I have been working in the gaming industry for about a year and a half; I’m currently a tools programmer but previously had a couple internships in game programming roles.

I work with teams that design games. Each of those teams has its own set of needs to make their game successful, like different sound design, modeling and other requirements. I support them by improving the tools and systems they use to make their games, programming different features so that it’s easier for them to bring their ideas for games to life.

One of the things I enjoy most about my job is that I’m interacting with others a lot. I love getting to learn through conversation and participating in those back-and-forth discussions allows us to come up with all kinds of cool ideas to make your gaming experience better.

I started playing games when I was young. I loved them so much I decided I wanted to go into the industry of making them, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to be. I got a bachelor’s degree in computer science and master’s in computer science with a game development focus. Studying those fields helped me find a career path that matched my specific interests.

I wish I could go back and say this to my younger self: do some research about the areas you’re interested in and then talk to people in those roles to learn more. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even though you might not feel confident at first - those conversations will be worth it!