Lauren, Producer
I often forget the challenges that being a woman in a male dominated industry brings. I genuinely don’t pay attention to it 90% of the time. There have been a few occasions where I see the women around me doing so well, and feel an absolute sense of pride in regards to how far we have come to be represented, present, and listened to. I have heard stories of difficulties, and continue to see the prejudice on social media, but I am so fortunate to be in a workplace where I haven’t felt that struggle myself.
I’m extremely lucky that the person who has inspired my career, and helped me grow as a Producer – is someone I get to work with every day, Carol Clark.
Carol ensured I was given every opportunity at Tag Games, and dedicated time to help me understand game production. She encouraged my learning as an individual, and with peers. Having come from a different industry, it was a whirlwind of information. Since then she made exceptional efforts to help me understand the importance of culture – and how to work best with the people I engage with on a day-to-day basis. I feel so unbelievably lucky to have had this amazing support system directly for over 3.5 years. Carol has taken intentional steps to bring female Producers in the Dundee area together, to help create a support system that was not just contained within Tag Games. She inspires me every day with her strength, consideration, and at times, vulnerability. In truth, I wouldn’t be who I am today without her support and push to empower me to be a better Producer, and person.
To my younger self and all the women out there, I would offer this advice:
Try not to doubt yourself, your ability or compare yourself to other women. Everyone has their own journey, and yours will be completely unique to you. Remember to look up to others, admire, seek advice, community, mentorship etc. – but don’t beat yourself up over not getting to the same place as other people in the same timeframe. It will work out and you will learn so, so much.
