Name: Un Emery Jo Scalliwag
Course: Gaming & Esports Industry Essentials

I enrolled in Gaming & Esports Industry Essentials so I could…
follow my passion of writing and acquire a job in the field of work I love

Where are you working now?
Teacher and Producer on Skillshare.

Why did you think the course was right for you when you enrolled?
It was an online course about my true passion: Video game development.

How did the course prepare you for working in the gaming and esports industry?
As a Non-Binary person with health issues, it prepared me for what I may expect in regards to possible bigotry, but also solutions and support. I think this is important if I want to pursue my passion. I appreciate the course being honest in this regard and not trying to hide the uglier side of the industry. It also showed me how complex game designing and the industry has become. Games are a labour of love, but always worth it.

How did the partnership with FIT for Gaming and Esports Industry Essentials affect your choice to take the program?
I wouldn’t say it really affected my choice, though I hope to use it for any extra help in getting a job in the industry.

What is your biggest takeaway from this program?
Learning the process and changes in the industry, as well as just how fundamental video games are in human history today.

What assignment, course, and/or instructor sticks out in your mind or taught you something valuable?
The design document course. I used an old video game idea I had in my head for a while and put it on paper. It made me see that I could make it a reality. Now, I’m using the document to make the actual game!

What would you say to a friend about Gaming and Esports Industry Essentials?
That it’s worth looking into, even if someone may just plan on taking it to learn more about the industry.

Has your experience in Gaming and Esports Industry Essentials impacted your career at all yet, and if so, how?
I believe that it’s been a great help in me realizing that this IS where I want a career in. I’m an excellent writer and I love making the world a more fun place! I hope to use my experiences here to get the job I know I can get