Why do games matter \u2014 and why do you matter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGames have the global reach and impact to connect with people on a personal level, and be our catalyst for change,\u201d Olebe said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the global games industry surpassing 3 billion players<\/a>, the games we create can tell more unique stories that resonate with more people. In the United States alone, we\u2019ve seen the wider community rally to support the refugees of the war in Ukraine, social justice, mental health, Pride, trans rights and women\u2019s rights. And while there\u2019s a long way to go before the industry is an equitable space, every day more voices join the chorus and progress gains more ground. Each one of those stories is another rallying cry.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Google Play initiative, Change The Game<\/a>, aims to support and empower women as game players and creators, to improve representation in the mobile gaming world, and create purposeful change in the industry. The team conducts research, such as an upcoming whitepaper that dives into the intersectionality of women mobile players in the U.S. The program also fosters youth engagement, partners with forward-thinking organizations and spotlights stories of success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, industry leaders like Momo Pixel<\/a> have re-defined who a game designer is and can be, and what games can do for equity and belonging. Florent Maurin<\/a> is helping to lift the voices of the marginalized and disenfranchised as one of the designers of the Google Play Indie Games contest winner Bury Me My Love<\/a>, which tells the story of Syrian refugees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat I think Momo and Florent have in common is the ability to inspire the world around them \u2014 to think differently and make the world a better place,\u201d Olebe said. \u201cThis is what the games industry can do, what we can all do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#WeArePlay<\/a> also celebrates the stories of people building apps and games businesses on Google Play around the world. Olebe is inspired by creative minds like Alyssa and Yvonne<\/a> who are hoping to leave behind a legacy \u2014 and hopes every person in the room and watching virtually has the opportunity to create meaningful change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He noted that change isn\u2019t about doing everything; it is about doing something. Doing anything. Making a difference, and bringing people in, not pushing them out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRemember, you do have what it takes,\u201d he said. \u201cYou ARE awesome. I believe in you and y\u2019all need to believe in each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to win scholarships and grow your professional community: advice from an expert<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLater, Careen Yapp spoke with a recent Generation Google Scholarship winner, Sope Olusegun-Lartey<\/a>, to share first-person insights into the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Generation Google Scholarship was established to help aspiring students pursue degrees in tech, and become leaders in the industry,\u201d Yapp explained. \u201cThe scholarship for women in gaming is awarded based on the strength of each candidate\u2019s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, a demonstration of their leadership skills, and academic performance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Olusegun-Lartey, a games brand relations intern and student at Drexel University, offers crucial advice for other students aspiring to land games scholarships. At the top of her list, she recommends preparing applications early (at least three months before the fall semester) and taking repeated classes with professors that can speak to your growth and skills over time within their written recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most important, Olusegun-Lartey said, is to choose carefully when searching for the right scholarship \u2014 \u201csearch based on your passions, your interests,\u201d she said. Gaming is a STEM degree, she added, but it\u2019s also an art. That opens the door for both STEM and creative scholarships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, keep your identity in mind when searching, from your ambitions for the future to the scholarships aimed at supporting those with marginalized identities. Tap into your network to find folks who have gone through the process \u2014 and work on throwing your network wide, because that can expose you to new opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Olusegun-Lartey, whose degree is in animation and visual effects, pursued the Generation Google Women for Games Scholarship as a way to explore whether her passion for playing games could translate to a career in the industry. As a recipient, it\u2019s had a tremendous impact on her outreach to the games community and industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cImmediately, when you win a scholarship, especially if you\u2019re not the only winner, you meet other people who are striving to achieve something in that industry,\u201d she said. \u201cI made friends. I was able to network with other people. I was able to see that gaming is actually where my interests and my strength lie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She found the scholarship kicked off a snowball effect, opening up opportunities for other scholarships in the field and increasing her viability as a candidate for prestigious internships like her current role. But even incremental progress has a compounding effect \u2014 and a slow start isn\u2019t a sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou need to understand that, first of all, the games industry has a smaller amount of roles than other industries, just in terms of numbers,\u201d she explained. \u201cIf you don\u2019t get the first, second, or third thing you go for, it\u2019s not a reflection of your skills. It doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re not fit for this industry. It might just mean that sometimes they don\u2019t have enough space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because you never know when and where your opportunity will crop up, she recommends staying on alert, setting LinkedIn reminders, and casting your net wide across your professors, classmates and friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The biggest piece of advice Olusegun-Lartey has, though, is to just focus on doing excellent work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPerfection is not possible, because no one is 100 percent perfect\u201d, she said. \u201cBut focus on making sure every game has your all. Give it a bit more of a push. People watch and see who\u2019s putting in the effort, who\u2019s paying attention, who\u2019s going the extra mile. These little things can make you stand out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To learn more about the Generation Google Scholarship, go to <\/strong><\/em>buildyourfuture.withgoogle.com<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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