International Women's Day 2023
Today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day! It’s a day meant to commemorate women’s achievements and for others to be inspired by their skills and words of wisdom.
To celebrate, we’re highlighting some of the incredible women working at Beamdog. We hope you’ll take a moment to get to know these ladies, to learn about themselves, their advice on how women can support each other, and on how to succeed in the gaming industry.
KATHERINE D’ASTOUS
Associate Brand Manager
How long have you been working at Beamdog?
7 months
How can women in games support each other?
Listening, praising, and uplifting each other’s ideas and passions is a big one. Being there for one another will help break the feeling of imposter syndrome creeping in. Feeling supported and empowered helps to feel like the sky's the limit for what we can achieve.
What is your proudest achievement during your career?
I am very proud that I took a management position just a few years working in this industry. I love helping people grow, bringing ideas to life, and finding the fun during calm or busy times.
What advice would you give to other women interested in pursuing a career within the gaming industry?
Go for it! If you see a job position that interests you and you don’t meet all of the qualifications - still apply for the job. You’d be surprised how many of your skills from previous workplaces are transferable and you can use them to shine in your interviews. Also to not be afraid to take risks - it gives you so many more opportunities to help you grow and to meet new people!
JILL HOLLETT
Graphic Artist
How long have you been working at Beamdog?
Collectively, just over a year. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to Intern at Beamdog twice before I got my permanent role here in May 2022.
How can women in games support each other?
Look out for each other! I know it used to be more of a competition among women in the industry but in 2023, girls support girls! There’s plenty of roles for everyone and when fellow women succeed, so do we!
What got you into gaming?
My siblings were a lot older than me, so I spent a ton of time with my gamecube as a kid haha. I’ve had a life-long love for art and puzzles, so gaming was a natural progression as it combines all of my favorite things.
What advice would you give to other women interested in pursuing a career within the gaming industry?
Just jump in and give it a try! It can be intimidating, and there will always be more classes to take, more portfolio pieces to make, etc. However, the most important thing is to be passionate about what you do and chase your goals. I’ve found that grit and optimism are the most important archetypes of a career in a creative field.
SARA CZERWONKA
Associate UX Designer
How long have you been working at Beamdog?
About 9 months.
What is your proudest achievement during your career?
Getting here at all! I have wanted to pursue a career in video games since my childhood, and I worked really hard to make that dream a reality. I’m really proud of the things that I get to work on every day, but letting it sink in on my first day was a special moment.
Is there anyone that inspires you in your career?
Celia Hodent. I think she has done a great job of bridging the gap between UX principles and game design and making it accessible to people in the industry from all types of educational and professional backgrounds. I have learned a lot from her publications.
What advice would you give to other women interested in pursuing a career within the gaming industry?
Be resilient. Think of rejection and failure as an opportunity to learn, improve, and come back stronger. It can be difficult to stay motivated when nobody is answering your calls, but stick with it and you will land somewhere great.
Maria Louie
Brand Director
How long have you been working at Beamdog?
I will have been at Beamdog 2 years this July
How can women in games support each other?
Listen, share, and speak up. Thankfully there are increasingly more studios that do not tolerate a less-than-equal work environment, but let’s face it - many still do and we all have different experiences. So when we do these fabulous meetups and conventions, let’s make sure we support each other and make space for others to talk about their experiences and support in any way we can.
What is your proudest achievement during your career?
I’m most proud of having my 3 kids and a thriving career in the games industry - and that wasn’t an easy thing to do. Too often we’re forced to make a decision between the career we want and the family we want.
What advice would you give to other women interested in pursuing a career within the gaming industry?
For other women interested in a career in gaming, I would tell them to show how passionate they are about games and to unapologetically be themselves. Be confident about who you are and speak your mind. The amazing thing about the games industry is that people are more appreciated for being their genuine self and it often helps you meet others and build your support network.
KARA BROWN
Human Resources Director
How long have you been working at Beamdog?
Almost 5 years. Time flies!
How can women in games support each other?
We can support each other by being an ally to each other as well as to other marginalized groups. Continuing to highlight and campaign for Diversity and equity in the workplace is important as we see the game industry grow.
