Monday 1 April 2013

Meeting Sophia Coney

So I've been so tied up with work recently I haven't had chance to update you on some pretty cool stuff thats happened recently.
A few weeks ago I had an informal meeting with Sophia Coney, Director of Publishing and Operations at Lockwood Studios. Now its been a while since I met someone important so I was crapping myself a bit. Okay a lot.
http://www.sophiaconey.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiaconey
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/the-top-100-uk-women-in-video-games/0112138
But there was no need! I had a great time and she was so warm and friendly, I felt totally relaxed. As much as I had a great night and I got to meet someone pretty cool; an important thing happened for me.
Listening to what Sophia had to say I realised what I really wanted to do. Career wise obviously, I could see myself doing some of the jobs she was describing to me and to me it felt like I wasn't lost anymore. I felt like I'd found something to focus on and build towards. I mean I had always had an idea but I felt like perhaps that role I wanted was just a figment of my imagination? Or perhaps I thought I didn't stand a chance? I sometimes feel that my skills are not as valuable. But talking to Sophia (and Mike later) I realised that my skills are kind of rare and I do have a chance if I market myself properly. Which is just in time really as we are getting towards the end of the second year and I'll have to start planning for my FMP soon. It's strange really I feel like I've only just began to settle in and yet I'll be planning the end of my degree soon :(
I feel like since our talk I have had a huge burst of energy and I now have a goal. I feel like my eyes have been opened to all these things I didn't know about before. I think on our course you are only exposed to a certain set of job roles in the industry, which I am probably not suited to. But Sophia has given me some things to look into and research which I am. I have already trialed some of these techniques in my team meetings in the group project. Which went well :)
I wish I could have had this meeting one week prior to the group project then I wouldn't have let things slide that have :/ I would have structured things differently too. But hey theres still time to fix stuff :)
I feel like I can finally push my way through all the negativity on my course, put my blinkers on and work towards what I want.
Thank you so much Sophia :)