1 . Do you enjoy playing video games? Have you ever thought about what it would be like to design them for a living? Let’s talk with Mitu Khandaker to learn about her cool career as a video game designer.

What’s it like to be a game designer?

Being a game designer is like wearing a lot of different hats at once.     1    . Another minute, I might be solving a design problem, or creating art. The other part of the job is working with people. It’s very collaborative (协作的).

What makes a great game designer?

The best game designers are people who have a wide range of interests, because you want to bring those into games.     2    , but you might also be someone who loves painting or writing stories, or making music, or even just listening to music. For instance, I love listening to hip-hop and rap. Whatever your interests are, there is a space for that in games to tell these amazing new stories.

    3    ?

I would love for my work to change the way people think about representation in games. I’m all about telling stories that make people feel seen. For me, growing up as a little brown girl, I didn’t see any characters who looked like me.     4    .

What’s your advice for future game designers?

    5    , if you want to be a game designer. If you like writing stories, or you like drawing or painting or designing board games—whatever it is—there is a place for you in games. Don’t take no for an answer. That’s how I got to where I am.

2 . Ways to Come Back Ready for Work After a Vacation

You finally took a break from work and went on a well-deserved vacation.     1    . But, going back to work is unavoidable. The following are some tips that may make your transition smoother.

    2    . Everyone needs some time to get back into quantities of things. If you can, take a day or two to relax and recover before heading back into the office.

Ease your way back into work. Take some time to plan out your day. Make a to-do list with everything you know you need to do and prioritize (确定优先顺序) what needs to be done. Focus on doing what you know how to do and what requires the least amount of time.     3    . Remember, you’re taking one step at a time.

Go to work with a new set of eyes. Maybe you were frustrated with a task before you went on vacation because you couldn’t make it work. After being away from it for a while, you can look at it differently and offer a new perspective.    4    .

Take breaks during the day.     5    . Don’t let guilt force you into believing that you have to work yourself into the ground because you were away. Be kind to yourself. Take about a five- or ten-minute break every three hours to relax.

4 . Choosing a career is one of those important decisions that can change the course of your life.    1     Ample information and self-examination can help you choose a satisfying career that you will enjoy for years to come. If you feel confused about picking a career, you're not alone. We're here to help!

Evaluate your work style. The right career for you will be suited to your work style. Do you need the discipline of a structured work environment to do your best?    2     There are, of course, other factors that affect your job performance. But, your natural work style plays a big role.

Identify your skills. Every career requires a different skill set. Sales managers need great leadership skills, and teachers need to be able to communicate effectively with both students and parents.    3    List every talent and skill you have, even if it doesn't seem like it will help you get a job.

    4     What do you want out of a career? Do you want to help other people? Do you want to travel? How much money do you want to make? Of course, what you want to achieve often changes over time, and things that were once extremely important become less so.

Remember that things can change. There are a million "Best Careers" lists out there that will say you should have a certain career because you will make a certain amount of money with it.     5     There might be a lot of demand for a job now, but what about in 10 years? Don't choose a job just because it's number one on a list somewhere. Things can change over time, and the job that was once number one might end up not even making the list a few years from now.