The invisible struggles

New Horizons - Internship at Games Universe

Maya's internship day at Games Univers was expected to be both exciting and intimidating. It was an opportunity for her to dive into the world of video games, a field she had passionately loved for years. However, as she entered the company on her first day, she felt a hint of apprehension.

The office was modern, with giant screens displaying trailers of recent games, and workstations equipped with the latest gaming technology. Maya was welcomed by Sarah, the manager of the interns, who showed her around and briefly introduced her to the team. "Welcome to Games Univers, Maya! We are delighted to have you with us," Sarah said with a warm smile.

Maya, a bit shy at first, returned Sarah's smile. She was impressed by the dynamic atmosphere of the place, but she also felt a certain distance from her new colleagues. Everyone seemed focused on their work, absorbed in lines of code, level designs, or game testing. At first, Maya found it difficult to fit in. Her attempts to engage in conversation with her colleagues during breaks often received brief and uninviting responses. She began to wonder if she was doing something wrong or if she did not meet their expectations.

One day, after spending the morning testing features on a new game in development, Maya decided to approach Sarah to express her concerns. "Sarah, I sometimes feel a bit isolated here. I really want to integrate and contribute, but I have the impression that my colleagues are not very open," Maya admitted with a hint of nervousness.

Sarah listened attentively and then gave her a compassionate look. "Maya, I understand. Sometimes it takes a little time to get used to the dynamics of the team. But I can assure you, it's not personal."

She explained that many of her colleagues were so passionate about video games that they sometimes preferred concentration to socialization. "They are all very dedicated to their work here, but once they see that you share this passion and are serious about what you do, you'll quickly be accepted," Sarah added with an encouraging smile.

Encouraged by Sarah's words, Maya decided to change her approach. Instead of feeling rejected, she chose to focus on her work with even more determination. She spent hours testing the games, providing detailed feedback on game mechanics, and coming up with creative ideas to improve the user experience.

Gradually, she began to notice a change. Her colleagues started including her more in technical discussions and asking for her opinions on specific aspects of the games. She made friends with some of them during lunches or after-work gatherings, discovering that they shared not only a passion for video games but also personal interests and fascinating life stories.

A defining moment for Maya came when the entire team faced a complex level design challenge for a game in development. Maya, encouraged by Sarah and her colleagues, proposed an innovative solution that addressed the problem in an elegant and efficient way. During the team meeting where her solution was presented, Maya felt a wave of pride and recognition. Her colleagues applauded her contribution, realizing that she was an important part of the team despite her intern status.

At the end of her internship at Games Univers, Maya left the company feeling a sense of success and accomplishment. Not only had she learned a lot about the video game industry, but she had also developed valuable interpersonal skills and earned the trust of her colleagues. On her last day, Sarah approached her with a sincere smile. "Maya, you have made incredible progress here. I'm really proud of everything you've accomplished."

Maya thanked her warmly, her eyes shining with emotion. "Thank you, Sarah. This internship was a great experience for me."

As she left Games Univers that day, Maya was greeted by a joyful clamor. Elena, Lucas, and Alexandre were there, with balloons and a large banner reading "Bravo Maya!" Maya couldn't help but smile brightly when she saw them. "Oh wow, you came!" she exclaimed, hugging them in turn.

Elena returned her embrace with enthusiasm. "Of course we came! We wanted to celebrate with you. How was your last day?"

They headed to a nearby café, where Maya shared everything: the challenges, the moments of satisfaction, and how she had managed to connect with her colleagues despite the difficult beginnings. She talked about what she had learned about herself and the difference between reality and the virtual world.

"It was an incredible experience, really," Maya concluded with emotion. "This internship really helped me grow. I realized that I am not alone in retreating into the world of games. There is so much more to discover in real life, especially when you have friends like you to make it special."

Lucas smiled warmly. "We are so proud of you, Maya. You've really made giant strides."

Alexander nodded. "You overcame obstacles and came out stronger. That's admirable."

Elena took Maya's hand gently. "You see, Maya, you've found a balance. You love games, but you also appreciate what real life has to offer. It's wonderful to see you evolve like this."

Maya felt a deep gratitude towards her friends, who had been there for her at every step of this journey of personal growth. They shared a toast, raising their glasses to celebrate not only the successful end of Maya's internship but also their unwavering friendship that had weathered many trials.