Web Content & Game Editor

I knew my career would involve words. And technology. Acadia provided training and experience in both. My first job was in the soon-to-be-mothballed computer lab at Acadia. Next came student assistant jobs, then an instructional designer position with the Acadia Institute for Teaching and Technology, and eventually a position with the Public Affairs office to write the history of Acadia’s ubiquitous computing program. My path led me to Toronto, where I applied for a position as a writer at a little-known online game called Webkinz World in 2006. I’ve been with them since, and freelance as a pen-and-paper role-playing game editor.

I was an undeclared major my first year, but it was soon clear that the English department was where I belonged. I enjoyed literary analysis, but I also loved creative writing—I took every available class and contributed to estuary. My favorite class was an editing course, which had a much greater impact on my career path than I would have thought. My greatest regret was dropping out of Honours so I could graduate early, but when the opportunity arose, I returned. I wrote a novella to satisfy my Creative Writing thesis requirement, honed my editing skills on the department newsletter, and submitted to estuary once more.

So why English? Clear and effective communication is useful to any job, but critical thinking and analysis are essential for translating creative concepts into design documents, or ensuring the internal consistency of game mechanics. Add some creative muscle, and you have the perfect mix of skills for just about any new media job. The rest is up to you.