Thank you, GAMUCATEX, for a great 1 year internship!
Despite fond memories of previous jobs, GAMUCATEX has truly been my favourite workplace. Being a UX Researcher intern has been a learning experience relevant to my former studies in information science and my interest in UX.
Data collection and networking at The Royal Library (oct. 2023)
Perks of being an intern at game company GAMUCATEX
1. Balance
Your work is a great balance between sitting at the office working on tasks, for instance, writing in a Docs file, updating Trello cards, and attending meetings, but also standing by a booth in a Viking costume and networking at conventions. I have met interesting people and recruited participants for usability tests at places and events like Spilbar, The Royal Library, Ørestad Gymnasium and Historiske Dage
2. Autonomy
From day 1, I received lead UX tasks and had to take charge and make decisions for my department. This was done in a healthy manner and, therefore, came naturally to me. They treat you like a professional and ask for your opinion despite just being a “student intern”, and I think that is how you make someone shine.
3. Easygoing team
I know many companies like to describe their culture as informal and “like a family.” Is the team at GAMUCATEX a “family”? No, like most companies, but it is easy to work and communicate with co-workers. A lot of the communication happened on Discord, and yet the physical absence did not hinder effective communication, jokes, and online gaming together. That is not always common.
Thank you, Andreas Jørgensen, for giving me a shot and Daniel Theunissen, for being a great colleague!
My first week at my internship took place at Roskilde Festival (jun. 2023)
What I learned that I use in a future job position
1. Taking charge
Being given the authority to make decisions and it being necessary since it is a smaller start-up company enhanced my ability to take even more initiative and take charge.
2. Being adaptive
My first day at the internship back in June 2023 consisted of collecting data at The Circular Lab / Det Cirkulære Laboratorium in the middle of the Roskilde Festival. That happened without being a part of the planning process, without knowing the test product that well and at that time, I had never set foot in the music festival. I learned by “trial and error” and perfected the data collecting strategy and data storing system along the way.
3. Perfecting user research plans
Planning a user research plan from the start, then executing, analysing and presenting the findings to other teams throughout many projects and making mistakes made it easier to perfect the plan to make it go more smoothly.
Data collection and networking at The Historiske Dage with collaboration with Affecture.
Vasileia Kakavou, my former UX colleague to the left and me to the right.
What I can improve going forward
1. Boundaries
A user research scope needs to be small and precise. While it is normal to want to include the demands to test many different features and ask multiple questions requested from different departments, I learned that it is important to say "No" and keep the goals limited.
2. Kill your darlings
It is common for most to have an idea of how to utilise a plan, but sometimes, it is important to let go due to last-minute changes or technical issues.
3. Shorten reports for readability
While gathering information and facilitating different departments, I can get carried away by writing too-long reports. The information should have been shorter for everyone in the game company. I now know that it is wise to divide the information up into smaller reports since it’s easier to digest.
What now?
Now, I plan to pursue a job preferably in UX and project coordination to develop my skills in these areas further. So, if anyone can think of a position that fits me, do not hesitate to comment on this post with a link for a job post.
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