What got you into gaming?
I was a total nerd as a kid, I've always loved the escapism of a good book, the adventure of a great RPG game and the community of a fun multiplayer game experience.
What advice would you give to other women interested in pursuing a career within the gaming industry?
Start networking, having a community of other women around you that support each other in their endeavors is so impactful in your career growth.
GLENNA SCHOWALTER
Associate Narrative Designer
How long have you been working at Beamdog?
I’ve been at Beamdog for just over ten months.
What got you into gaming?
I only had a PC growing up, so my choices in games were limited. I started with Reader Rabbit and the Cluefinders games that came in the Scholastic Book Orders. My friend had an N64 and let me play Ocarina of Time when I was visiting. That opened up a whole new world to me. Here we are, an indistinct number of years later, and I still love video games, especially the Legend of Zelda series.
I’m also a big tabletop nerd, which is where my love of storytelling gets to shine. I played my first game of D&D at age twelve, but I only really got into the tabletop world in my twenties. Some of my favorite games include Slugblaster, Wanderhome, and Apothecaria.
What is your proudest achievement during your career?
The best feeling as a writer is when people like your work. I was sitting in on a recording session for one of our voice actors and she read a line that I wrote that got the whole room laughing. It was complete validation.
Is there anyone that inspires you in your career?
Aabria Iyengar is a fantastic game master, podcaster, and writer. She weaves intricate, beautiful stories that still have lots of room for lighthearted moments. She’s funny, smart, and gets to work with other incredible creators. Not to mention her makeup and fashion is always flawless.
MELISSA KUZ
Accounting Clerk
How long have you been working at Beamdog?
One year
How can women in games support each other?
Celebrate each other’s successes and accomplishments. Encourage each other in our career goals. Create a positive environment that all women feel good being a part of.
What got you into gaming?
I have so many good memories of playing various games with my sister growing up. I love being part of an industry that makes life fun for people.
What is your proudest achievement during your career?
Making the Mythforce Victoria costume displayed in the Beamdog office!
What advice would you give to other women interested in pursuing a career within the gaming industry?
The gaming industry needs your voice and perspectives! Be proud of the skills you can bring to the table and find ways to show off what you can do!
CHONG CHEN
VFX Artist
How long have you been working at Beamdog?
I joined Beamdog in February 2023.
How can women in games support each other?
Amplifying each other's voices is one way to support each other, like highlighting other women's contributions, sharing each other's content on social media, or collaborating on projects.
Is there anyone that inspires you in your career?
My mother, a woman of great courage and strength, constantly inspires me. Her example has taught me that I can achieve anything I set my mind to and that there are no limits to what I can accomplish.
What advice would you give other women interested in pursuing a career within the gaming industry?
Dream big, turn your dreams into small goals, and achieve them one by one. It may feel painful when you face difficulties. But every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow, and with persistence, dedication, and self-belief, you can achieve great things in the gaming industry (I also say this to myself).
LAURA UKRAINEC
Game Developer
How long have you been working at Beamdog?
I just started at Beamdog a couple of weeks ago.
How can women in games support each other?
One great thing about modern times is that gaming isn't entirely male-dominated anymore. More and more women are entering the field every year, so we're able to help each other navigate the industry. Things like support groups, meet-ups, and game nights are all different ways that women can connect with each other. It's a lot easier to enter a STEM field when you know you aren't alone! The simple act of gaining a network of people who are in the same boat as you are can do wonders for your mental state as well.
What is your proudest achievement during your career?
I've had a relatively short career, but my proudest moment would have to be the first time I was in charge of writing an entire system. I had the idea and set up meetings with the relevant people, who were pretty impressed and gave me the green light without any changes. I was brand new at the time, and this was the first time I'd felt accomplished. This definitely helped a bit with the imposter syndrome as well!
What advice would you give other women interested in pursuing a career within the gaming industry?
As a woman in gaming, I've heard my fair share of criticism. Certain people seem to think that I don't have the right chromosomes to even play video games, let alone write code for them! But you know what? That's their problem. I'm out here having a fantastic time and that's what matters to me. It's hard to ignore people that believe women don't belong here, but my advice is to continue working hard and let your work speak for itself. Take pride in what you do and it will show!
