of game creation
• How to stay up to date with gaming in general and gaming culture
• Where to begin connecting with people involved in Game Development (companies, individuals, etc...)

I have a fairly basic level of computer knowledge and gaming so if anyone has ANYTHING at all that could help me then I would really appreciate it.  I've looked into subscribing to magazines (Game Informer), working with Python, setting up meetings with Computer Science professors, browsing for gaming news, and checking out books relevant to the subject, but I don't know what the best sources might be.  

Again if anyone could help with these points or anything at all then that would be great!