'I think that a lot of the practice connected to working in an office necessarily comes after studying'
What does your job entail?
'I am a Game designer and digital project manager. I talk with clients, often other businesses, about problems they face or certain questions they have. Based on these interviews, I work together with a team to build, test, and deploy serious games. I design the game framework, write a game storyline and produce the materials we need. This can be a digital game or a physical game. In one game we let you play around with your own unconscious social biases; so for example recruiters can learn how to deal with their own biases and not let them influence their decision making. We also designed an escape room that teaches you some valuable information about a company as part of your onboarding process.'
How did you orientate yourself on the labour market after finishing your study?
'I was already interested in games, literature and learning but did not yet have a specific function in mind. So I started with searching broadly for companies or functions that connected with these interests. During my first job I learned a lot about what I actually like and dislike. After my first job I knew much more about my strengths, weaknesses and interests and this helped me to look for a new job which suited me even better.'
Did you get practical experience during your study?
'For my work I have to conduct interviews with clients in order to find out what problems they are experiencing. I can use the interview methods and skills I learned during my studies for these interviews. When researching a client's needs and problems I also use the analytical skills I developed during studies. I know how to critically reflect on texts that I receive or how to analyze the interviews I have conducted. Knowing how to interpret texts, how to look for meaning in a text and how to write good texts has helped me a lot in writing correct and understandable storylines for clients. Furthermore, I learned how to develop a lesson plan during my studies and I have applied this multiple times in designing workshops. However, I do think that a lot of the practice connected to working in an office necessarily comes after studying.'
Why do you think your Master’s programme is relevant to society?
'Narratives are always important because they frame our understanding of the world. Because I have experience with writing and understanding literature I am able to provide clients with better thought out texts. These narratives in turn help employees to do their jobs better, to communicate better, to understand one another better or to keep safe whilst doing their jobs. Everything is a story and the better the story is told the more potential it has to change someone's life for good.'
Do you have a tip for current students regarding the labour market?
'Think broad when applying. Some conversations or jobs can lead to other opportunities in ways I would never have expected. I became the game curator for a science fiction festival through one chance encounter.'