Where It Began
On December 25th, 1999, when I was 6 years-old, I received my very first game console—a Nintendo 64 with A Bug’s Life and Toy Story 2. From then on, I grew up with and learned to love video games as a story-telling medium. It became my goal to someday also share the excitement and wonder of being able to transport yourself into a living story with others one day, and that’s why I’m now a Game Producer!
​
Starting off learning Game Development during my undergraduate studies at LeTourneau University, I was eager and excited to learn how to make the games I loved! In Winter 2014, I graduated with a Computer Science degree with dual concentrations in Game Development and Network Security, but wasn't yet confident in my ability to contribute as a game programmer. I looked up graduate programs (including SMU Guildhall) and applied to every programming company I could think of. All while learning Python to fill in my scripting language knowledge gap to help interview without having to type "public static void main" every time I went up to a whiteboard.
Two months after graduation and two weeks of phone and on-site interviews later, I was accepted into Apple as an iOS Automation Software Engineer. And yes, there were many Beer Bashes. 🤟 (I got to see Demi Lovato and Lady Gaga 🙀)
Over the course of 7-and-a-half-years, I learned a lot about how to be a good engineer, but more importantly, I learned how to help others and have fun in new and challenging spaces! After the COVID-19 hit, I had 2 years of remote work to start reflecting on where I really wanted to be. I looked back at SMU Guildhall and applied for their graduate program as a Producer to see if I could take on the vital role of helping developers of all disciplines be as productive as they can be.
​After being accepted into Guildhall's Cohort 32 in Fall of 2022, I got to experience the pleasure and hardship that 50 other students had while journeying through a breakneck course to prepare us all for the real world of game development. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard in many ways, and I dearly miss those who didn't finish the journey, but as I continue going forward I find myself anticipating the next growth opportunity to prepare for a future in game development.
Now I help create the experiences that stirred me so deeply as a child, and hope to continue to do so for many years to come.