JESSIE OBACZ
Recruiter
How long have you been working at Beamdog?
since June 6 2022
How can women in games support each other?
This can be a hard question. Often the focus is on fair pay, fairly considering women for promotions, which are all great initiatives, but are often above the individual contributor level. I think a big way to support one another would be to celebrate wins and accomplishments, which both helps to elevate your peers, but also helps to ensure your peers are receiving credit for their hard work. What I found really helpful was when someone helped to petition a perspective I had but was maybe a bit too fearful to suggest it directly and then encouraged me in private to continue offering suggestions!
Is there anyone that inspires you in your career?
A close friend, Heather Staimpel. We met in World of Warcraft and she's been my feral dps mentor ever since! Seeing her chase after her dreams against all odds and then watching her grow and excel to the point where she's a trusted expert in the industry was inspiring! She also fosters a positive, inclusive, and wholesome gaming community, many members I now consider lifelong friends. At a time of deep uncertainty, Heather helped convince me to try again at games. Thank you for being such a positive influence on my life!
What advice would you give to other women interested in pursuing a career within the gaming industry?
Games are a human expression through the sharing of art, perspective, technical expertise and pure emotion through a cohesive experience. Your experience and perspective matters. You belong here.
GILLIAN EHMAN
Game Developer
How long have you been working at Beamdog?
I've been working here for about 9 months.
How can women in games support each other?
To be there for each other and offer suggestions and tips on how to succeed. Giving guidance or learning opportunities whenever possible is always helpful to refine one's skill set.
What is your proudest achievement during your career?
I have many proud accomplishments while working at Beamdog, but I think my best achievement so far has been helping out with and creating controller integration within menus. It was something I didn't give much thought to before I entered the industry, and now I know it is not an easy feat. I gained a whole new appreciation to those that work on input sensing, and I have learned much from the experience.
What advice would you give to other women interested in pursuing a career within the gaming industry?
Put your best foot out there and don't be afraid to be you. Experiment with engines and create your own works to put out there. Sharing examples of your creativity and what you are capable of is one of the best ways to catch interest!
KAREN HO
Environment Artist
How long have you been working at Beamdog?
About half a year now!
What got you into gaming?
My first exposure to games was on the SNES, I was barely 10 and I played a bunch of different genre games. I always thought of gaming as something you tap in and tap out to help pass time. That was until I discovered RPGs, I was amazed that I could take part in an intricately crafted story as a player. I learned a lot from playing through RPGs, fully immersed in watching characters grow into their better/worse versions. The major take away was learning new concepts and philosophies, it was like reading but with more interaction and beating up magical beasts.
What advice would you give to other women interested in pursuing a career within the gaming industry?
- If you know what you want to do, go for it, put in the 110%, 10000 hours, what have you.
- If you're an artist, work on your personal projects! Do what you want to do, and keep tabs on what other people in the industry are doing.
- Don't get tunnel vision! You may have a specific goal, but there are infinite ways to get there. Your first task in the industry might not be what you imagined, but it's a stepping stone.
- There will absolutely be obstacles to discourage you, but try your best to convert the negative energies into a fuel to achieve your goals.
- Be kind! The industry is small and words travel fast. You also don't know what other people's circumstances are.
Sydney Pallister
Combat & AI Programmer
How long have you been working at Beamdog?
9 months
What got you into gaming?
My family, we've always played games together. The first ever game I got seriously invested in was actually Metroid Prime when I was a younger in the early 2000s. A huge factor in this was actually because it was an action sci-fi game with a female player character, which I hadn't come across yet. It's definitely what lead me further down the path of games.
How can women in games support each other?
I would say by reaching out and making connections with each other within the field, being good advocates for each other in conversations in the workplace, and continuing to advocate to bring new women into the field.
What advice would you give to other women interested in pursuing a career within the gaming industry?
If it's what you want, keep pursuing it. Don't underestimate your abilities or be hesitant to apply for positions in the field.
