Meandering Medievalist
GAME DEV CAREER GUIDANCE
Do more than create games. Create yourself.
MISSION
The Narrative Design Job Readiness course is a fully remote, self-paced course designed to teach you the skills needed to create a winning portfolio and approachthe job hunt for narrative design positions in the industry! The formula I teach here is the exact formula that I successfully used to grow my career, written out in an easy to follow step-by-step process.
In this course, you’ll learn how to build a portfolio and personal website from scratch, as well as prepare for interviews through narrative design tests designed from real tests used at Bungie, Bethesda, ZeniMax, GearBox, Insomniac, Ubisoft, Riot, and others.
SERVICES
RESUME BUILDING WORKSHOP
Don’t know where to start? I can help you craft a winning resume from scratch!
These sessions are designed to help you build the skills to craft a winning resume on your own, not rely on an editor each time you need to update your profile. In personalized coaching sessions, I will read through your resume and ask your about your goals and background before we meet. In our session, I will go over grammar edits, formatting suggestions, and personalized feedback. Sessions are one hour each.
WRITING, BRANDING, AND PORTFOLIO COACHING
Looking to improve your creative writing, create a presence online with your own personal brand, or refine your narrative design portfolio? These one-on-one sessions are designed to give your the skills you need to break into the writing and gaming industry. Branding skills also apply to other fields.
I provide coaching and editing on writing excerpts— NOT FULL NOVELS. This is a coaching service, not a full editing service. I can provide feedback on portfolio pieces, advice on how to structure portfolios, overarching help on story structure, proofreading, editing, and copyediting. I specialize in fiction and game writing. Sessions are one hour each.
NARRATIVE DESIGN JOB READINESS COURSE
Build the skills you need to get hired at your dream studio. This Level Up! course is a fully remote, self-paced program designed to teach you how to approach the job hunt for narrative design positions in the gaming industry. In this course, you’ll learn how to build a portfolio and personal website from scratch, as well as prepare for interviews through narrative design tests designed from real tests used at Bungie, Bethesda, Blizzard, ZeniMax, GearBox, Insomniac, Riot, and others. Alumni of this course have gone on to work at Playstation, ZeniMax, Bethesda, Obsidian, and Squid Games, Tandemi, and have landed six-figure salaries in their desired fields.
Gabriela, Narrative Designer at Oxide Games
“Three reasons why you should have Zoe be your resume and portfolio coach (regardless of whether or not you’re a new grad looking to get into games or a senior narrative designer with oodles of experience under your belt):
1) Zoe knows her stuff. There are a lot of career coaches out there but Zoe is one of a kind because not only is she part of the gaming industry (and works for Obsidian Entertainment, so she’s got the credentials) but she also came from a background that had nothing to do with gaming and knows what it’s like to start from the slush pile.
2) Zoe knows her stuff AND knows how to explain her stuff. When you work with Zoe, you’re not just mindlessly building a resume or website, you’re working with her to develop critical resume skills that you will always have in your back pocket for the future. Not only that, but she will work with you to build and maintain your personal brand as a game designer. Don’t have a personal brand? Don’t worry, she will help you find patterns in your work to help you build one.
3) Zoe will be your number one cheerleader. Since she’s all about giving you the necessary skills to succeed, you can bet that Zoe will always have your best interest in mind. She is someone who has the skills, heart, and genuine desire to change the gaming industry by opening doors of opportunity for those who are willing to take that first step forward.”