Cat Morgan is currently a software engineer for the Hearthstone development team. She got her start at Blizzard via a student internship in the summer of 2014, and was later hired to a full time position in 2015. She shares her personal career story below:

It wasn’t until college that I discovered my love for programming. Once I found my new major, I knew I had to be in the video game industry and if I was going to make video games, I wanted to be at Blizzard Entertainment. What drew me to Blizzard was the quality games that I loved playing; they allowed me to build new friendships and communities when I felt alone, and to explore fantasy worlds that excited me. Now that I’m a Software Engineer on Hearthstone, I want to share my journey so that I can help others discover new possibilities. 

My favorite part of working at Blizzard is the people. When I was a Test Engineer intern in Battle.net, I found lasting friendships and mentors that inspired me; the company felt like my family. I was so eager to get back to Blizzard after graduating. Everyone at Blizzard is passionate and commits to quality. They want to make the best product possible, from Hearthstone to internal tools, websites to esports. People are extremely open, friendly, and collaborative across the company. I’ve learned so much from my coworkers just by reaching out for coffee or lunch. My coworkers even taught me how to do my taxes! Working in such an inclusive culture helped me find one of my greatest passions: sharing my knowledge to help others work toward their dream.

So, when I was asked to join a panel at Across the STEMverse, hosted by Graduate Women in Science - Los Angeles, I was ecstatic to jump at the opportunity. The conference was aimed at young women in undergraduate and graduate school, as well as women professionals. The panel allowed me to discuss my career journey which I hope illuminated new opportunities for others. In addition to what I’ve learned, I wanted to talk about the struggles I’ve faced and how I overcame them. For example, I used to hold myself back because I had negative thoughts about my own capabilities. Once I recognized this, I could reach out for help and find people to support me so I could become a more confident team member. I realized the only person holding me back from greatness, was myself. I believe that talking about obstacles can help other people problem solve as well as let people feel not alone.

One of the things I learned from this experience is that across STEM fields, women often feel that they lack the qualifications for the job they have, as if they don’t belong. However, we are hired for a reason. Whether it is for our passion, skill, or ideas, we all have something to contribute. In addition, many women stated that they did not know their current career existed until late into their schooling or during a past career. This is partly due to lack of exposure in school, but also contributed by the lack of representation in media of women in STEM. By continuing to have discussions about women and minorities in STEM, we expose the problem to be open for solutions. Then, we can work together to create a space open to everyone.

I think it’s important to highlight inclusion in the technology industry because it shows groups to identify with; it’s easier to chase your dream when you have a role model. When you see someone who struggled or had similar experiences and achieved their dream, it’s easier to see yourself doing the same. Blizzard has always led the video game industry by pushing standards, and I know that our company can do the same for the workforce. I wanted to be at the forefront to learn from others so I can be more educated about the different issues to help push Blizzard forward, and to advocate for my positive experience at Blizzard.

The technology field is so large and diverse that there’s a job for almost everyone. Tech and game companies need nearly every expertise you can think of: Human Resources, Finance, Public Relations, Web Development, Tools Engineering, FX Artist- the list goes on. There’s a place for talented and passionate people with a wide range of different skills within technology and video games. If there’s something you want to change or you wish to see in the industry, the only way to change it is to start the change yourself.

It can be daunting to try to pursue a career when you might not know where to start. When I wasn’t sure how to get into the video game industry, I reached out to a local video game company to ask questions about the different fields available and what people did to achieve their position. The company invited me to their office for a day to shadow the team, which really opened my eyes to the industry. I learned it never hurts to reach out to recruiters on LinkedIn; it is also a great way to network. Job fairs, whether they are at a conference or a local college, are immensely helpful to get cover letter and resume reviews. Finally, take some time to go through open positions at different companies, read the descriptions and the requirements to understand what work you might need to do to qualify.

If you are eager to join our family, find something you love and do it every day. Share your passion with the world by writing a blog, posting your art, or sharing your code, and let us know about it on your resume or in your cover letter. Don’t be afraid because you will find someone who is inspired by you and you will find people to support you. The only way to get better is to practice and to get feedback to act on. The next step on your journey could be just one application away.

For more information about Blizzard Internships, visit the Student Programs site at: https://careers.blizzard.com/en-us/students