Max and Maya have their differences but they basically do the same thing. Its right up there with the PC vs Mac war but it boils down to personal preference. I have been in numerous situations where i have seen max , lightwave and maya used to model for games and film at the same studio. Companies have the cash and they want their employees to use whatever it takes to get the job done. They both have their own learning curve and both programs are excellent. Do yourself a favor if youre serious about landing a gig with a gaming or film company. Learn both because chances are you will need to know them. Dont be afraid to be diverse. I started out as an audio engineer at first but i was forced into learning motion graphics and video editing. Dont get caught up in the hype. Learn as much as you can and explore.